Sunday, December 11, 2005

Club Pinup Presents Bernie Dexter

Bernie Dexter
(born from a long stock of beauties)

"I love champagne especially with potato chips!!"

Pretty girls don't happen over night, there made up of generations of good stuff. One look at a photo of Bernie's Mother and Grandmother you would understand. It didn't happen overnight ...

Take one sailor on leave falling in love with a young sultry burlesque dancer and shortly thereafter you get Bernie Belle future model extraordinaire.

Bernie's fascination with pinup culture started at an early age watching her mother transform from mother of a young 5 year old to sexy vixen. A great fan of Sunday morning movies Bernie started to see the world in Technicolor. The glamorous dancing singing actresses of the screen gave her the itch, and shortly thereafter she was getting her own Dancing and acting lessons.


By the age of 12 her mother entered Bernie in her first beauty pageant, and she learned the basics of modeling, poise, balance and proper walking form. Bernie continued the pageant circuit till the age of 18 winning such titles as 'Miss Teen San Diego County U.S.A.'

Around the time of the end of Bernie's retirement from pageant life, she entered the world of the Rockabilly music revival. A scene that is much a lifestyle of looks, attitude, and cars as that of the music itself. Attending cosmetology school Bernie worked as a hairdresser, attending photo shoots doing makeup, wardrobe, and set design. Soon all this started to meld together to make something special.

The body of a dancer, confidence of an actress, Poise and body awareness of a pageant contestant, Schooled in cosmetology, self taught aficionado of the golden age of glamour and pinup culture. There was obvious direction to go.

Retro Pinup Model! and what a knockout she is.


Bernie has posed for many magazines and websites since her beginning in modeling. Appearing on the cover of
Barracuda and Koolsville magazine, you can find her on websites such as Retroradar.com, Evelyns1955.com, lucyb.com and many more. In a short time Bernie Dexter has made a name for herself, and can be found very easily.
"I just love being a pinup and getting in front of that camera"

Thursday, December 08, 2005

The Modern Pinup

About ten years ago I decide I was going to collect a digital image or scan of every woman who graced the pages of Playboy. Well it is a daunting and never ending task, I would say I am about 85% complete. Consequently if you would like a copy of my collection email me at ricandrews@msn.com we ca work something out. I was acquiring photos by many means which I wont get into but I came across an interesting picture that stopped me in my tracks.
picture here

It struck me, milky white skin, Bettie Page bangs, garters. This wasn't your regular model. The name was spelled Dieta Von Teese, which was misspelled correct spelling is Dita Von Teese (I believe) and didn't help me in my search for more images. After a few tens of thousands I started to have a collection maybe 8 or 10. I still didn't know was it Dita or Dieta? Who knows it wasn't important, I just knew I was a fan. I knew she was a fairly mainstream model cause she kept popping up on newsgroups and sites where guys like me hunt and trade photos, and she was already featured in Playboy lingerie catalogs and photo shoots.

Here is what was special, Dita was the first professional model that I saw that had a Retro Pinup look. As she became more popular, she started to lean much more towards the 40's and 50's style of Pinup and Club photography. I would guess that as you build clout as a model you get a little more say in how you would like to be photographed. I would be interested to ask her ... hmm never mind.


In the time that I have been writing about Pinup culture and history on the net (10 years now) I have always noticed model sites on the internet. Young ladies trying to promote themselves on the internet. I have always been a big fan of that, but it has only been in the last 5 years that you are starting to see a strong force of the new Retro Model.

What is interesting, is this. Women models of the new retro genre always mention the feelings of beauty, playfulness, femininity and empowerment they get when they talk of models like Bettie Page or others. Somehow they feel that what they do is different than an ordinary model. The truth is there is. Here is my theory.

