skip to main |
skip to sidebar
MAE WEST owned the part of "Diamond Lil" and toured with her Bowery melodrama, off and on, until November 1951. 
• • The first (and last) revival without the Mae ingredient was staged in northern California, eight years after the icon's death with another Broadway mainstay, Gretchen Wyler [1932 — 2007], in the title role. Mae's script was adapted by Dennis Powers and Paul Blake and staged at The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
• • The premiere was on Wednesday, 27 January 1988 and there were twenty-seven performances in all.
• • Actress Gretchen Wyler told the news media: "We haven't spoofed it. We haven't made it silly. And I dare say Mae might have liked it."
• • It seems the critics enjoyed it, too.
• • Dan Sullivan and Rebecca Crandall Reviewed the Revival • •
• • In March 1988 L.A. Times Times Theater Critic Dan Sullivan had explained to his readers: No one has tried to revive "Diamond Lil" in 100 years. Or at least since 1951, which was the last time Mae West did it. One reason is that Mae can't be imitated, although everybody tries. Another reason is that her script is pure cardboard. ...
• • Dan Sullivan wrote: Gretchen Wyler may not be Mae West, but she is still Gretchen Wyler, a lady who knows how to take stage. Rather than making Diamond Lil voluptuous, even kiddingly so, she makes her a cash-on-the-barrelhead dame who knows where all the bodies are buried, having disposed of half of them herself. ... [N.B.: Sullivan's comments are continued below.]
• • In her review for Synapse in March 1988, Rebecca Crandall was enthusiastic: Mae West's wisecracking sense of humor pervades the script, smoothly switching between the objective and subjective to enlighten her audience. In several asides to the audience, which Gretchen Wyler pulls off with skill, Diamond Lil drops delicious lines such as: "When women go wrong, men go right after them." These zingers add a spirited tone to West's view of women and the subtle sexual warfare taking place in the early 1920s. . . .
• • Rebecca Crandall continued: All the songs are performed with personality and pleasing choreography, integrating color and life into the show instead of dating or trivializing it. And after seeing Gretchen Wyler float across the stage in her voluptuous affairs, it is no surprise that her several songs in the second act match her former vivacious skill.
• • According to Rebecca Crandall: "Diamond Lil" presents melodrama at its best, and where it belongs, in a turn of the century burlesque comedy brimming with dance, song, slapstick, seduction, and plot tricks. Gretchen Wyler's interaction with the audience enchants in the true style of Mae West, who surprises us with her ability to create a crisp, sharp, and thoroughly entertaining script. For an evening of pure fun, go see Mae West's "Diamond Lil" and become seduced by a truly glamorous woman who was ahead of her time.
• • Source: Theatre Review: "Come up and see her sometime — — 'Diamond Lil' at The American Conservatory Theater, 450 Geary, Through March 19" written by Rebecca Crandall for UCLA's Synapse Magazine, Volume 32, Number 21; 10 March 1988.
• • Gerald Marks [1900 — 1997] • •
• • Mae West recorded a popular old standard in her album "The Fabulous Mae West" [for MCA Records, Inc., 100 Universal Plaza, Universal City, California] — — "All of Me" by composer Gerald Marks.
• • Born in Saginaw, Michigan in the month of October — — on 13 October 1900 — — Gerald Marks began writing songs as a boy. He was best known for the song "All of Me," which he co-wrote in 1931 with bandleader Seymour Simons, and which has been recorded more than 1,000 times (including four versions by Frank Sinatra). Al Jolson was the first to make it a hit. Marks also wrote the songs "That's What I Want for Christmas" for a Shirley Temple film, and "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" recorded by Al Jolson and Rudy Vallee.
• • After a long, exciting career, Gerald Marks died on 27 January 1997. He was 96 years old.
• • Screenland's January 1934 cover • •
• • Directly under a striking color portrait of Mae West on the cover of the January 1934 issue of Screenland, the Smart Screen Magazine, the editors promised that you would find "Mae West's Personal Message to You!" on page 24.
• • On Monday, 27 January 1930 in The Brooklyn Eagle • •
• • The death of Matilda Delker West was reported in The Brooklyn Eagle on Monday, 27 January 1930. A heartbreaking loss for her daughter Mae, who was born and bred in Brooklyn, where her mother introduced her to the vaudeville circuit.
