Evelyn West was a pioneer… sort of a Hernando de Soto of Burlesque. In the early days of the art form theater, the emphasis for titillation was placed on sexy walks and suggestive pelvic gyrations. Evelyn, with her reputed 39 1/2 inch bust line, moved the focus upward. She employed her own style of publicity, insuring her breasts with famed Lloyd’s of London in excess of $50,000. She insisted on being billed at appearances as “Evelyn West — the $50K Treasure Chest.” She started off her career in traveling sideshows, but soon gained recognition and was playing the popular President’s Club in San Francisco.
Evelyn loved publicity. She often challenged and teased her fellow strippers. Once she spotted actress Anita Ekberg leaving the venue during a performance. The always-prepared Evelyn hurled a ripe tomato from the stage, squarely hitting Miss Ekberg. She regularly antagonized colleague Tempest Storm as well as threatened legal action against actress Jane Russell. Evelyn was very critical of Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe, making public accusations that their respective physical attributes were greatly exaggerated and — daring to hint — even fake. She loved making guest appearances at nudist colonies and even served as a bridesmaid at a nudist wedding in Denver, where she carried a sign reading “Park your Fig Leaves Upstairs.” Not leaving any media untouched, Evelyn was a popular pin-up model and often posed for noted photographer Bunny Yeager. She loved meeting her fans and would slyly inscribe pictures “Bust Wishes!”
After her husband, promoter Al Charles, passed away, Evelyn stepped out of the spotlight. She assumed her birth name — Amy Coomer Charles — and moved to Hollywood, Florida to live a quiet life. In 1981, the sixty-year old Evelyn was approached by the owners of a San Francisco strip club to come out of retirement and perform alongside fellow strippers Tempest Storm and Blaze Starr. Although flattered, she turned the offer down. She was happy with her lifestyle change — selling memorabilia on eBay and rooting heartily for the Florida Marlins.
Evelyn died in November 2004 at the age of 83.