Mae West: Playground

MAE WEST met Rudolph Valentino in July – – on Sunday evening 25 July 1926 during a party at Tommy's Guinan's speakeasy. Co-hosting this affair was Tommy's sister Texas Guinan.
• • The Italian heartthrob got an outstanding reception from the overdressed swells and the underworld guys and molls mesmerized by the Guinan's nightlife know-how.
• • Larger than the average ginmill, The Playground was located at 201 West 52nd Street at the corner of Seventh Avenue [a.k.a. 800 7th Avenue]. Its generous square footage made it ideal for events that would attract a crowd.
• • A pleasure palace stills exists in this midtown location, non-threatening and totally Disney-fied. On Friday August 17, 2007 a tour group will visit this club and other a-MAE-zing sites on the Mae West westside map.
• • James R. Quirk, editor-publisher of Photoplay, also co-hosted the Reception at this popular speakeasy in honor of Rudolph Valentino's new silent movie "Son of the Sheik" – – a sequel. One month later, alas, the 31-year-old silent screen star would be dead.
• • When Photoplay first began publication, Quirk's staff had included handsome Julian Johnson, who was Texas Guinan's lover.
• • Mae West and Texas Guinan enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the Apulian heartthrob and his entourage. After his untimely demise, Mae organized seances to keep in touch with Valentino.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1932 • •
NYC
Mae West.