• • On Friday, 27 January 1933 in the USA • •
• • The red carpet premiere of "She Done Him Wrong" took place in Hollywood on Friday, 27 January 1933. What a great day for Mae West.
• • On Thursday, 27 January 1938 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • Frank S. Nugent, The Times man on the aisle, gave his review of "Every Day's a Holiday" on page 17 [N.Y. Times on 27 January 1938]. Nugent didn't care for the motion picture per se but seemed to appreciate the live music played by Benny Goodman and his orchestra that was part of the New York Paramount Theatre's stage show.
• • In contrast, Variety's headline was "Benny Goodman — West Boffo B'way for $57,000" [Variety on 2 February 1938]. Considering this tally was done during the Great Depression, ticket receipts totaling $57,000 at the box office in NYC would indicate that Mae West definitely attracted a full house in her hometown.
• • On Sunday, 27 January 1985 in The Sun Sentinel • •
• • Florida Staff Writer Shari Roan wrote: Fred Astaire, Mae West, and Wrigley Field have it. Warren Beatty, Kim Novak and the Superdome do not. Astaire, West and Wrigley Field have staying power, say writers Betty Cornfeld and Owen Edwards. They will never go out of style. They are quintessential. Quintessence: The Quality of Having It (Crown, $12.95) is the title of Cornfeld and Edwards` book about things forever trendy. ...
• • The Sun Sentinel published her feature in the weekend edition on Sunday, 27 January 1985.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Diamonds is my career."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on the revival of "Diamond Lil" in San Francisco mentioned Mae West.
• • Ed Hastings of the American Conservatory Theatre (450 Geary) sat down with with a visitor from Los Angeles, L.A. Times Staff Writer Dan Sullivan.
• • Dan Sullivan wrote: This year Ed Hastings's giving 'em "Diamond Lil" with Broadway musical-comedy star Gretchen Wyler in the Mae West role. This is San Francisco, after all. ...
• • Dan Sullivan wrote: No one has tried to revive "Diamond Lil" in 100 years. Or at least since 1951, which was the last time Mae West did it. One reason is that Mae can't be imitated, although everybody tries. Another reason is that her script is pure cardboard. ...
• • Dan Sullivan wrote: Gretchen Wyler may not be Mae West, but she is still Gretchen Wyler, a lady who knows how to take stage. Rather than making Diamond Lil voluptuous, even kiddingly so, she makes her a cash-on-the-barrelhead dame who knows where all the bodies are buried, having disposed of half of them herself. You think of that great San Francisco madam, Sally Stanford. True, it's hard to believe Wyler when she tells us that she thought Donat was sending all those girls to Havana to become reading teachers. But we wouldn't have believed Mae either. Wyler looks terrific and uncorks Mae's great old wisecracks as if she wrote 'em herself. That's about all you can expect from "Diamond Lil." We are not talking heavy drama here. . . .
• • Source: Article: "STAGE: ACT Is Back on Course as S.F.'s Leading Theater" written by Dan Sullivan for The L.A. Times; published on 6 March 1988
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2190th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in April 1928 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC
Mae West.
A spirited talk on MAE WEST takes place this evening in Great Britain. The topic is "Parker Tyler, Mae West and Queer Fandom" and the speaker is Dr. James Boaden, Department of History, University of York.
• • According to critic Parker Tyler, Mae West's "sudden greatness was to have introduced a deliberately comic parody of the sex goddess. Her unique blend of sexiness and vulgar comedy, in other words, was the screen's first sterling brand of conscious sex camp." In 1969, Parker Tyler expressed his opinion that Mae was "a female impersonator who is, after all, a woman." A few years later, he wrote the intro to Jon Tuska book "The Complete Films of Mae West."
• • Admission: no prior booking required — the event will be followed by a wine reception, to which everyone is welcome.
• • WHAT: "Parker Tyler, Mae West and Queer Fandom"
• • WHEN: Thursday, 26 January 2012, from 6.30pm to 8:00pm
• • WHERE: Centre for Modern Studies, Room BS/118, First Floor of the Berrick Saul Building, University of York, York, England; Tel +44 (0)1904 328097
• • Tell them you heard about it on The Mae West Blog.
