World War II was all anyone could think about. It started as a trickle with Japan waging war on China in 1931. It felt so far from the safe shores of America but in time the trickle would be come a torrent. The entire world overlapping their moral compasses to the eventuality of an all out world war... yet again. But this one would end differently and even more darkly. There was a tremendous loss felt around the world but our piece in that war wouldn’t start until 1942.

Over time there was need for entertainment to boost military spirits as WWII raged on. Eventually she would go on tour throughout the Midwest with the USO as an entertainer.

Elaine always loved ballet and would continue to practice it throughout her young adult life. Perhaps it was that love of ballet that led her to be the leggy, statuesque burlesque figure that she would later commit her life to becoming.

Elaine was undergoing some incredible changes in her world, and was oddly, supported by her mother. It was not common in those days to accept a stripper daughter...

You see, Elaine was beginning to meet her inner Lynne O’Neill. It’s a very special thing when a performer finds their alter ego. It can be a life-changing experience and sometimes sadly earth shattering. Especially without the love of a supportive family. But Elaine had that, she had a mother who not only benefited from her successes but also pitched in to get the job done.

Nothing is ever the same after stripping. Nothing ever looks, smells or feels the same after you have stood in your naked power on stage in front of an adoring audience. Lynne was emerging and wanted to be seen in all of her glory.

She soon started booking burlesque gigs in Chicago under her newly acquired stage name “Lynne O’Neill”. Lynne’s mother was not only supportive, she was totally on board!

Now every stripper needs a good gimmick, at least every American stripper did back then. With Hollywood on the rise, strippers were fighting for attention. Folks were happy to stay home and watch TV or indulge in a movie.

Burlesque houses were hit hard. People now have free entertainment at their fingertips at home. It was even harder to lure the audience out to a night on the town.

Clubs were generally tight with money and booked only the acts that could put asses in seats. The more unique her act was on stage the more sure she was to get booked.

It was necessary to have a gimmick. Something that really set her apart from the vast sea of Chicago striptease wannabes. Something that secured her spot in the nightclub scene.

Lynne’s mother came up with just such a gimmick.