Fatima, Djemille (c. 1890–1921)

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Fatima, Djemille (c. 1890–1921)

Vaudeville dancer. Name variations: La Belle Fatima. Born c. 1890, possibly in Syria; died Mar 14, 1921, in Venice, California.

Made performance debut as a Harem dancer at William and Oscar Hammerstein's Victoria Theater (1913); collaborated with Hammersteins and The New York Telegraph in an attempt to ridicule the suppressors of vice; after being arrested by vice squad, dressed demurely for court appearance and was quickly released; toured with Hammerstein act The Tiger Lillies (1917); performed same solo act throughout performance career, which consisted of Dance of the Balkans, A Fantasie, The Algerian Apache as Danced 500 Years Ago and Arabian Dance.