Friday, October 11, 2013

Mae West: Belt of Mickey

Tongues were wagging on Sunday, 11 October 1959 and MAE WEST was on the tip.
• • A book reviewer noted: Here's a peek at four new ones: I suspect Mae West's "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" (Prentice Hall) will be a cause for speculation.
• • Hollywoodites are talking about Mae West's belting of Jayne Mansfield's hubby, Mickey Hargitay, in her "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" autobiography. Mickey, who once flexed his muscles in Mae's night club act, rates the wordage that he likes only three things: "publicity, sunbathing, and suntan lotion." Goodness gracious, here we go again. Could anyone be thinking of Mae, Jayne, and Mickey teaming up for a night club act? I can hear the orders now: ''Waiter, please bring me a Mickey on the rocks. Double strength."
• • Source: Article: "Mae's Belt of Mickey Is Cause for Speculation" (in syndication); published on Sunday, 11 October 1959.
• • On Saturday, 11 October 1930 • •
• • In the autumn of 1930, Mae West performed with the cast of "Sex" in the capital of Illinois. Invited by the Dill Pickle Club's founder John (Jack) Jones, the playwright and actress took to the stage on Saturday, 11 October 1930, and again on Saturday, 18 October 1930.
• • The Dill Pickle Club was thriving between 1914 — 1933 in The Windy City. Once one of Chicago’s best-known Bohemian nightspots, the club provided a forum for free speech as well as affording encouragement for artistic expression. Its patrons included Socialists, atheists, anarchists, “liberated” women, professional lecturers and soapbox orators, artists, actors, literary hopefuls and all sorts of unconventional types.
• • On Sunday, 11 October 1936 • •
• • On Sunday, 11 October 1936, Los Angeles Times readers saw this intriguing news item: "Mae West's Driver Hunted." Provocative, eh?
"Diamond Lil" PHOTO by Dan Lane Williams
• • 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:
• • 7:30pm 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.
• • 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.

• • 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: "I'm not just a star — — I'm a writer as well. And a thinker! I always keep busy."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in The New Movie Magazine in 1933 discussed Mae West.
• • Much of the news concerning racketeering and crime against motion picture celebrities is hushed. You will hear weird tales around the studios — tales of suave crooks whose henchmen even follow stars across the continent, and make extortion contacts aboard trains. Of course dozens of stars and executives are constantly accompanied by bodyguards.
• • The moment her chauffeur left her alone, while he stepped into a building on an errand, another car pulled alongside of Mae West's limousine. A revolver was poked through the window. "Diamond Lil" disgorged $16,000 in jewels, $34,000 in cash.  ...
• • Source: Article: The New Movie Magazine; published in February 1933 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2761st 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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