Zorita
stories from my first book & film "Pretty Things: The Last Generation of American Burlesque Queens"
Zorita is a true broad if I’ve ever met one, and believe me, I’ve met a few. We begin our correspondence through letters and phone calls. She gave me strict orders never to call between 7 and 8 p.m., as she would be watching her favorite television show Jeopardy. Zorita signs her letters to me with a snakehead turning into a “Z.” She retired on five acres in Florida purchased with income from General Motor stock, gifts from men trying to bed her—even though she preferred women. The first time we spoke she told me that she would never “shack up” with anyone unless they gave her stock shares in return.
Zorita had two 8-foot long boa constrictors, Oscar & Elmer, with whom she performed her famous “snake dance” aka “Consummation of the Wedding of the Snake.” A synopsis: A gorgeous young maiden is going to be sold into slavery to an ugly old man. Instead she dances with a snake, gets bitten and dies. (The ironic use of “ die” unconsciously mimicking Shakespearean double entendres where the word “die” doubles for “orgasm.”) Zorita re-enacted the number for me in a step-by-step monologue, replete with grinding and orgasm moans as the wedding reaches its “consummation.” Her act was a grand success, causing instant acclaim and controversy. Soon Zorita was racking up inches in Walter Winchell’s column, consorting with Orson Welles and showing Lana Turner her snakes’ charms.
Zorita’s attitude and openness about her sexuality did not sit well with 1940s theater owners, who wanted her to maintain her heteronormative sex goddess status off-stage as well. She told me that, “One time I came out of the Empire Theater, and the three owners of the theaters, were standing there. I came out in a butchy suit and they said to me, ‘Do you have to come out dressed like that by the stage door?’ I said, ‘Look, when I’m on your stage, I wear 19,000 ruffles. I do my act. When I come out on my own time, I wear what I want to. If you don’t like it, kiss this.’”
At 83, Zorita was still a terrific flirt. I can picture how heads must have turned when she walked onstage. One day she had me try on one of her old costumes, a floor length white beaded gown with hooks up the back for easy undress. She helped me into the dress in her bedroom, telling me that she’d seen “a million knockers” when I turn my back to her as I undress.
Beyond the paywall are…. photos and stories of Zorita from Pretty Things you can’t see anywhere else, including tales of Zorita’s “dyke book” which featured her conquests (including some of the stars she bedded;) and… a film clip of Zorita & I in the above “g string” scene… not to be shared or reproduced. All rights copyrighted Liz Goldwyn Films, thanks and xoxo