Articles & Translations
by Priscilla Adum

• Rushdy Abaza: The Don Juan of Egyptian Cinema. His famous wives included Taheya Carioca, Samia Gamal, and Sabah. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
• The First Egyptian "Talky". By Priscilla Adum. Summarizes interview featuring Youssef Wahbi.
• Aziza Amer: Producer of the First Egyptian Feature-Length Film. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
• Kamal el-Shennawi Died. News story about Kamal el-Shennawi's August 2011 death.
• Hind Rostum Interviewed in 2010 by Mahmoud Sa3ad. She talks about show business and her family.
• Hind Rostom: A Great Loss to Egyptian Cinema & Dance. News story about Hind Rostom's August 2011 death.
• 1935 Advertisements for the Film El Dahya. Shows images of four advertisements used to promote this movie, including translations for two of them. Houriya Mohamed did a dancing performance in it.
• 1935 Advertisement for Dr. Farhat. This was Taheya Carioca's first movie role. Placed online August 8, 2019.
• 1936 Ad Announcing the Premiere of Malikat al-Masareh (Queen of Theaters). Produced by Badia Masabni.
• 1936 Flyer Promoting Malikat al-Masareh (Queen of Theaters). Produced by Badia Masabni.
• 1936 Newspaper Ad for Khafir el-Darak. Taheya Carioca's first role performing raqs sharqi in cinema.
• 1940 Newspaper Story About the Gala Opening of Cinema Opera. The movie theater at Opera Square.

• The Liver in Egyptian Song and Language. Article written by a friend of Priscilla's in Egypt.
• Iman El Bahr Darwish Elected to Head Musicians' Union in Egypt, July 2011. In post-Revolution Egypt.
• Set El Hosen: Prettiest of the Pretty. Background about the song.
• Translation for the Song Ezzai by Mohamed Mounir. The anthem of the Egyptian 2011 revolution.
• Ya Baheya! The Woman Behind the Songs. The true story behind the songs Ya Bahiyya and Oyoun Baheya.
• Egyptian Shaabi Music and Song. Written by Dr. Hisham el-Agamy, edited by Priscilla.

• Dancers' Performance Prevented at 2012 Wedding. Raising concerns in Egypt about self-appointed morality vigilantes. Placed online August 18, 2019.

Historic Articles

• Exposition Universelle 1900 in IRIS Magazine. About Egyptian dancers at the Paris exposition in 1900.

Historic Nightclubs

• Farewell to El Gandoul Nightclub. Background on a historic Egyptian nightclub that was demolished in July 2011.
• The Mystery of the Arcadia Nightclub. By Priscilla Adum. Why did articles in Arabic mention a club called The Arcadia, but local newspapers had no articles or ads about it?
• Casino El-Bosphore: The Search for a Murder Scene. By Priscilla Adum. Examines information about the club Mary co-owned with Imtithal Fawzy, in a quest to pinpoint where it was.
• Badia Masabni: The Lady and Her Clubs. A history of the entertainment venues Badia owned over the course of 24 years.
• Cabarets, Casinos, Salas, Theaters, and Cinemas: Entertainment Venues in Egypt's Golden Era. Differences between these different types of places. Placed online July 27, 2019.

Historic Photos

Galleries

• Van Leo: Photographer to the Stars. Photo gallery showing his work, including celebrities.
• Gabriel Lekegian: Capturing Memories of Egypt. Features photos taken between 1870 and 1890.
• Historic Photos of Badia Masabni.
• Historic Photos of Samia Gamal.
• Historic Photos of the Golden Era.

Group Photos

1930's

• Badia Masabni's Dancers in 1935. Group photo of dancers who were part of Badia's cast in 1935.
• Celebrity Bare Backs of the Golden Era. Who has the most beautiful back?
• Badia Masabni's Dancers and the Stage Names of Actresses. Group photo of Badia's dancers and short article about stage names.

1960's

• Badia Masabni with Old Friends. Collected by Priscilla Adum. Badia and some longtime celebrity friends in a 1966 photo.
• Vintage Photos of Taheya Carioca & Badia Masabni. Photos of Taheya Carioca's visit to Badia Masabni's farm in Lebanon after Badia retired from show business.

