As you are reading China Dolls, you might want to take a look at some of these sites for some visuals of Treasure Island & the Pan- Pacific Exposition, and also of the real Forbidden City nightclub … Enjoy!
Pictures from Sally Rand’s Nude Ranch
Within its first six days of operation, Sally Rand's Nude Ranch drew in 63,449 patrons. There was no seating; patrons passed through the venue to peer through glass enclosures at topless cowgirls doing lasso tricks, feeding baby farm animals and playing badminton. Admission was 25 cents. Sally Rand is featured in three of these postcards. She is the only woman who is fully clothed.
Island History Events, Small Exhibits,
and the Forthcoming Re-establishment of the Museum
Treasure Island scenes - before the fair
The Golden Gate Exposition - after the party. 1940
photos
Photo Gallery: Treasure Island, CA (Golden Gate Intl. Expo)
Forbidden City Nightclub, the world-renown Chinese American nightclub in San Francisco, ca. 1938-1962.
Arthur Dong presents "Forbidden City, U.S.A." at the San Francisco Public Library (24 min)
Lisa See at the San Francisco Public Library (30)
Forbidden City Nightclub impresario, Charlie Low, plays off the "Chinaman" stereotype in this 1947 travelogue about San Francisco's Chinatown
The Forbidden City: Old Chinatown's Burlesque Club
some great images of posters and shows at the Forbidden City
will also be posted on http://badgreading.blogspot.com
