Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Mae West: And (Herb) Howe

"Hollywood actresses and their woes make me a little sick after meeting MAE WEST," wrote Herb Howe, a Hollywood columnist. "You have no idea how refreshing it is to find a human being out here." 
• • According to Herb Howe: Mae West is Hollywood's Jekyll-Hyde. She revels in her two identities. On a picture she gave me she wrote, "A bad woman with a good heart." I'll bank on the good and applaud the bad. If Miss West isn't the realest, most interesting and talented actress in Hollywood you've got me and Mr. Timony to fight — and we've both got Dublin blood! ...
• • Source: Article: "The I'm-No-Angel Girl" written by Herb Howe for The New Movie Magazine; published in August 1933. 
• • On Tuesday, 30 October 1934 • •
• • Film Daily printed this: Markesan, Wisconsin — Mae West, screen star, has purchased Elizabeth Heberling, trotter, from Dr. D. R. Edwards, local veterinarian. For the present the horse will remain in the Edwards stables and will tour the race circuits next year with the rest of his racers. ...
• • Film Daily's cost was 5 cents. John W. Alicoate was the Editor and Publisher.
• • Source: News Brief: "Mae West Buys Race Horse" published in Film Daily, Vol. LXVI, No. 102; printed on Tuesday, 30 October 1934.
• • On Saturday, 30 October 1948 • •
• • It was on Saturday, 30 October 1948 that Mae West signed an Actor's Equity Association Stock Jobbing Contract on Equity's letterhead in New York. The Broadway star of "Diamond Lil" was agreeing to a weekly salary of $2,500, and the play would be opening in Montclair, New Jersey in the month of November — — on Sunday, 21 November 1948.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The New Movie Magazine [issue dated July 1934] wrote this:  Mae West and Mickey Mouse are the favorites of California school children according to a tabulation of the state department of education. Our kiddies are certainly being educated. I, too, am young enough to be free of that "sterile disapproval" which Mussolini ascribes to age and am spry enough to make the stairs when Mae sounds the "cumup" call.
PHOTO by Wayne Takenaka
• • See "Diamond Lil" This Autumn! • • 
"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:
• • 7:00pm 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
• • 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.
• • Audience Comments about "Diamond Lil" • •
• • Gigi Garcone said:  Just saw "Diamond Lil" — — a very entertaining production! This tribute to the sultry, irresistible diva Mae West is a must see! All the actors are very talented and you can see they put their hearts into their roles. I especially liked Darlene Violette as Mae West and Joanna Bonaro as Rita, a madam from Rio. Darlene encompassed the whole persona of Mae and Joanna was sublime as the madam — — she really has such a presence on stage. Very enjoyable performance and it's worth the trip!
• • Rick Baynes of Baltimore said: I second Gigi's comments. "Diamond Lil" brings the fabulous Mae West back to life. The wonderful Darlene Violette is spot-on in her portrayal of the lusty, bawdy Mae. Do yourself a favor and go see this lovely production.

• • Mrs. Jean McLoughlin of NYC said:   I recently saw "Diamond Lil" and loved every minute. The entire cast was top-notch, and I was impressed with their creative use of the entire space. The characters really came to life and I was transported back to the raunchy days of Mae West. Darlene Violette gave a great performance as Diamond Lil  — — but Joanna Bonaro really shone as the sultry, venomous Rita. Joanna commands attention and I was more than willing to give it. Fantastic show, I highly recommend that everyone see it! Even my husband, who does not like theater, really enjoyed it.
• • At Jefferson Market Library in NYC next month • •
• • Mae West's legal woes inspired the stage play "Courting Mae West." See it on 23 November 2013 in the very same room where Mae faced off with Judge George Donnellan and 12 jurors. 

• • Darlene Violette stars as Mae West and the rest of the cast will soon be announced. 
• • The play, based on true events, is set during the Prohibition Era when Mae's plays were padlocked and she was sent to jail. Talk about a woman who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.. 
• • This free event is open to the public and there is ample seating. [Note: The humor and adult themes are not suitable for children under 13.]
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Oh, those law suits cost a lot."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • England's Design Week mentioned Mae West.
• • Design Week wrote:  1930s Hollywood icon Mae West is set for a revival, despite being dead for almost 30 years, under plans by her estate and photographic library Corbis' licensing arm. A raft of designers, including New York-based Kick Design and Seattle artist Harry Briggs, have created a brand language and imagery based on two personas — — a 'contemporary classic' Mae and an 'aniMae' caricature — — for product endorsement and merchandising.
• • Source: News Item: "1930s Hollywood icon Mae West" printed in Design Week UK;  published on Thursday, 30 October 2008
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2776th 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

• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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