In 1918 MAE WEST gave several free performances on Sunday nights to cheer up military men who were in New York on leave during the final months of the first World War. As the Armistice approached, soldiers and sailors wanted a good time, which meant (among other things) taking in a show.
• • Clad in a jaunty sailor hat and middy blouse, Mae looked younger than 25 years old during these shows at the Casino Theatre. It's so rare to see Mae West without a smile, isn't it?
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• • Built in 1882, the Casino Theatre was a top-ranked venue for musicals, especially operettas. Its distinctive Moorish design elements added style to the corner of Broadway and West 39th Street. There aren't too many photos of this playhouse, which was demolished in 1930.
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Mae West
• • Photo • Mae West • in 1918 free performances to cheer up the military
NYC
Mae West.
Do you more about what Mae West was doing during World War I? Where did you find this photograph?
ReplyDeleteMae West was performing on the American vaudeville circuit during the war years. She did not travel to any war zones, if that was your question.
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Mae West performed with Harry Richman in 1922 and, when he died, he passed on numerous letters, photos, memorabilia to his former agent -- and I bought several items from the agent (including these images).
Thanks so much for replying. I'm an historian at SF State specializing on the First World War. I'd like to piece together Mae West's career during the war as much as possible. Are there more items in the Richman collection you purchased that relate to the years 1917-1918? I know she did some publicity photos for home front war drives as well. Are there other archival collections you would recommend?
DeleteAgain, many thanks, Chris Sterba
• • The N.Y. Times [1 December 1918] article "All-Star Benefit Performance. . ." lists Mae West's name at a show for military men at the 49th Street Theatre.
Delete• • As stated, unlike other performers who went out of their way for the WW1 troops, Mae West did not do much except for appearing in some group shows.
• • Prof. JILL WATTS (California) had access to special Mae West archives. After her MW-bio was published, more archives were opened to scholars and British filmmaker SIMON LOUVISH gained access to this rare material.
• • My suggestion would be to contact WATTS and LOUVISH, both easily findable via their websites & publishers.
• • Good luck!