• • On Thursday, 26 January 2012 in Los Angeles • • 
• • To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Paramount Pictures, for a period of five months, on the last Thursday of each month, Film Independent at LACMA invites you to a double feature of movies chosen from the studio’s archives. To kick off the Paramount Pictures’ centenary, the focus is on a pair of comedies created by the films’ female stars — — women whose unique timing and specific approach to sexuality in film is groundbreaking for very different reasons.
• • Film Independent noted: In the 1933 comedy "She Done Him Wrong," Mae West helped adapt the successful Broadway sex farce, “Diamond Lil” (which she wrote) that made her infamous. Speedy and hilarious, the 1890-set Wrong follows Lady Lou (West) as she cuts a swath of larceny and lasciviousness through the Bowery, and her targets include a younger actor in his second role with his new stage name: Cary Grant.
• • WHAT: 100 Years of Paramount Pictures: She Done Him Wrong
• • WHEN: Thursday, 26 January 2012, at 9:25pm
• • WHERE: Film Independent at LACMA
• • HERE: Leo S. Bing Theatre at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
• • Tell them you heard about it on The Mae West Blog.
• • Diem Obiit Mater — The Day Mother Died • •
• • "This is the real Mae West — — a woman of passion, highly geared emotions, tense feelings, who has been forced over a period of years to feed those emotions to a box-office," wrote Ruth Biery for Movie Classic in 1934. "A greedy, wanting-to-be-shocked box-office. Urged gently at first, tempted cleverly, promoted subtly, Mae West has put all the force of her cyclonic nature into bringing the thrills of love and life to others."
• • Journalist Ruth Biery had her tete-a-tete with Mae in Hollywood — — not unlike the way she had hunkered down with Greta Garbo in the 1920s — — as a sympathetic listener who wrote mainly for movie magazines. "I have really loved only once," Mae has told me, as she has told others. But never before have I heard her say, "They always found a way to break me up with a man before it became too serious. I was not allowed to love, really love. My mother and then Timony — — "
• • Journalist Ruth Biery either was mild enough or persuasive enough to extract Mae's confidences. Or perhaps Mae was ready to confess: "You see, first it was my mother. If she thought I was falling in love, she'd stop it right like that. If I was liking a man too much or she thought a 'crush' was getting serious, she'd find a way. She knew me so well, she could always find a way. She wouldn't let me learn to love really. She wouldn't let me — — and now Timony protects me."
• • When little Mae was growing up, neighbors referred to her as "the German girl."
• • Matilda, daughter of Christiana and Jacob Delker • •
• • The daughter of Christiana and Jacob Delker, Matilda was born in December 1870 — — perhaps in Wurttemberg, Germany, speculates biographer Jill Watts, noting that Jacob Delker had been working there in a sugar refinery. In January 1889, 18-year-old Matilda Delker wed John West.
• • Diem Obiit Mater: on Sunday, 26 January 1930 • •
• • However, she and her daughter Mae were really the love of each other's lives until Matilda died in the month of January — — on Sunday, 26 January 1930 — — at age 59. How terrifying it was for Mae during the winter of 1929, knowing that her mother's illness was worsening. After Matilda died, Mae felt, "There wasn't anyone to play to."
• • Note: On the April 1911 marriage license for Mae West and Frank Wallace, her mother's name is noted as "Matilda Dilker" not Delker, quite probably a clerical error.
• • Frank Mills [1891 — 1973] • •
• • Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in the month of January — — on 26 January 1891 — — the character actor Frank Mills made his first appearance in a motion picture in 1928 when he was 37 years old. Cast often, and invariably in modest roles, he went on to perform stunts and portray photographers, carnival barkers, bums, cabbies, military men, reporters, etc.
• • In "She Done Him Wrong," Frank Mills played a barfly.
• • Frank Mills logged in more than 300 film and TV credits between 1928 — 1961. He died in Los Angeles on 18 August 1973 at the age of 82.
• • On Thursday, 26 January 2006 in Orange County • •
• • "Belle of the Nineties" [1934] was Mae West's first film that was produced after Hollywood implemented the repressive Hayes code. This was screened at the Long Beach School for Adults Auditorium, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, Calif. on Thursday, 26 January 2006.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: ''I've been things and done places.''
• • Mae West said: ''You've got to rock with the rock — — and roll with the roll.''
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on the revival of "Sex" in NYC mentioned Mae West.
