Hollywood's Hitler Joe Breen, that stern hemorrhoidal functionary, squeezed every red-blooded bit of umph out of Mae West's sassy dialogue and other felicities. In Breen's withering hands, the one-liners became as flat as fritters and — — if there was any sauciness the Hays Office did not bleach out — — the public clamor after Mae's appearance on "The Chase and Sanborn Hour" drove the final stake through the blossoming promotional campaign.• • However, Mae West did get her way in that Louis Armstrong [1901-1971] was patched into the plot. The movie's musical numbers include "Jubilee" (written by Stanley Adams and Hoagy Carmichael and sung by Louis Armstrong). Seen very briefly as a street cleaner, Louis Armstrong introduces the song "Jubilee" while jauntily parading down the avenue along with other street sweepers during an election rally.
• • The way that Mae got acquainted with Satchmo might have made a better movie.
• • Connie's Inn
• • They met often at Connie's Inn (which had opened in 1921) on Seventh Avenue and 131st Street in the section of Harlem known as "Jungle Alley."
• • Two brothers Conrad (Connie) and George Immerman had emigrated from Germany and they were running a delicatessen in Harlem; Fats Waller was their delivery boy. Eventually, they purchased the club that came to be known as Connie's Inn. Connie had one of the best revues and, in 1929, trumpeter Louis Armstrong was first featured there with an orchestra.
• • Between the terrific music, the splendid stage shows, and the new acts, Mae easily became a fan. Cementing her bond to the extraordinarily good-looking lady-killer Connie Immerman was perhaps the fact that both shared a German connection. Matilda, Mae's mother, had been born and raised in Bavaria.
• • Picture Mae West, during the 1920s, tapping her feet to the seductive swing rhythms — — the blues beating in the steamy heat of a Harlem nocturne, curling the wallpaper.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1931 • •
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Mae West.
Hey I was trying to find information on Connie Immerman and your blog was one of the few I found. I was delighted to see the connection between Connie and Mae West and learn the additional information about Connie. He was a relative of mine and I've always been interested in learning more about him. Where did you get your information by the way and where could I find more (and pictures if any exist). E-mail me at stu.sherman@gmail.com if you read this, I'd love to find out more about my great great uncle.
ReplyDeleteHello Stu,
ReplyDeleteI've been doing research about my wife's great aunt Elaine Townsend.
It turns out your great great uncle worked with my wife's great aunt in Havana Cuba around 1948. She owned a dice and chemin de fer license at the Gran Nacional Casino in Havana and Connie managed it for her. I believe your great great uncle introduced Frank Sinatra to Lucky Luciano. My wife's great aunt was in Cuba from 1947 until castro took over in 59. I'm trying to find out what happened in Elaine Townsend's life from 1950 until her death in 1965. I will email an article to you tomorrow about this.