Mae West: Scandals

MAE WEST is discussed in a new book. In "Scandals of Classic Hollywood," the University of Texas grad Anne Helen Petersen analyzes the machinery of celebrity gossip.

• • Reviewer Melanie Haupt explained:  For example, Anne Helen Petersen's breakdowns of the scandals behind Depression-era bombshells Jean Harlow and Mae West reveal the ways in which women's sexuality was circumscribed and how both women in the Hollywood spotlight massaged their images to make them more palatable to Will Hays' prescriptive Production Code. When Harlow's icy-blond hair became a signifier of her image as a man-eater (the alleged affair with married boxer Max Baer didn't help, either), studio fixers stepped in and not only arranged for her to marry a safe, older man, they also ditched the peroxide and tinted her hair a tamer shade of "brownette." Mae West's bawdy take-it-or-leave-it embrace of the double entendre sent the censors into a tizzy — — and made West a very rich woman in the process.
• • Source: Article written by Melanie Haupt for The Austin Chronicle;  published on  Friday, 24 October 2014.
• • On Friday, 31 October 1919 in Variety • •
• • In the write-up of Ned Wayburn's "Demi-Tasse Revue" at the Capitol Theatre (a movie house on Broadway with a wide stage for vaudeville acts), Variety mentioned Mae West on 31 October 1919, noting that she "also scored as a single with a burlesque 'shimmy' number."
• • On Friday, 24 October 1919 Mae West also sang "Oh, What a Moanin' Man."
• • On Monday, 31 October 1932 • •
• • Mordaunt Hall reviewed two motion pictures starring Mae West: "Night after Night" [NYT, 31 October 1932] and "I'm No Angel" [NYT, 13 October 1933] and loved both.
• • The gala premiere on Saturday, 29 October 1932, revealed that "Night After Night" was only 73 minutes long. And no one remembers anything at all about this sobering speakeasy film except for the hilarious moments when Mae West was onscreen. Actor George Raft said, "She stole everything but the cameras."
• • On Tuesday, 31 October 1933 • •
• • Headlines on this date emphasized the big box office Mae's movie was doing. For instance,  "West Bubbles Hub [Boston] for $47,000" was circulated by wire on Tuesday, 31 October 1933.
• • On Tuesday, 31 October 1933 in New York World-Telegram • •
• • Mae West told Douglas Gilbert, a vaudeville reporter, "Women much prefer to be feminine, believe me."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • King-siding at Mae's sensational nightclub debut in Las Vegas was laughing boy, Johnny Ray — — once again with his ex — — Marilyn Morrison.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:   “Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Westchester Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Westchester Magazine wrote:  The Tarrytown Music Hall—This 843-seat Queen Anne-style theater is one of only 6 percent of all US theaters built before 1900. In 1976, the village proposed the structure be demolished to make room for a parking lot, but it was saved by the nonprofit The Friends of the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory and placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1980. The eclectic lineup of performers and speakers that have graced its stage include Mae West, Woodrow Wilson, Gregg Allman, and Joan Rivers.
• • Source: Article on Tarrytown in Westchester Magazine; published on Thursday, 16 October 2014
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 1,223 visitors. 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3038th 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 • • in 1935 • •
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Mae West: Salomy on Broadway

A year before she starred in her own play "Sex," MAE WEST was active on the vaudeville circuit and rehearsing new material. In October 1925 she was starring as the biblical character Salome, the daughter of King Herod II and Herodias, in a frisky feature in New Jersey.
• • Vaudeville News wrote:  Mae West is to be seen in a new act by Ted McLean, entitled "Salomy on Broadway," under under the booking direction of Alf T. Wilton. A special set is to be carried with the supporting company consisting of eight people. The act opened at Red Bank, New Jersey this week.
• • Source: Item in Vaudeville News; published on Friday, 30 October 1925.
• • True Mae-mavens will recognize that name.  After Mae West read the play "Following the Fleet" (written by J.J. Byrne and Ted McLean), it did not suit her idea of a vehicle that would make the most of her talents. Working with a female collaborator, Mae reworked their script into "Sex."
• • 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 • •
• • Carl Brisson presented Mae West with a duck. She takes the duck to the studio every day and lets him swim in the fish pond. She calls him "Scram" because whenever she says "scram!" to him he hides under the sofa.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I'm a tonic to tired housewives. My style of vamping makes the women rest easy.  I, myself, hate those slinky dames." 
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Columbia Daily Spectator mentioned Mae West on the front page.
• • "Freshmen Succumb to Mae West Lure" • •
• • The Mae West influence has "got" the Freshmen. The yearlings were having their tri-weekly swimming lesson. One of their number dove into the pool and stayed beneath the surface for a long time. As the seconds passed and the swimmer failed to reappear, the suspense of the onlookers became terrific. Finally a small white-faced Frosh standing at the foot of the pool could restrain himself no longer. Half anxiously, half facetiously, he leaned forward and murmured faintly, "Why don't you come up some time?" He came up.
• • Source: Item on page 1 in Columbia Daily Spectator (NYC);  published on Monday, 30 October 1933
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 1,223 visitors. 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3037th 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
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1926 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West: Gibson Girl Mode