• • D. J. R. Bruckner writes: If it helps a writer to know a lot about her subject, Mae West brought great authority to her first play, ''Sex,'' written and first produced in New York in 1926. The writing is not as accomplished as it is in some of her later film scripts, but there are enough characteristic West lines to let you know who the author was, and it was good enough to get her tossed into jail in 1927 as the creator and star of an indecent public performance. As a publicity stunt the trial was perfect; from then on she was a star whatever she did.
• • Oddly, the text of the play was lost for 70 years. . . .
• • Source: Review: "Mae West's First Play (for the Stage, That Is)" written by D. J. R. Bruckner for The N.Y. Times; published on: 24 December 1999
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2189th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC
Mae West.
Hattie McDaniel [1895 — 1952], who was featured in "I'm No Angel" starring MAE WEST, was featured as the 29th inductee on the Black Heritage Series by the United States Postal Service. The announcement from the US Postal Service came through in the month of January — — on 25 January 2006.
• • The 39-cent stamp was released (on 29 January 2006) when the Oscar-winner had been dead for 53 years. This stamp features an image of Hattie McDaniel taken in 1941 in the same dress she wore when she accepted her Academy Award in 1940.
• • Beginning this year, however, Americans will see acclaimed musicians, sports stars, writers, artists, and other nationally-known figures on U.S. postage stamps — — while they are still alive. The Postal Service is inviting the public to use social media to submit their ideas for individuals to honor.
• • In September 2011 the Postal Service announced that they would be dropping a rule that currently requires an individual to have been deceased at least five years before being honored on a stamp. Under the new guidelines, living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration on postage stamps.
• • Mae-mavens are waiting for the day that the Brooklyn bombshell [1893 — 1980] will be featured on a postage stamp issued in the USA. The Hollywood legend has been dead for 31 years. When do we get a Mae West stamp? When? When?
• • Mail your suggestions to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development, Room 3300, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260-3501.
• • Midsumma, Melbourne, Mae West • •
• • At the end of January, Marie-Therese Byrne will take the role of Mae West in "Courting Mae West," a play written by LindaAnn Loschiavo. A one-time only presentation in Australia, the play will have a concert reading during Midsumma Playing-In-The-Raw.
• • Based on true events during the Prohibition Era — — from December 1926 until December 1932 — — the play follows a pre-Hollywood Mae West, age 33, as she socializes in the drag cabaret where she had cast "The Drag" (in Act I, Scene 1), a daring production she plans to bring to Broadway. Unfortunately, she gets arrested and jailed instead (Act 1, Scene 3). Censorship, courtroom battles, bankruptcy, and other crises will dog her footsteps, forcing the Brooklyn bombshell to climb the ladder of success wrong by wrong. Finally, a Paramount Pictures star at 39 years old, Mae gets to bring her box-office blockbuster "Diamond Lil" to the silver screen on her own terms by the end of 1932.
• • WHAT: "Courting Mae West: Sex, Censorship & Secrets"
• • WHEN: Saturday, 28 January 2012 at 2.00pm
• • WHERE: Midsumma Playing-In-The-Raw at The Chapel [Melbourne, Australia]
• • Alan Brooks [1888 — 1936] • • 
• • Actor Alan Brooks played the title role in "Pleasure Man" [1928] written by Mae West.
• • Born in New York City as Irving Hayward in the month of January — — on 25 January 1888 — — Alan Brooks was active on The Gay White Way from 1909 — 1932. During that interval, Brooks was cast opposite Lionel Barrymore in "The Piker" [1925] and helmed his own Broadway trifecta when he wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy "Merchants of Venus" [1920].
• • The life of an actor has never been an easy one whether onstage or during the drama of the witness stand.
• • "Pleasure Man" had its opening night on 1 October 1928 padlocked by the police. Alan Brooks who portrayed Rodney Terrill died at the end of September — — on 29 September 1936 — — in Saranac Lake, NY, at age 48. Did the stressful 1930s obscenity trial contribute to his early demise?
• • The legal battles fought by Mae West and Alan Brooks are dramatized in the play "Courting Mae West: Sex, Censorship, and Secrets," set during the Prohibition Era. Watch a scene on YouTube. Or attend the performance in Australia on January 28th.
• • Photo: 1930 Mae West leaves court with her lawyer Nathan Burkan and the cast of "Pleasure Man" in lower Manhattan• • On Sunday, 25 January 1948 • •
• • On Sunday, 25 January 1948, The New York Times's London correspondent noted: "The audience displayed little interest in the comedy melodrama of the nineties but it warmed to Miss West. ..."
