Tommie Rose in drag. Photograph, 1948.

Tommie Rose. Debrons Theatrical Photographers. Adelphi Chambers, Fylde Street, Preston

Part of James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled ‘Drag’.

The actor in drag wears heavy make-up and a diaphanous scarf around his styled blonde hair; gazing upwards. A small publicity photograph of Tommie Rose (1916-2004), one of the most successful and respected drag performers to come out of, firstly ENSA, in World War II, and then the series of successful touring revues starring ex-servicemen in drag which ran on into the 1950s. Tommie scored a great personal success in 'Tokyo Express'. This photograph shows him in 'Find the lady', 1948, and gives some idea of how convincing he was as a woman (James Gardiner)

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View At: https://wellcomelibrary.org/item/b20452895
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Item Information:

Identifier: r207tp64p
Collection: James Gardiner 20th Century Drag Postcards
Institution: Wellcome Library
Date Issued: Jan. 1, 1948
Genre: Photographs
Prints
Topic(s): Female impersonators
Resource Type: Still Image
Analog Format: 1 photograph : photoprint ;
Rights: Copyright undetermined
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