Mae West: The King's Speech

The Academy Award hooplah over "The King's Speech" calls to mind the day MAE WEST was invited to party with the King of England during his jubilee in 1935.
• • According to the Chicago Tribune: In 1935, Mae West was invited to the jubilee celebration of King George V in London, over the teacups at Paramount studio in Hollywood today by Lord Byng, British hero of Vimy Ridge. The actress entertained Lord and Lady Byng at tea on the set of her picture, and was in her usual good form saying, "Have another cup, dearie" to his lordship and "Two lumps, darling" to her ladyship. ...
• • King George V [1865 — 1936] began his reign on 6 May 1910, celebrating his Silver Jubilee on 6 May 1935. Special commemorative coins and medals were struck to honor this anniversary. No doubt many speeches were made on this occasion. Eight months later the monarch died on 20 January 1936. The reign of his son King George VI (who stuttered) began on 11 December 1936. He was the father of the current monarch Queen Elizabeth, who ascended the throne in 1952.
• • Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy Ridge, died one month after the royal festivities on 6 June 1935.
• • The newspapers followed this story, announcing a few times that Mae West would definitely attend the party in London. However, it was not to be — — and the busy performer would not sail for Great Britain until after World War II when she toured in "Diamond Lil."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Guardian's Drama Critic Michael Billington begins his review this way: Mae West liked a guy who took his time, and Mike Leigh certainly exercises that privilege in this 2¾-hour play originally seen at Hampstead in 1979. But, although there may be occasional longueurs, Leigh gets there in the end by offering a devastating portrait of the solitude that haunts many of the inhabitants of a teeming city like London. ...
• • Source: Review "Ecstasy" written by Michael Billington — guardian.co.uk; posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2011
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Mae-montage printed in September 1934 • •
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