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Bettie Page: The Lost Years: An Intimate Look at the Queen of Pinups, through her Private Letters & Never-Published Photos
When the documentary Bettie Page Reveals All was released in 2013, it would have been easy to assume we would never again hear directly from the adored icon. After all, the film is narrated by Bettie Mae Page herself, and she spills on lots of subjects that she had previously kept private–even in her authorized biography–though she does maintain her own decades-long, no-photos rule in the movie. She loathed the effects of aging, said it made her sad to see her own celebrity idols when they were older, and wanted people to remember her as she looked in her pinup days.
Fortunately for the hordes of Bettie fans worldwide, a bounty of unreleased Bettie material awaits. For years–since before Bettie’s death from heart failure in December 2008 at the age of 85–boxes and file folders of Bettie mementoes have been gathering dust in the closets of Bettie’s nephew’s house.
Ron Brem, a musician living in Bakersfield, California, is the only child of Bettie’s beloved sister, Goldie Jane Page. Bettie never had kids, other than three stepchildren during one of her four marriages to three men (she married one twice). Goldie was also an aspiring model and actress but later settled into housewifery before eventually becoming an art teacher and gallery owner. She died during the summer of 2004, but in the several years before her death, she had carefully stored heaps of incredible family photos, the bulk of which feature Bettie as either the sole subject or part of the shot. None of these hundreds of photos has ever been published until now, and few people even know they exist. Goldie also saved approximately 29 letters from Bettie spanning the years 1949 to 2000, ranging in length from note-size to 18 full pages, which tell the unknown story of Bettie’s “lost years” following her retirement from modeling in 1957.
Fortunately for the hordes of Bettie fans worldwide, a bounty of unreleased Bettie material awaits. For years–since before Bettie’s death from heart failure in December 2008 at the age of 85–boxes and file folders of Bettie mementoes have been gathering dust in the closets of Bettie’s nephew’s house.
Ron Brem, a musician living in Bakersfield, California, is the only child of Bettie’s beloved sister, Goldie Jane Page. Bettie never had kids, other than three stepchildren during one of her four marriages to three men (she married one twice). Goldie was also an aspiring model and actress but later settled into housewifery before eventually becoming an art teacher and gallery owner. She died during the summer of 2004, but in the several years before her death, she had carefully stored heaps of incredible family photos, the bulk of which feature Bettie as either the sole subject or part of the shot. None of these hundreds of photos has ever been published until now, and few people even know they exist. Goldie also saved approximately 29 letters from Bettie spanning the years 1949 to 2000, ranging in length from note-size to 18 full pages, which tell the unknown story of Bettie’s “lost years” following her retirement from modeling in 1957.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 6, 2018
I found this to be an intimate look at the life of Bettie Page. There were thing fans have always wanted to know about the pin-up icon through the years, seeing her pictures. She grew in fame yet became ever more reclusive as she aged and felt more insecure about how she looked, so she shunned the spotlight and avoided having pictures taken. Almost everyone has seen pictures of her in yer heyday and wondered about what she’s like and what her life is like after her modeling days, I know I have. Heck, I even share a birthday with her (April 22) although she was born back in 1923 and her modeling career had ended before I was born.
This book is filled with pictures of her and her sister Goldie that Goldie had saved and put away, among other family pictures included and also has letters written to family by Bettie that give insight into the years after her career. Together they form a memoir of Bettie Page that is surprising and a rare look into her life. It details her battles with aging, money struggles, how she was studying in different areas and working to be positive and maintain good health, among other things. I found it interesting to say the least, and enjoyed it. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by #netgalley, author Tori Rodriguez, and the publisher for my fair review.
Lyons Press
Pub: Nov. 5th, 2018
My Bookzone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This book is filled with pictures of her and her sister Goldie that Goldie had saved and put away, among other family pictures included and also has letters written to family by Bettie that give insight into the years after her career. Together they form a memoir of Bettie Page that is surprising and a rare look into her life. It details her battles with aging, money struggles, how she was studying in different areas and working to be positive and maintain good health, among other things. I found it interesting to say the least, and enjoyed it. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by #netgalley, author Tori Rodriguez, and the publisher for my fair review.
