Yeah, but then it an act. Comedy, or burlesque.
That’s an important distinction.
You are right to point out that this was done for laughs…. Entertainment. Point out that most were comedians and not transgender.
What we are seeing today is drag being used to push transgender mutilation of kids.
Good Streets Of San Francisco involving a female impersonator with John Davidson.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0711545/reviews