Drag may be under fire today by the enforcers of “family values,” but in the early 1900s female impersonators were the mainstay of family entertainment — on the vaudeville stage and the silver screen. Julian Eltinge, largely forgotten today, was hailed as America's greatest female impersonator at that time, entertaining audiences in the United States and Europe with perfect displays of feminine grace and manners.
In a conversation with journalist David Hunt, historian Andrew L. Erdman, author of "Beautiful: The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator," shares fascinating insights into Eltinge's unique ability to engage audiences with his charismatic and boundary-pushing performances. Erdman explains how Eltinge's portrayals of women offered a thrilling yet non-transgressive lens through which audiences, especially men, could rethink societal norms.
As we trace Eltinge's transition from vaudeville to the silver screen, we uncover the challenges he faced in an evolving cultural landscape post-World War I. The shifting societal views on gender and sexuality, along with the decline of vaudeville, posed significant hurdles for his career. Yet, Eltinge's legacy remains an intriguing chapter in entertainment history.
This feature originally aired on This Way Out: The International LGBTQ Radio Magazine.

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David Hunt is an Emmy-winning journalist and documentary producer who has reported on America's culture wars since the 1970s. Explore his blog, Tell Me, David.