Lyons Press
Pub: Nov. 5th, 2018
My Bookzone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
November 28, 2018
“Bettie Page: The Lost Years” (2018) is the second book written by Tori Rodriguez about the life of the pin-up queen icon Bettie Page (1923-2004). Rodriguez, a journalist, therapist and fitness expert manages Betty Page fan clubs and websites. Bettie Page’s nephew Ron Brem has provided new material for this oversized lavish pictorial volume. Recommended by a friend, I didn’t want to miss this book. Many thanks to The National Book Network via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
Like many new Bettie Page fans, I had never heard of her until I purchased a shopping bag and trading cards with her image. With her dark curly hair, trademark bangs sparkling blue eyes, perfect figure, engaging smile and vintage costume—she simply stood apart from the celebrity actresses’ and models of her era. It was apparent Bettie loved to entertain, there was a unique dazzling charm about her, and her dancing and modeling was always tastefully done with style and class-- her fans loved her!
Bettie was from Nashville, Tennessee and remained close to her sister Goldie and her brother Jimmie throughout her life. Bettie’s career was very brief; she retired from the spotlight in 1957, was married four times and had no children. Featured in the popular cult classic “Teaserama” (1955), she was discovered by the photographer Irving Klaw. Most of the earliest photos and snapshots were taken by unknown photographers on Coney Island, and she worked for various modeling agencies before also being cast in movies.
Bettie was plagued by health problems as she aged, mainly related to arthritis that restricted her mobility, yet she exercised and maintained a healthy diet. Bettie embraced the Christian faith, and volunteered at the Billy Graham Crusades. Later on, she experienced mental health problems and was admitted twice to the Patton Psychiatric State Hospital in San Bernardino County, CA. There were copies of letters Bettie wrote detailing her stay at Patton, she seemed to be stable and reasonably happy, though she distanced herself from her fans and did not wish to be seen publically as she aged, preferring that fans remember her when she was young and beautiful.
This book contains memorabilia and personal family photos from Ron Brem’s collection. The book is more of a tribute to his mother and her relationship with Bettie. Both sisters modeled and danced burlesque together, Goldie promptly quit working when she married, by this time Bettie had been divorced from her first husband Billy Neal (1947) as her career as a famous iconic “Queen of Pinup’s” began in the early 1950’s.The photo spread in the conclusion of the book features Goldie (who later changed her name to Gloria) and not Bettie. Still, this is an important well organized book containing many never before seen snapshots and fascinating information that Bettie Page fans will appreciate.
Like many new Bettie Page fans, I had never heard of her until I purchased a shopping bag and trading cards with her image. With her dark curly hair, trademark bangs sparkling blue eyes, perfect figure, engaging smile and vintage costume—she simply stood apart from the celebrity actresses’ and models of her era. It was apparent Bettie loved to entertain, there was a unique dazzling charm about her, and her dancing and modeling was always tastefully done with style and class-- her fans loved her!
Bettie was from Nashville, Tennessee and remained close to her sister Goldie and her brother Jimmie throughout her life. Bettie’s career was very brief; she retired from the spotlight in 1957, was married four times and had no children. Featured in the popular cult classic “Teaserama” (1955), she was discovered by the photographer Irving Klaw. Most of the earliest photos and snapshots were taken by unknown photographers on Coney Island, and she worked for various modeling agencies before also being cast in movies.
Bettie was plagued by health problems as she aged, mainly related to arthritis that restricted her mobility, yet she exercised and maintained a healthy diet. Bettie embraced the Christian faith, and volunteered at the Billy Graham Crusades. Later on, she experienced mental health problems and was admitted twice to the Patton Psychiatric State Hospital in San Bernardino County, CA. There were copies of letters Bettie wrote detailing her stay at Patton, she seemed to be stable and reasonably happy, though she distanced herself from her fans and did not wish to be seen publically as she aged, preferring that fans remember her when she was young and beautiful.
