Faith Bacon
Encyclopedia
Faith Bacon was an American
starlet turned burlesque dancer.
to Francis Page Bacon and his wife, Charmion, who married in September 1909. The couple divorced several years later.
in Earl Carroll's Vanities, Fioretta, Earl Carroll's Sketch Book
and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931
.
As a burlesque dancer, she used such aids as ostrich fans, flowers and bubbles, all against an often smoky spotlight. In 1933, Bacon competed with Sally Rand
as fan-dancers at the World's Fair
.
However, after the Fair, her star faded. Her sole known celluloid (film) role was in the 1938 film, Prison Train
(as "Maxine"). In 1954, she took an overdose of sleeping pills. In 1956 she came to Chicago
from Erie, Pennsylvania
and checked into the Alan Hotel. She looked for work, but could not find any work.
Her effects reportedly comprised “[M]iscellaneous clothing, one white metal ring, train ticket to Erie, Pa., and 85 cents”, and a pair of rented fans.
When relatives could not be located, the American Guild of Variety Artists
claimed her body and arranged for burial.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
starlet turned burlesque dancer.
Background
Genealogy research including census records appear to indicate that Bacon was born as Frances Yvonne Bacon on July 19, 1910 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
to Francis Page Bacon and his wife, Charmion, who married in September 1909. The couple divorced several years later.
Career
Between 1928 and 1931, Bacon appeared on BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in Earl Carroll's Vanities, Fioretta, Earl Carroll's Sketch Book
Earl Carroll
Earl Carroll was an American theatrical producer, director, songwriter and composer born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Career:...
and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
.
As a burlesque dancer, she used such aids as ostrich fans, flowers and bubbles, all against an often smoky spotlight. In 1933, Bacon competed with Sally Rand
Sally Rand
Sally Rand was a burlesque dancer and actress, most noted for her ostrich feather fan dance and balloon bubble dance. She also performed under the name Billie Beck.-Early life and career:...
as fan-dancers at the World's Fair
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
.
However, after the Fair, her star faded. Her sole known celluloid (film) role was in the 1938 film, Prison Train
Prison Train
- Cast :*Fred Keating as Frankie Terris*Dorothy Comingore as Louise Terris*Clarence Muse as Train Steward / Sam*Faith Bacon as Maxine*Alexander Leftwich as Manny Robbins*James Blakeley as Joe Robbins*Sam Bernard as George*John Pearson as Red...
(as "Maxine"). In 1954, she took an overdose of sleeping pills. In 1956 she came to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
from Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
and checked into the Alan Hotel. She looked for work, but could not find any work.
Death
Shortly after midnight on September 26, 1956, she was walking down the stairs of the hotel between the fourth and third floors and suddenly opened a window. As a friend grabbed at her skirt, she tore loose and jumped out the window. Her body landed on the roof of a one-story saloon next door. She was 46 years old. Her friend told reporters that Bacon “wanted the spotlight again. She would have taken any kind of work in show business.”Her effects reportedly comprised “[M]iscellaneous clothing, one white metal ring, train ticket to Erie, Pa., and 85 cents”, and a pair of rented fans.
When relatives could not be located, the American Guild of Variety Artists
American Guild of Variety Artists
American Guild of Variety Artists is an American entertainment union representing performers in variety entertainment, including circuses, Las Vegas showrooms and cabarets, comedy showcases, dance revues, magic shows, theme park shows, and arena and auditorium extravaganzas. It awards the "Georgie...
claimed her body and arranged for burial.