• • On Sunday, 25 January 1998 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • Published in The Times on 25 January 1998 was an interesting article by Albert Murray, "High-Stepping to an Uptown Beat," that offered the highlights of a decade.
• • Albert Murray wrote: It was during the 10-year period beginning in November 1918 that New York City consolidated its status as undisputed culture capital of the United States, indeed of the Western Hemisphere. This was the postwar decade of the Roaring 20's, with its deluxe sedans and sporty roadsters and increasingly available flivvers and jitneys. The newly ratified 18th Amendment brought in Prohibition, bootleg liquor and gangster-affiliated speak-easies. ...
• • Albert Murray wrote: Police come up to see Mae West: they raid "Sex," a musical revue [sic].
• • On Friday, 25 January 2002 • •
• • The Vegas View news-sheet announced on Friday, 25 January 2002 this interesting bit of weekend entertainment: The Magical Hula Girls performance Saturday [January 26th] will include appearances by a Mae West impersonator, stuntman and actor Samoan Sid on the Tahitian drums, and dancer One, who also performs in "O" at the Bellagio. At the Starbright Theatre in Sun City, Nevada.
• • On Sunday, 25 January 2009 • •
• • An intriguing item offered at the Winter Art & Antiques Auction on Sunday 25 January 2009 was this 1989 serigraph of Mae and an impressionist: "Large Caricature Portraits of Mae West and Jim Bailey."
• • On Tuesday, 25 January 2011 in The Orlando Sentinel • •
• • The paper announced on 25 January 2011 that the controversial Mae West play "The Drag" will get a reading in Florida: John DiDonna's Empty Spaces Theatre Co. will present a staged reason of Mae West's gay-themed "The Drag" twice this weekend as part of its Dangerous Plays Series.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Men are my hobby. If I ever got married, I'd have to give it up."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on Year of the Dragon celebrities mentioned Mae West.
• • Andrea Reiher writes: The Chinese New Year on January 23 kicks off year 4710 in the Chinese calendar, which is a Year of the Dragon. The legend goes that Buddha asked the animals to meet him for a New Year's celebration and 12 showed up, so they were each assigned a year. He also said people born in those years would have some of those animal's traits.
• • Andrea Reiher writes: 4710 is a Year of the Dragon, which means people born in this year and previous Dragon years are supposed to share the positive traits of being magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal.
• • Andrea Reiher writes: The negative Dragon traits include tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash.
• • Andrea Reiher writes: Some famous Year of the Dragon celebrities include Mae West and also Susan B. Anthony, Florence Nightingale, Sigmund Freud, Shirley Temple, Salvador Dali, John Lennon, Raquel Welch, Bruce Lee, Keanu Reeves, Orlando Bloom, Sandra Bullock, Al Pacino, etc.
• • Source: Article: "Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon celebs" written by Andrea Reiher for pop2it; posted on: 23 January 2012
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2188th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • during "Pleasure Man" trial in 1930 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC
Mae West.
"When Catherine Was Great" starring MAE WEST was in performance, reviews were mixed. In a January column — — published on 24 January 1945 — — the Boston Post was rude and dismissive, sneering "It doesn't seem that anyone over 21 would admit to having written such a play." But the play and the Broadway star found some supporters in the media, for instance, Stark Young. And the fans were in Mae's corner, buying tickets.
• • Gene Austin [1900 — 1972] • • • • Seven years younger than Mae, Gene Austin was born on the 24th day of the month of June in Texas — — that is, on 24 June 1900. 
• • Though Gene Austin was the best-selling recording artist of the 1920s, he died virtually unknown in Palm Springs at age 71 after walking away from big-time show biz in the 1930s. His very last show was at the old Jack London restaurant on North Indian Canyon Drive on New Year's Eve, 1971.
• • Phil Moody had been Mae's musical director when she did the "Mae West Revue." Gene Austin lived with Grace and Phil Moody in Palm Springs from 1971 until his death at Desert Regional Medical Center in January — — on 24 January 1972.
• • On Monday, 24 January 1938 in Time Magazine • •
• • The radio ruckus Mae West set in motion just before Christmas 1937 continued being discussed in the news. Time Magazine's issue — — dated Monday, 24 January 1938 — — focused on all those "right-thinking" citizens who penned complaint letters and the FCC's request for a transcript of the offending program. NBC was reluctant to release it, however.
