Joltin’ Joni Arnold

1957 these photos of Joni Arnold were taken. She was working in Atlantic City and had been on the strip circuit for 4 years already. Joni Arnold was known as one of the most beautiful faces (and bodies) in Burlesque.

She was known also for her “torrid bumps and grinds” but her physique and temperament separated her from the rest.

Touted as “glamorous”, “long limned”, “graceful”, and often referred to simply as, “Ooh La La”, Joltin’ Joni drank in the praise as the world tallied up the inches of her waistline 38, 23 and 37 behaving as if those numbers were actual money in their pockets.

I think on how ardently these performers watched their waistlines, counting calories with the same fervor that their fans counted the inches on on their waistlines. Many of these performers struggled with eating disorders that affected their lives in very tangible ways. Much of what Ive researched about Joni suggests that she was quite aware of and concerned about her weight, every moment of the day, as stag mags were constantly keeping an eagle eye on her measurements.

I’ve heard my Burly Mom, Tempest Storm show extreme concern about this matter as well, even into her later life, counting every calorie. Maybe it was just the way things were…

I do love the story of how Joltin’ Joni went from a singer to a dancer overnight!

It just happened one night while she was appearing as a cabaret as a singer. The dancer for the evening didn’t show up and to make matters worse, the master of ceremonies was out for the night with a severe case of laryngitis. Joni went from singer to dancer In the show that night and it stuck! The burlesque audience’s fell hard for this California girl who was a true ShowBusiness baby, she was born to a theatrical family in San Francisco. Her mother was a George white dancer, her father a magician.

“Joni grew up in Idaho and studied voice in her spare time while assisting her dad in his magic act. When still in her teens she struck out on her own in search of a singing career. Jolting Joni has since become a triple threat treat/singing, dancing and modeling with the energetic enthusiasm of three different girls. And her trio of talents are in constant demand. She has made numerous singing appearances on radio, TV and stage. Once known as the original sweater girl, she broke into modeling as a teenage fashion manikin. Joni‘s big moment in ShowBusiness came two years earlier in 1955 when she brought the house down with applause at my Burlesque mom, Tempest storms theater in Portland Oregon.”

Joni fell fast in love with Burlesque and continued to tour as a headliner after her stint with Tempest. I’m unsure of her passing but as my research continues I will pass along that info.