This book contains memorabilia and personal family photos from Ron Brem’s collection. The book is more of a tribute to his mother and her relationship with Bettie. Both sisters modeled and danced burlesque together, Goldie promptly quit working when she married, by this time Bettie had been divorced from her first husband Billy Neal (1947) as her career as a famous iconic “Queen of Pinup’s” began in the early 1950’s.The photo spread in the conclusion of the book features Goldie (who later changed her name to Gloria) and not Bettie. Still, this is an important well organized book containing many never before seen snapshots and fascinating information that Bettie Page fans will appreciate.
August 16, 2018
What a great book! This is a book for those new to Bettie Page, the die hard fans, and those in-between.
The book is full of awesome photos, ranging from her modeling days to family times, and handwritten letters to her sister Goldie (aka Gloria). The authors do an excellent job at describing the letters and then stating what was happening in Bettie’s life at the time. At no point was I bored with this book, despite having watched documentaries and read about Bettie over the years. This book gives a look into how normal of a person Bettie was and how ahead of her times she was. I think we tend to put her on this pedestal and forget she’s not just the legendary pin-up queen. She is someone’s sister, daughter, aunt, etc. and the letters show that. You’ll get a good idea about Bettie’s personality and humor throughout the book. At the end of the book, you will learn more about her sister, Goldie, and her nephew, Ron. Why Goldie didn’t become as famous as Bettie, I don’t know...when you see Goldie’s photo’s, you’ll wonder the same thing.
This book would make an excellent gift or if you’re a Bettie fan, it’s a must have. I will be purchasing this for myself and one for a friend who loves Bettie. Overall, I recommend the book and can’t say anything bad about it.
For those who need a little more info about the book layout: foreword by Tempest Storm, introduction, followed by four parts (The Early Years, The Pinup Years, The Lost Years, Meet Goldie Jane), then epilogue and acknowledgments.
While reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder what mental illness and health problems did she really have? Was it what they said or something else (we’ve come a long way with medical advances/learning about diseases/illness since she was diagnosed)? How did she maintain such a positive attitude despite everything that happened in her life? The authors mentions the body positive movement (I thought the same thing at multiple times throughout the book), and wonder how Bettie would feel now about her photo being taken as she aged.
Parental Advisory/Trigger Warnings: talks of Bettie’s time in psychiatric hospitals due to her threatening others with knives/injuring them, lots of body image talk (dieting, indulging in food, gaining/losing weight, growing old and dislike for it), talk of suicide if she ends up in a wheelchair or bed-ridden, gambling, marriages and divorces, religion, sexual assaults (briefly mentioned, not detailed).
Thank you to the authors, publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#BettiePageTheLostYears #NetGalley #Reading #Books #QueenOfPinups #BettiePage #Vintage
The book is full of awesome photos, ranging from her modeling days to family times, and handwritten letters to her sister Goldie (aka Gloria). The authors do an excellent job at describing the letters and then stating what was happening in Bettie’s life at the time. At no point was I bored with this book, despite having watched documentaries and read about Bettie over the years. This book gives a look into how normal of a person Bettie was and how ahead of her times she was. I think we tend to put her on this pedestal and forget she’s not just the legendary pin-up queen. She is someone’s sister, daughter, aunt, etc. and the letters show that. You’ll get a good idea about Bettie’s personality and humor throughout the book. At the end of the book, you will learn more about her sister, Goldie, and her nephew, Ron. Why Goldie didn’t become as famous as Bettie, I don’t know...when you see Goldie’s photo’s, you’ll wonder the same thing.
This book would make an excellent gift or if you’re a Bettie fan, it’s a must have. I will be purchasing this for myself and one for a friend who loves Bettie. Overall, I recommend the book and can’t say anything bad about it.
For those who need a little more info about the book layout: foreword by Tempest Storm, introduction, followed by four parts (The Early Years, The Pinup Years, The Lost Years, Meet Goldie Jane), then epilogue and acknowledgments.
While reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder what mental illness and health problems did she really have? Was it what they said or something else (we’ve come a long way with medical advances/learning about diseases/illness since she was diagnosed)? How did she maintain such a positive attitude despite everything that happened in her life? The authors mentions the body positive movement (I thought the same thing at multiple times throughout the book), and wonder how Bettie would feel now about her photo being taken as she aged.