Celebrity Articles & Interviews

Badia Masabni

• The Life of Badia Masabni. 14-part article series by Tarek Hasham.
  • Part 1, Queen of Misery.
  • Part 2, Unlimited Pain.
  • Part 3, Thwarted Marriages.
  • Part 4, First Time in a Theater.
  • Part 5, The First Big Break.
  • Part 6, Pain in Damascus.
  • Part 7, Beloved of the Public.
  • Part 8, The Seeker of Love.
  • Part 9, Crazy About Badia.
  • Part 10, Naguib el-Rihani.
  • Part 11, Marriage to Naguib el-Rihani.
  • Parts 12-14 will be posted in the future.
• Was Badia Masabni Lebanese or Syrian? Priscilla Adum settles the question by explaining how Middle Eastern people view origins.
• Badia Masabni Fights Back Against the Competition. Badia prepares a new show with her star entertainers.
• 1938 Newspaper Interview with Badia Masabni. Badia Masabni discusses the new summer club she has opened.
• How Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din Learned to Dance. 1930's interview with both dancers.
• Badia Masabni: Bada3da3. Badia Masabni takes her show on the road, as reported by a 1933 issue of Al Aroussa Magazine. Placed online June 3, 2019.
• Badia Masabni on El Sabah Magazine Cover. Badia was featured on the cover of El Sabah magazine in 1933. Placed online July 6, 2019.
• Badia Masabni on Kawakeb Magazine Cover. Badia was featured on the cover of Kawakeb magazine in 1933. Placed online July 11, 2019.
• Badia Masabni Segment of 1928 Interview with Nagib el-Rehani. Brief dialogue between Badia and interviewer when she entered the room while interview was in progress.
• Badia Masabni Newspaper Interview from December 3, 1938.
• Artists and Journalists at Badia's. A review of the new show in 1938 Badia planned to present for her comeback to the theater. Placed online July 6, 2019.
• 1966 Television Interview with Badia Masabni. Badia reflects on her life and her career.

Beba Ezz El-Din

• Beba Ezz el-Din Wins Beauty Contest at Badia's Sala. 1933.
• Beba Ezz el-Din on Magazine Cover. 1933. For El Sabah magazine. Placed online July 6, 2019.
• Beba Ezz el-Din Investigated for Theft. July 15, 1935.
• How Badia Masabni and Beba Ezz el-Din Learned to Dance. 1930's interview with both dancers.
• 1951 Newspaper Article About Death of Beba Ezz El-Din.

Dina

• Interview in September 2010 with Dina. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Dina adroitly responds to challenging questions, showing her wit and intelligence.
• Interview in October 2010 with Dina. See Dina's response to the criticism from Nagwa Fouad.
• Interview in January 2011 with Dina. Part of Dina's promotional efforts for her about-to-be-released book.
• Interview in May 2011 with Dina. Dina discusses her own plan for helping Egypt's economy recover.
• Dina Prevented from Dancing at a Wedding, October 2012. News report of Dina being sent home without performing.

Fairouz Arteen (Child Star)

• Fairouz the Movie Miracle: From Stardom to Obscurity. The adult Fairouz reminisces about her career as a child star.
• Rest in Peace, Fairouz Arteen Kalevan. Media report of Fairouz's death in January, 2016.

Fifi Abdo

• Fifi Abdo Admits She Is Jealous of Lebanese Women. Also comments about her family, her issues with weight, and her reasons for going into acting.
• Fifi Abdo: "The Israelis Knelt Before Me." Fifi talks about dance, politics, weight loss, and Israelis.

Hekhmet Fahmy

• Hekmet Fahmy: Profile of a Spy. Biographical glimpse of a legendary Egyptian dancer.
• Hekmet Fahmy, The Spy. A look at the events that ended the career of a woman who was once Egypt's leading dancer.

Imtithal Fawzy

• Imtithal Fawzy: Extortion in the Golden Era. Protection money scandal in 1936.
• Imtithal Fawzy: The Murder of a Beautiful Dancer.

Lucy

• Interview in Ramadan 2010 with Lucy. Lucy talks about her dance career, her acting career, and more.
• Lucy Talks About Zouba el-Klobatiyya. Translated by Priscilla Adum.

Naemet Mokhtar

• About Naemet Mokhtar. A partial translation of a biographical profile of this Golden Era dancer.
• Naemet Mokhtar Breaks 30 Years of Silence. Fascinating February 2012 interview with this Golden Era dancer.

