Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Mae West: Red Carpet Exhibit

Photos of MAE WEST are in an interesting exhibition currently on view in SoHo.
• • The gallery of Janet Borden (560 Broadway, #601, NYC 10012) is the place to go to see the exhibit called "Red Carpet Press Pass."  The images by veteran photo-journalist Robert Cumming portray a Tinseltown that predates Botox, Photoshop, and Facebook, a spotlight-washed sphere where celebrities had only their magnetism and star quality to help them stand out on the red carpet.
• • If the individual was a marquee name, he or she will be on exhibit in Robert Cumming's "Red Carpet Press Pass" collection.  Don't miss these fine images.
• • "Diamond Lil" has a promo trailer • •
• • The co-producers of "Diamond Lil" put together a 3-minute trailer for the drama, which will resume performances on Sunday evening, October 27th. 
• • Link:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfbJHhw47OQ
• • On Sunday, 9 October 1928 • •
• • The Cornell Daily Sun wrote: Mae West, Broadway star and playwright, is under indictment as the author of an indecent theatrical performance following the closing of her latest play, "Pleasure Man," and the arrest of members of the cast.
• • Source: News Item in The Cornell Daily Sun; published on Sunday, 9 October 1928.
• • On Friday, 9 October 1931 • •
• • It was Friday, 9 October 1931 when an intriguing item appeared in The Evening Herald. Hollywood news man W.E. Oliver had written: Mae West is writing another play for herself. She plans it for next season, but reveals nothing concerning its title or theme other than: It is a historical romance of the sixteenth century and these few hints have emerged.
• • “The Greeks knew their stuff.... Aristotle you know, laid down the dictum that plays should be written about kings and queens," said Mae West. "I go Aristotle one better and insist that she be a bad queen.... When I’m seen in New York in a new role, I will be seen wearing ermine.”
• • On Sunday, 9 October 1932 • •
• • Harry Warner of Warner Bros. heard industry gossip that made him cable Will Hays on Sunday, 9 October 1932.  Harry Warner wrote:  Please wire immediately whether I can believe my ears that Paramount has arranged to make "Diamond Lil" with Mae West. Recollect it was absolutely definite that "Diamond Lil" was not to be produced. ...
• • On Saturday, 9 October 1948 • •
• • If you were reading The Los Angeles Times on Saturday, 9 October 1948, then you would have seen this headline: "Writers Ask Retrial in $100,000 Suit Against Mae West."  
• • As Mae would have said of these two scribblers who challenged her in court, "The nerve of a brass monkey."
PHOTO: 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:
• • 7:30pm 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 give 'em what they want to see."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Wilson's Auction mentioned Mae West.
• • Memorabilia and collectibles featuring the legendary Mae West and many other iconic stars of the stage, screen, and sporting world will be up for bid at Wilson’s Auction, 344 Valleybrook Rd., Chester Heights, PA on Wednesday, 16 October 2013. The auction begins at 2:00pm.  Tinseltown's glamour, past glories, glitz, and former giftbag goodies will be available to new owners including signed books, dolls, pictures, artwork, and other exclusive items, featured in Artemis Production’s “Hollywood and Sports Collection,” on display now at Wilson’s for anyone who cares to preview before making a purchase.
• • Assembled by Barbara Ann Zippi, owner of Artemis Productions, these curiosities and keepsakes were amassed over the past half century from her career contacts. ...
• • Source: Press Release; posted on Tuesday, 8 October 2013
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2759th 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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