A new motion picture starring MAE WEST always gave good box office.
• • "Mae West, at Embassy, Sets Attendance Mark" • •
• • Mae West's amazing new contribution to screen history "Belle of the Nineties," now at the Embassy theatre, reveals the Paramount screen sensation more beautiful and alluring than ever as the foremost charmer of the gallant Southland of the Gay and Naughty Nineties.
• • Miss West plays the part of a diamond-crusted charmer • •

• • With Roger Pyror her leading man as a two-fisted ring hero, John Mack Brown as a gallant lover, and John Miljan as the "tall and dark" menace, Miss West plays the part of a diamond-crusted charmer, who gives up her title of burlesque queen of St. Louis to become the sweetheart of New Orleans. The plot, which includes a prizefight reminiscent of the former glory of the ring, a diamond theft, a murder, and a fire, serves to bring Miss West through the whirlwind of action and love-making to the arms of her true love, Pryor. Prominently cast in the supporting roles are Katherine DeMille, a recent acquisition of the screen, Libby Taylor, Warren Hymer, and Stuart Holmes.
• • And, furnishing a background of entrancing rhythms for Miss West's songs, are Duke Ellington and his orchestra. The whole is sumptuously and elaborately set in a careful reconstruction of the dazzling New Orleans of the latter part of the last century.
• • Costumes in the Gibson girl mode • •
• • The costumes, many of which are adaptions of the Gibson girl mode, are among the most beautiful ever seen on the screen.  Under the expert hand of director Leo McCarey, the original story, by Miss West herself, has been woven into an entrancing, eye-filling, laugh- and-drama packed spectacle, which goes even beyond the blonde charmer's recent smash successes.
• • Source: Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania); published on Monday, 29 October 1934.
• • On Wednesday, 29 October 1930 • •
• • "Mae West is getting ready to shock the smaller burgs," noted Variety in its issue dated for Wednesday, 29 October 1930.  The touring company Mae assembled for her play "Sex" was already wrapping up its Chicago engagement. "Sex" was booked into theatres in Detroit, St. Louis, and Cleveland, where Mae starred onstage in the role of Margy LaMont.
• • On Saturday, 29 October 1932 • •
• • The gala premiere on Saturday, 29 October 1932, revealed that "Night After Night" was only 73 minutes long. No one remembers anything about this film except for the hilarious moments when Mae West was onscreen.
• • On Thursday, 29 October 1959 in New Statesman • •
• • Mae West's memoir was reviewed by Maurice Richardson. His critique of "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" [NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1959] appeared on page 657 of the New Statesman on Thursday, 29 October 1959. Published when Mae was 66 years old, the sunny-side-up narrative focuses on her triumphs and downplays (or omits) any inconvenient setbacks.
• • On Wednesday, 29 October 2008 • •
• • Diane Shipley's article "Women authors aren't funny? Don't make me laugh,"  published in London's Guardian on Wednesday, 29 October 2008, provoked feedback from 50 readers.  Many emphasized the achievements of the endlessly quoted Mae West.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hard times at Muriel Cigars saw sales greatly decreased. Muriel's first commercials of the 1950s featured an animated cigar with Mae West's face and insinuating voice.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Back in the 18th century, when everybody had long white hair, great ladies used to receive callers in the bedroom. It was considered class."
• • Mae West said: "A book author had more freedom of expression than the stage permitted at that time."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Australia newspapers mentioned Mae West.
• • "Mae West Seeking Divorce" • •
• • LOS ANGELES, October 28 — — Mae West has announced that she is filing a suit for divorce against Frank Wallace, whom she married in 1911. Her action is a reply to Wallace's suit for separate maintenance.
• • Source: Item in Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW);  published on Wednesday, 29 October 1941
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 1,223 visitors. 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3036th 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
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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