Samia Gamal

• Samia Gamal Interviewed in 1968 by Fouad Moawad. Samia reflects on her career.
• "Samia Gamal Danced with Me in Her 60's". Samir Sabry describes a stage production he put together in the 1980's featuring star entertainers of the black and white movie era.
• Samia Gamal: Biographical Profile from Dahsha. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Her early years, the launch of her dance career, and how she got into cinema.
• Samia Gamal Talks About Farid al-Atrache in an Interview. Translated by Priscilla Adum.
• Samia Gamal Models Spring Fashions. In 1949 issue of Kawakeb Magazine.
• Samia Reminisces About the Ramadan Iftar She Held for Hollywood Friends. Guests included Spencer Tracy, Rhonda Fleming, Jane Powell, Arlene Orcia, Robert Taylor, and George Marshall.

Shafiqa el-Koptiyya

• Shafiqa El-Koptiyya or Not? What do YOU Think? Could this historic photo be the legendary dancer?
• Shafiqa el-Koptiyya: The Dancer Whose Horses Drank Champagne. Insight into a legendary Egyptian dancer.

Taheya Carioca

• Taheya Carioca? Or Karioka, Carioka, Karioca, Karyuka, Caryoka or Karruka? By Priscilla Adum. The correct way to spell Taheya's stage name, and the reasons behind it.
• Taheya Carioca and Oum Kalthoum. Anecdote from El Fagr newspaper, August 2011.
• Onscreen Special About the Documentary Carioca.
• 1936 Newspaper Ad for Khafir el-Darak. Taheya Carioca's first role performing raqs sharqi in cinema.
• 1949 Taheya Carioca and Friends at the Exposition. Translated by Priscilla Adum. Taheya attends the Sixteenth Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition with several friends. Placed online June 10, 2019.
• 1949 Ad with Taheya Carioca Endorsing Skin Soap. Photo and translation. Placed online August 19, 2019.
• Plot Synopsis for Episode 1 of the Carioca 30-Part Television Series. Summarizes the story line of the opening episode of the series that was broadcast on satellite television during Ramadan in 2012. Placed online August 19, 2019.

Others

Personality Profiles

• Amina Mohamed in a Snake Dance. Magazine photo from 1933 and translated caption.
• Bamba Kashar: A Legend of Raqs Sharqi. Profile of a legendary dancer.
• Ensaf and Rateba Rushdie. On the cover of El Sabah Magazine. 1932. Placed online June 11, 2019.
• Gawaher, Lebanese Golden-Era Dancer. 1956 interview about her retirement from stage and screen.
• Houriya Mohamed: Taheya Carioca's Arch-Rival. The competition, the cat fights, and the sabotage!
• Isaac Dickson: Dance Instructor to Egyptian Stars. The dance trainer and choreographer who worked with Badia Masabni and her dancers.
• Ismail Yassin and Mahmoud el-Meligy: The Comic and the Villain. By Priscilla Adum.
• Mary Ezz el-Din: Casino Owner, Actress, and Singer. Profile of a Golden Era business woman.
• Mary Mansour: The Club Owner Who Launched Careers. Photos and profile of her career.
• Nagwa Fouad: Interview in Ramadan 2010 with Nagwa Fouad. Find out what Nagwa thinks of recent trends in dance, including her criticism of Dina.
• Naima Akef: Three Nights I Will Never Forget. Naima Akef reminisces about her memorable moments.
• About Zeinat Olwi. A partial translation of a biographical profile of this Golden Era dancer.
• Yousef El Sherif Discusses Zouba el-Klobatiyya. A glimpse into Yousef el-Sherif's memories of Zouba el-Klobatiyya.

Multiple Celebs in One Article

• New and Second-Hand Costumes: Our Elegant and Not So Elegant Dancers. 1930's article gossiping about the costuming quirks of dance celebrities of the time.
• Egypt's Golden Era Stars Comment on Liquor. Features Taheya Carioca, Naima Akef, Ragaa Abdou, Raqia Ibrahim, and Faten Hamama. Probably 1950's. Placed online June 6, 2019.
• From Badia's at El Giza to Road El Farag: Backstage At The Summer Casinos. Gossipy article about what dancers in the 1930's nightclub scene in Egypt said and did backstage.
• Badia Masabni Satirizes the Hollywood Stars. Also Houriya Mohamed, Kiki, Mary, and Nina.