• • On Monday, 24 January 1938 • •
• • According to Time, Mae West's cinema earnings in 1936 were $323,000, about as much salary as Bethlehem Steel's president, Eugene G. Grace, and the chairman of its board, Charles M. Schwab.
• • Time Magazine published a review of Mae West's latest film "Every Day's A Holiday" (Paramount Pictures, 1938). Time's critic had this to say:
• • In the peculiar idiom of show business, Mae West's art comes under the head of umph.
• • This quality is expressed by sinuous gyrating and prurient murmurings. That this sort of thing will make money is well established. Actress West's last recorded cinema earnings (1936) were $323,000, about as much salary as Bethlehem Steel's president, Eugene G. Grace, and the chairman of its board, Charles M. Schwab, draw down together. That umph sometimes shocks the public is established too.
• • For "Every Day's A Holiday" Paramount made a determined effort to de-umph Mae West by vacuum-cleaning the script, disguising Mae in a fantastic black French periwig. But, like trying to purify the water by white-washing the village pump, it did not work. To situations considerably less potential than the story of Adam & Eve, actress Mae West imparts a meaning all her own; despite all directorial and script-writing efforts to make her steer a straight course, she still writhes as she pleases. As sexless a game as selling a sucker the Brooklyn Bridge resembles, in the West vernacular, a bargain sale of great temptations. . . . [published in Time Magazine on Monday, 24 January 1938]
• • On Saturday 24 January 1948 in London • •
• • "Diamond Lil" starring Mae West toured Manchester, Blackpool, Birmingham, and Glasgow before opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London on Saturday night, 24 January 1948.
• • On Tuesday, 24 January 1950 in the Baltimore Sun • •
• • Sculptor Louis Rosenthal was interviewed and photographed in a Maryland hotel suite right next to Mae West. The article was: "Mae West Unaltered in 19 Years, Sculptor Finds." It's an enjoyable read and the photo of them together in a hotel room is priceless as the caption: "Rosenthal studies the Mae West profile." Terrific.
• • Mae West was performing in "Diamond Lil" at the Ford Theatre in January 1950.
• • On Sunday, 24 January 1993 in the L.A. Times • •
• • This "letter to the editor" was published in The Los Angeles Times in the Sunday paper on 24 January 1993.
• • MAE and MADONNA: Come Up and See a Real Star Sometime
• • Your article comparing Mae West and Madonna was bizarre. Writer Carl Anthony must be a Madonna groupie to elevate her to the status of Mae West. Sure, they both had works titled "Sex": Mae West wrote and starred in a Broadway hit by that name; Madonna posed for nude photos in a book by that name. Some comparison.
• • I know a bit about West. Carl Anthony was really stretching his facts. While Madonna must be credited with selling many pop records, Mae West was a star. I hope that Anthony's upcoming documentary about West won't cheapen her. Her fans are not easily fooled.
• • Letter written by L.A. Times reader James Greene, San Diego
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Maybe I ought to turn on a little more inspiration?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on a boxer mentioned Mae West.
• • ESPN wrote: But as significant a boxer as Johnson was, he is often remembered more for a flamboyant lifestyle that, coupled with his skin color in "White America," inspired unprecedented controversy and even rioting.
• • ESPN wrote: He transformed himself from the docks of Galveston, Texas, to early 20th-century glitterati. He had his own jazz band, owned a Chicago nightclub, acted on stage, drove flashy yellow sports cars, reputedly walked his pet leopard while sipping champagne, flaunted gold teeth that went with his gold-handled walking stick and boasted of his conquests of whites — — both in and out of the ring.
• • ESPN wrote: Johnson kept the company of some of his era's most desired women, most of them white. Moulin Rouge star Mistinguette. German spy Mata Hari. Sex symbols Lupe Velez and Mae West. Johnson was romantically linked to all. ...
• • ESPN wrote: John Arthur Johnson was born on March 31, 1878, in Galveston. He died at age 68 in a car accident on June 10, 1946, near Raleigh, N.C.
• • Source: Article: "Jack Johnson" / Black History Month written by ESPN.com; posted on: Wednesday, 24 January 2001
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2187th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Mae with W.C. Fields & Gene Austin, 1940 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC
Mae West.
