Louise strikes a pose as a “nautch girl” Indian dancer for a series of Paramount publicity photos by Eugene Richee, 1928. (Thread)

“Nautch girls” had been a unique class of women in India for centuries, dancers who would perform for everyone of all classes but who were not allowed in more refined circles. Their popularity faded in the early 1900’s as dancing became frowned upon by Western elites in India.

When Louise danced with Denishawn from 1922-1924, the touring company featured “exotic” dances from around the world including a nautch dance performed by the school’s co-founder Ruth St. Denis. A photo of Ruth (L) in costume and Louise later in an imitative pose for Richee (R).

For some reason, Louise’s nautch girl photos were used in conjunction with the studio’s publicity campaign surrounding “The Canary Murder Mystery” (1929). It would be interesting to know if Louise was the one who chose her outfit. Based on her dance history, I’m guessing it was.

The Richee shoot also was used for a “Daughters of the Dance” feature in Hollywood Magazine, August, 1929, (L) featuring Louise (L - detail) and two other Paramount stars, Clara Bow and Doris Hill, as well as Joan Crawford, hot off of the hit film “Our Dancing Daughters” (1928).

Another magazine spread — half of it, anyway —featuring Louise (“performing the Shalimar shimmy”), Clara Bow as a gypsy and poor Jean Arthur giving it her best as a Balkan peasant (L). The cover of “Film Weekly,” December, 1928. Check out the headline: “It-Less British Girls.”

Director G.W. Pabst used Richee’s photos — including the nautch girl — in the scene from “Pandora’s Box” (1929) where an Egyptian brothel owner is checking out Lulu as a possible “purchase” from the blackmailing Casti-Piani. It was perhaps a dig by Pabst at the Hollywood system.