Mae West: Strong Woman

Strong women are getting media coverage as this presidential election moves towards "home run" turf — — and MAE WEST is being mentioned in the conversation.
• • Without drinking the John McCain Kool-Aid, reporter John Farr writes about Sarah Palin: "The lady gives off a quality that used to be called "spunk" — — a combination of confidence, toughness, and charm that wins over voters, even when a track record commensurate with the office she seeks is lacking. Right or wrong, many Americans like the fact that Sarah [Palin] dares to be strong."
• • John Farr explains: The same phenomenon represents a recurring theme in film. Over the years, movies built on strong female characters have consistently entertained and inspired us. Instinctively, we root for these characters as we do for all non-conformists. These are women who confront head-on those ingrained roles which only gradually have faded from society — — whether it's being judged by the man you marry, the conflict between motherhood and competing in a male-dominated world, or the lopsided moral burden placed on a lady to maintain her "virtue." To navigate these thorny obstacles, a woman must be resolute, independent, and smart.
• • When John Farr gives examples, Mae West is the first on his list — — even though he forgets that her character's name was Tira. He notes: Take the larger-than-life example of Mae West. In the timeless "I'm No Angel" (1933), she plays a blatantly sexual, flamboyant lion tamer named Mira [sic] who happily conquers men, displaying their framed likenesses like so many trophies. She is unafraid and unashamed of who she is, knows her assets and how to use them. At the same time, she is decent to anyone who shows her a modicum of respect. When a young Cary Grant appears to warn her away from a smitten friend, he too falls under her spell. But we see that it's not just her ample curves that attract him, but also her integrity, attitude and humor — — in short, the whole package. . . .
• • Other Hollywood motion pictures and actresses are discussed in his piece "The Lure of Strong Women." The citation is below so that you can read it for yourself.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "The Lure of Strong Women"
• • Byline: John Farr
• • Published in: The Huffington Post — — www.huffingtonpost.com
• • Published on: 24 September 2008
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
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Mae West.