Pinup modeling and Burlesque of the 40's and 50's was a business fueled by a male market. Men bought the magazines and men paid to see the shows. Much as it is today. As tame as those magazines and shows seem today, it was very risqué and drew a much different customer than it does today. Those magazines that I proudly show to guests in my home, and display on my walls, were hidden under mattresses and deep inside of closets then. What that era represented then is not what we think it is today. As times change, taste and culture changes. Younger pinup and burlesque stars started baring more and entertaining less. Men's magazines quit being cute and fun and started to look more like gynecological exams. Even pornography has become less fun lately, there seems to be no imagination or fantasy left in modeling anymore. There is still some though. You just need to be determined, discriminating, and dedicated, and you will find the good stuff. So if you think the good stuff is the gynecological exam photo, or the porn flick with no plot, then sadly your on the wrong web page.

So I salute you, they new and bold Retro, Fetish, Burlesque model. Who shows us the most beautiful parts of the female creature, strength, beauty, sensuality, and playfulness. Doing it all while still leaving a sense of mystery. What you are doing is different, and alot more meaningful to many. It is artful, it is beautiful, and it does deserve to hang on the walls of my house :) hehe
Best luck in your careers, and thanks for all your hard work.

Oh if you are a Retro, Fetish, Cheesecake, Glamour Model, and would like me to do a special section or biography on you in the fashion of the classic models on my site, send me an email. I will advertise and display you in the utmost of respect.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Club Pinup Biography Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield
(Larger than Life)

"I like being a pin-up girl. There's nothing wrong with it."

Born Vera Jayne Palmer at the whopping weight of ten pounds in Bryn Marr Pennsylvania, Jayne was big at birth and bound to be big in life.

Things started fast for Jayne, developing her figure at an early age, and gaining attention from the boys. Getting pregnant while still in High School at the age of 17. Quickly marrying her boyfriend Paul Mansfield, Jayne completed high school, and shortly there after gave birth to her first daughter, Jayne Marie.

Paul got drafted in the Korean war and in his absence Jayne attended acting schools in California and Texas. All the while taking advantage of military and campus beauty contests and art modeling projects which didn't always sit well with her husband. While Jayne made a few Hollywood auditions, and started the pursuit of her acting modeling career. Paul started to feel distanced, and asked her to make the career or marriage decision. Jayne chose the career, and quickly became a notorious party crasher, at swanky Hollywood events.

One thing that sealed Jayne's stardom was her dogged determination. She was once quoted as saying. "Ever since I was a little girl I was convinced I would be a star. I haven't got there yet, but I will. It's 80% determination and 20% talent." Using this plan, Jayne took every job, entered every pageant, and pulled every stunt that was available to her. In her later years she would be tagged as a show boater, and shameless self promoter. Some even accused her of staging a terrible boating accident and stranding, as a stunt for publicity.

Hard worked paid off, Jayne made a string of appearances in movies around 1955. Strangely her first big break was not in Hollywood but in New York city, in the Broadway play 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter' Critics loved her great comedic timing, and incredible figure.

On May 26, 1956 Jayne was attending a Mae West show when she met her love Mickey Hargitay, the 6' 2" 245lb Mr. Universe of 1955 . He was one of the muscle men that was in Mae's show. Mae West was a notoriously possessive and jealous woman, when hearing of Jayne and Mickey's romance instructed Mickey to publicly announce his love for Mae. At the press conference Mickey did the opposite and proclaimed his undying love for Jayne Mansfield, and was promptly knocked out of his chair by another one of Mae's muscle men.

20th Century Fox, sought after Jayne at this time, and though they were a little wary of her publicity antics she was hired on and given the star role in the Film version of 'The Girl Can't Help it'. Shortly thereafter the movie version of 'Will success Spoil Rock Hunter' with Tony Randall was made. Those two films are the best of Jayne's work both of them were comedies that played off of her well endowed features. Later Tony Randall remarked that Jayne played a caricature of Marilyn Monroe that became an old joke very fast, and which very soon became a tragic joke.
After her Cinematic climax of 1956 1957, Jayne fell back in to shameless self promotion. Some efforts were legendary, and some were forget ably embarrassing. Her most famous stunt was the welcome to California she extended to Sophia Loren at the Romanoff Room in Hollywood, to commemorate her first big American film. Jayne went to Sophia's table with the press at hand, and congratulated her on her success, while meanwhile dropping her cleavage in Sophia, and the Camera's face. The pictures are classic, Jayne in all her glory while Sophia looks as if she doesn't know what to say.

