Thursday, January 16, 2014

Mae West: Lina Romay

MAE WEST starred in "The Heat Is On" [1943] and worked with the singing actress Lina Romay, who was born on January 16th.
• • Lina Romay [16 January 1919 — 17 December 2010] • •
• • Born in New York, NY on Thursday, 16 January 1919 was a little sweet face named Elena Maria Romay. Lillian Walstead, her mother, was Irish and Norwegian.  Porfirio A. Romay, her father, was Mexican; he became the Los Angeles consulate attaché. Their daughter was raised to speak Spanish and English. The budding young beauty excelled in singing, dancing, and athletics. 
• • In 1940, the pretty 21-year-old joined Cuban bandleader Xavier Cugat, as his leading female vocalist, which brought her to the attention of some film studios.
• • From 1942 — 1957 she made about twenty appearances on the silver screen and guest-starred five times on TV. Since Xavier Cugat was cast in "The Heat Is On," his lead vocalist was assigned a bit part as Lina. She was often typecast as a Latina.
• • In May 1957, her final opportunity was a modest part as Carmen on the variety show "The Red Skelton Hour."
• • A few years later, Mae West would star on the same TV series on Tuesday, 1 March 1960 after she released her memoir.
• • The attractive brunette was married three times and had high-profile romances with Jack Dempsey and others. 
• • On 30 June 53 she wed her second husband, Dr. Jay W. Gould III, a descendant of the prominent railroad financier, at the Westwood Lutheran Church in a quiet ceremony attended only by members of their families. The couple had two children and stayed married until Gould's death in 1987. 
• • Lina Romay died in Pasadena, California on 17 December 2010. She was 91.
• • On Tuesday, 16 January 1934 • •
• • My, oh my. It was another appearance in court, this time as a witness for the prosecution — — on 16 January 1934 — — when Mae West gave testimony about Edward Friedman, who had robbed her. Extensive courtroom coverage appeared in the Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express under this headline: "Officers Guard Movie Queen at Trial after Threats by Gangsters" on 16 January 1934.
• • On Wednesday, 16 January 1935 • •
• • In the middle of January — — on 16 January 1935 — — Joseph Breen was shooting off another memo about Mae West. "'Now I'm a Lady' seems to us to be a definite violation of the Code," he wrote. Because of the Hays Code, the script would be altered numerous times and the movie re-titled.
• • On Monday, 16 January 1950 in Newsweek • •
• • Newsweek readers who opened their issue dated 16 January 1950 [Vol. XXXV, No. 3] saw this article on page 46: "The Return of Mae West."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Bill Boyd, who has been around some time, heads a cast of newcomers including Bill Gargan, Betty Furness, and Wynne Gibson (who had Mae West's place until the red hot momma came along).
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • About Kate Smith, Mae West said: "Don't mention her name. It's like whistling in my dressing room."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The New Movie Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Here's Hoping: Just read that Lubitsch may direct Mae West in a talkie version of "The Czarina." How I hope that this proves to be more than mere rumor! Mae would be simply grand in the part — — she even looks a lot like the frisky empress. And with Lubitsch to put her through her paces — ! What a show! ...
• • Source:  The New Movie Magazine; issue dated for July 1933 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2833rd 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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• • Mae West actress who worked with Mae, 1943

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