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Annette Kellerman Halter and Bare Midriff

Hollywood
c. 1917 AK1L50

Costume
   Fancy bra and skirted pantaloons. Low heels. Bird.

   TM. N-3.

Actions
   Kellerman, dressed in a harem/Egyptian/South Sea costume converses with a bird (1). The bird suggests an Egyptian motif, although metaphors in this period do get blended. This is a rare bare-midriff Kellerman, and one with a "low rise" waistline that diamonds the navel (2). With the border (3).

Commentary
   Details on this picture are unknown although it could be a movie publicity still in which Kellerman plays one of her Queenly roles. It is not her only bare belly (AK1620), but it is a different context, one popular of the late 1910s. But Kellerman will continue to play mermaids (AK1850).

Source
   One source, artgallery.sa.gov.au, estimates it to be 1915. Collection of Screensound Australia, downloaded Internet, 2006. The postcard is from flickr bobster1985, 2009. Possibly this is the character Shona Royale in Venus of the South Seas, Hollywood, 1924. 3 pictures.
AK1L5050.JPG AK1L50_62_Annette_Kellerman.JPG AK1L50_60_Annette_Kellerman.JPG