Mae West: April 1930

During April 1930, when MAE WEST was enmeshed by the infamous "Pleasure Man" trial, she had no choice but to remain in Manhattan for the duration of these court proceedings.
• • At the time, Mae was living with her brother and sister in furnished rooms on West 57th Street. The Depression had forced many people out of work. In April 1930, the census takers enumerated both Mae and Beverly as unemployed actresses. Their brother John West, a real estate broker at the time, was supporting the household. It was a sad time for all of them, following the death of their mother Matilda West. Mae profoundly mourned her closest ally.
• • One day Texas Guinan, who was covering the trial, invited Mae to perform at a fundraiser she was co-hosting at the Imperial Theatre [249 West 45th Street]. This playhouse had 1443 seats. Guinan had tapped entertainers such as Helen Morgan, Ruth Etting, Charles Butterworth, Lily Damita, De Wolf Hopper, Paul Ash, and Harry Richman.
• • Jobless herself, Mae agreed to sing a few numbers to raise money at the "Give a Job Benefit" taking place on 12 April 1930.
• • Rudy Vallee and his orchestra backed Mae as she sang "Frankie and Johnny" and a few other favorites on the wide proscenium stage of the Imperial. Other co-hosts were Walter Winchell, Mark Hellinger, Jack Donahue, and the event's organizer Heywood Broun.
• • By the end of the "Pleasure Man" trial, Mae West was bankrupt.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West venue • • circa 1924 • •
NYC
Mae West.