Parental Advisory/Trigger Warnings: talks of Bettie’s time in psychiatric hospitals due to her threatening others with knives/injuring them, lots of body image talk (dieting, indulging in food, gaining/losing weight, growing old and dislike for it), talk of suicide if she ends up in a wheelchair or bed-ridden, gambling, marriages and divorces, religion, sexual assaults (briefly mentioned, not detailed).
Thank you to the authors, publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#BettiePageTheLostYears #NetGalley #Reading #Books #QueenOfPinups #BettiePage #Vintage
March 2, 2019
This shares her life after she retired with some family portraits and handwritten letters a she wondered the country looking for work before she ended up institutionalized. Insightful, RIP.
November 11, 2020
Ah the great Bettie Paige, accidental icon of the sexual revolution. No doubt you've heard of her, I mean that's why you're here... right? Good.
"Bettie Paige: The Lost Years" does not disappoint. This is a great coffee table book for the die-hard Bettie Paige fans. It has deep cuts of unseen photos and letters from Bettie's family. We have long seen her iconic bangs and positive attitude on sexuality, but only very rarely heard her voice or her genuinely vulnerable perspective of things. The documentary on her glosses over some of her darker days of being institutionalized, divorced, sexual assault, and borderline poverty after her modeling career, but this book shows her firsthand experience through those moments. It's not a deep dive like "The Real Betty Paige," but what it lacks in intensive timelines and mug shots it more than makes up for in perspective, charm, stunning candid photos (I love those!), and a killer intro by Dita Von Teese.
"Bettie Paige: The Lost Years" does not disappoint. This is a great coffee table book for the die-hard Bettie Paige fans. It has deep cuts of unseen photos and letters from Bettie's family. We have long seen her iconic bangs and positive attitude on sexuality, but only very rarely heard her voice or her genuinely vulnerable perspective of things. The documentary on her glosses over some of her darker days of being institutionalized, divorced, sexual assault, and borderline poverty after her modeling career, but this book shows her firsthand experience through those moments. It's not a deep dive like "The Real Betty Paige," but what it lacks in intensive timelines and mug shots it more than makes up for in perspective, charm, stunning candid photos (I love those!), and a killer intro by Dita Von Teese.
August 11, 2018
I knew nothing about Bettie Page beyond her gorgeous photos, and it was very gratifying to learn about her in her own words to her loved ones. You get a real sense of her personality in these letters - they're an amazing window into her life. I will admit: I first picked up this book for the photos, and they are very compelling. But hearing how Bettie reacted to events in her life - and how she always maintained a positive attitude! - was what made this book for me. Highly recommended for Bettie Page fans and anyone else who's been captivated by her pictures and wants to learn more about this fascinating woman.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
September 15, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
This book includes personal family photos, early modeling shots (some with her sister Goldie), and biographical info to tie things together but perhaps the best thing is the postcards, cards, and letters penned by Bettie (some written by her own hand) that feature her particular language and quips. A treasure trove.
This book includes personal family photos, early modeling shots (some with her sister Goldie), and biographical info to tie things together but perhaps the best thing is the postcards, cards, and letters penned by Bettie (some written by her own hand) that feature her particular language and quips. A treasure trove.
April 2, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this book as I am a great fan of Bettie Page. I'm sorry to say I found it disappointing. The photographs were missing and I found it to to be a very light version of her later years which I had thoght the book was mostly about considering one of the authors was a relative of Bettie's. I did sympathize with the sections that dealt with her depression over growing older and not liking to be photographed in her later years and also the way the latter part of her life turned out, although she did have faithful friends and a close family..
March 31, 2019
There's a lot of sadness and loneliness in this book, but I really appreciated getting a fuller picture of Bettie Page's life - and seeing how hard she worked at life, as well.
June 1, 2021
I have been a Bettie Page fan for years... she was a really wonderful person and it made me sad that she lived her old age in poverty :(
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews