• • Ronald R. Rondell [21 September 1903 — 14 May 1999] • •
• • Born in Naples, Campania, Italy on Monday, 21 September 1903, Ronald R. Rondell came into the world on a day when a total solar eclipse occurred.
• • But he was seeing more than his share of light by 1925 when the five-foot-ten newcomer began making silent films. Even in his earliest work, however, he was only a bit parts player stitched into a scene as a student, waiter, florist, party guest, sailor, nightclub patron, etc.
• • From 1925 — 1953, Rondell cruised through more than 200 motion picture titles that accorded him the unenviable status of "uncredited" such as this example: "Goin' to Town" [1935] Bookie at Bar (uncredited). Gee whiz.
• • In the sweaty action drama "The Forest Rangers" [1942], Rondell rubbed shoulders with several actors who had the privilege of working in a motion picture with Mae West: Ed Brady, Jimmy Conlin, Wade Boteler, George Bruggeman, Lee Phelps, and Harry Woods.
• • By 1945, the 42-year-old character actor had also gotten hired as an assistant director (yes, still uncredited). Eventually, he was fully credited and mined this talent in Hollywood. He branched out into directing TV series and programs until 1965. His son and grandson also followed his lead and found work in the exciting screen trade.
• • Ronald R. Rondell died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California on 14 May 1999. He was 95.
• • On Tuesday, 25 September 1934 in Variety • •
• • A lengthy review of "Belle of the Nineties" appeared in Variety on this date.
• • Abel wrote: "Belle of the Nineties" is a little of everything. Even "St. Louis Blues" and "Memphis Blues" are in it — — she did "Frankie and Johnny" in "Diamond Lil."
• • On Wednesday, 25 September 1940 in Variety • •
• • Andrew R. Kelley reviewed "My Little Chickadee" for Variety. His heavy-handed piece began on page 3 (continued on page 20) in the issue dated for Wednesday, 25 September 1940.
• • On Monday, 25 September 2000 • •
• • This headline appeared in numerous publications on Monday, 25 September 2000, thanks to UPI and AP: "Mae West memorabilia, jewelry, goes on the block." The sale would be held at Butterfields Auction House in Los Angeles. The memorabilia portion of Mae's belongings went before bidders on 24 October 2000.
"Darlene Violette channels Mae West to perfection!" — Stu Hamstra• • By popular demand, actress Darlene Violette — — and the wonderful cast who brought the Bowery denizens and Suicide Hall’s ne’er-do-wells to life — — will return in “Diamond Lil” for several evening performances at Don’t Tell Mama [343 W. 46th Street] on these dates in 2013:
• • 7:30pm on Sunday October 27th — Hallowe'en Party — come in 1890s costume!
• • 7:00pm on Sunday November 3rd — vote for Gus Jordan for Sheriff Night.
• • 8:30pm on Sunday November 10th
• • 7:00pm on Sunday November 17th
• • 7:00pm on Sunday November 24th
• • Phone after 4pm to reserve a seat: 212-757-0788; RSVP online: www.donttellmamanyc.com
• • Closest MTA subway stations: 42nd St./ Times Sq. via A, C, E, 1, 2, 3
• • The public is invited (suitable for age 18 and over). Join us as we turn the iconic NYC nightspot Don't Tell Mama into Gus Jordan's "Suicide Hall"!
• • The Cast: Starring Darlene Violette as Diamond Lil, Queen of the Bowery and also featuring Sidney Myer, Anthony DiCarlo, Joanna Bonaro, Gary Napoli, Juan Sebastian Cortes, Kimmy Foskett, Jim Gallagher and live music by Brian McInnis
• • Director: Co-directed by Dena Tyler, The Actors Studio, and Darlene Violette.
• • Come up and see for yourself. You might even win a swell Raffle Prize.
• • Watch a short clip: Diamond Lil meets Pablo, a gigolo
• • Read a Review of "Diamond Lil" • •
• • L'Idea Magazine's editors attended four times and had a lot to say. Here's the link: http://www.lideamagazine.com/usa-still-entertaining-mae-wests-diamond-lil-makes-new-fans-in-new-york-city/
• • Staying faithful to the gritty themes in the novel, LindaAnn Loschiavo trimmed the work to 85 minutes for a cast of eight.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I'm for the masses and the masses are, it seems, all for Diamond Lil."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Pacifica Tribune mentioned Mae West.
• • Leo Cusenza wrote: I thought there may be another Anthony De Frange until I scrolled down the page and found a copy of a 1970 San Francisco Examiner article showing a man at his easel with many completed paintings of diva actresses in the background. There were no doubts now, this was the same Anthony De Frange.
• • Leo Cusenza wrote: Out of his studio on Geary Boulevard near Polk Street, De Frange worked on consignment and often used photographs to create his oil paintings. He sold a portrait to Mae West for $2,500 only after he made a few changes, little tweaks requested by the actress, making sure to keep her curves while thinning her out a bit. ...
• • Source: "Portrait of Joan" written for Pacifica Tribune; published on Tuesday, 24 September 2013
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2749th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Diamond Lil returned for Mae's birthday • •
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