I understood that it was meant to frame the face, but did not know all that. Film buff/scholar?

It was pretty much solely used by females and then only in musicals. Framing the face, “poor mans close-up”, while keeping it at a medium shot. A frame within a frame. Does that make sense? Usually reserved for songs of innocent love or to show the naivete of a character. Judy Garland made it iconic in the film A Star…

My favorite single from her album, 1589, is definitely Welcome to New Yorick. Shake it Out, Damned Spot takes a close second.

I like to imagine Judy saying, “Eat me Taylor” in this gif.