Freddie Forbes in drag impersonating Clara Bow. Photographic postcard by Fielding, 1929.

Freddie Forbes 1929 [?]

He wears a comical expression, as he rolls his eyes, having styled hair and dark lipstick. A boldly autographed card showing Freddie Forbes (1896-1952) in the revue 'Between ourselves', at the Leeds Empire, 21-26 January 1929. Freddie is channelling Clara Bow, then at the height of her fame as Hollywood's 'It' girl, the 'It' being 'sex appeal', which she possessed in spades. She was easily recognisable with her trademark short curly red hair and cupid's bow lipstick, as so accurately parodied here. Freddie featured in several revues and minor British films into the 1930s, but as a character actor, not a drag artist (James Gardiner)

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

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Item Information:

Identifier: d504rk581
Collection: James Gardiner 20th Century Drag Postcards
Institution: Wellcome Library
Date Issued: Jan. 1, 1929
Genre: Photographs
Prints
Topic(s): Female impersonators
Resource Type: Still Image
Analog Format: 1 photograph : photoprint ;
Rights: Copyright undetermined
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