The comparisons to other actresses and models went on and so did the bosom battles of who had the largest figure, and the most ample talents. Sadly the work and caliber of movies she received were ever diminishing in quality and quantity. It seemed the caricature was wearing thin.

Jayne Star slowly fizzled, she performed more and more poor career choices. She posed nude for Playboy numerous times, each time revealing more, and did a nude movie scene which was very risqué at that time. None of them seemed to do anything to stop the downward spiral. She broke off her relationship with Mickey Hargitay for Enrico "Boom Boom" Bomba a film producer in Rome. That did not last long nor help her career.

At 2:15 am on June 29th 1967 died in a car accident on the way to New Orleans. Jayne Always lived larger than life and after that point she entered the realm of Cult Super Stardom. She lived an incredible life of lavishness, driven by her desire to be a star.

"If you're going to do something wrong, do it big, because the punishment is the same either way."

Hope you enjoyed the bio I providedwrite me at ricandrews@msn.com, if you would like to talk about Jayne Mansfield, trade pictures or add info to this site, thanks Ric

Saturday, December 03, 2005

What is it with Jayne Mansfield?

I have been reluctantly writing a biography on Jayne Mansfield for the website. I say reluctantly because, some strange reason I have never been a huge fan of Jayne, but I know she is hugely popular with visitors to Club Pinup. So as I was doing my research, reading articles, biographies, and watching her on film, I tried to figure out why. Visually there is not much to complain about, especially when she was young, a complete knockout, incredible figure and face to match. So whats the problem?

I started to find the answer as I watched her on film. She did make some noteworthy films. The Girl Cant Help it and Will Sucsess Spoil Rock Hunter, but as I watched I started to notice some things. Her motions seemed to be mechanical and contrived, like she wasn't that comfortable in her body. I am not talking about her acting skills, which isn't her strong point. I noticed even when she walked posed or spoke in film or stage every move seemed scripted, just slightly askew. You had to watch really close though.

So I watched some Marilyn Monroe film footage, now that is smooth. Marilyn seemed to really be in her skin. Even if the moves or poses were contrived or scripted. She sold it. When you watch Marilyn there is something really sensual about her. Acting aside, you get the impression that in the real world Marilyn was really comfortable with her body, the movements and sensuality was all just natural. Maybe that's just acting, beats me.

Thinking of this reminded me of the women I have known and dated in my real life. I have not always been pulled into a woman by mere looks alone. Well at first I am, just like any other man. Here is an example of someone I knew that was beyond physical beauty.

There was once a girl from my work place, we will call 'Lady Red'. When she arrived, every man at work was instantly magnetized. Now Lady Red was fairly flat chested, small chin, triangular face, and a little too hippy, but something about her was utterly distracting. Distracting to all the men who knew her not just me. She had a slightly southern accent, and a sleepy expression. Once you met her she had a carefree attitude, liked to party, and conversationally very open. She had this amazingly slow blink also, it was almost like the blink that Jeannie does on "I dream of Jeanne" You just wanted her attention any time you saw her. There was not a masculine thing about her, 100 percent woman, walk, talk, and attitude. It wasn't her looks but she emitted some strange pheramone that made men crazy.

As I looked around recently at other women that I know, I started to see it in others. Some not as strongly as Lady Red, or even Marilyn, but it was there.

So where is this going ... I am not sure, I guess the moral is, be observant. Women are amazing creatures, and should be appreciated, and adored. Learn the finer points beyond the physical beauty. I believe Sensuality is from within. So was Jayne Mansfield a complete Bombshell of a lady? I believe so, millions of men could not be wrong. Was she the most sensual woman in tune with her body and mind. My opinion is no.

Disagree post a message.

Ric