Monday, February 16, 2015

Mae West: Chez Paree

MAE WEST shattered all attendance records at Chez Paree.  Here's the entertainer with co-owner Jay "Jack" Schatz at The Chez Paree in 1955 after a night of performing.
• • During its glory days, this popular supper club was the place to catch performances by Lena Home, Sophie Tucker, and (of course) Mae West, always backed by its in-house chorus line.
• • When Mae brought her show to Chicago's Chez Paree, Variety reviewed the act on Wednesday, 16 February 1955.
• • Variety wrote "The femme ringsiders give blushing gasps of admiration to the musclemen, while their paunchy or anemic escorts cringe before the display of physical excellence."  . . .
• • Source: Review in Variety; published on Wednesday, 16 February 1955
• • On Wednesday, 16 February 1927 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • One of the NYC vice squad detectives giving evidence against Mae West, Inspector A. Bolan informed the magistrate he was in possession of wondrously detailed notes that he jotted down in shorthand in the dark while watching "Sex" at Daly's Theatre. But when he had to read from his "cheat sheet" in front of ladies and the D.A., the man in blue balked. 
• • Broadcast on Thursday, 16 February 1950 • •
• • From "Mae West On The Air" [Sandy Hook LP and CD SH 2098]
• • "Little Red Riding Hood" performed by Mae West (from "The Chesterfield Supper Club" program aired on Thursday, 16 February 1950).
• • "The Chesterfield Supper Club" was broadcast by NBC and sponsored by Chesterfield.
• • On Thursday, 16 February 1950 in Rochester • •
• • Rarely did Mae West miss a performance. When she did, however, it made the news.
• • On Thursday, 16 February 1950, Mae was starring in her popular Bowery drama "Diamond Lil" at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, NY — — when she collapsed onstage. At first it was thought that she was suffering from food poisoning.
• • A news reporter wrote: Mae West collapsed on the stage at Rochester last night, but the show went on. She was unable to continue with the third act of the play,
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West warbles four numbers, one, "Scandalizin' My Name," counter-pointed with Negro spirituals being particularly effective to eye and ear.  Leo McCarey's direction has flavor and distinction.  Exploited smartly, "Belle of the Nineties" should do Golden West business even though repeat bookings may or may not be so abundant.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "I had to have the spotlight more than anything else, shining full on me. I ached for the spotlight — — which was like the strongest man's arm around me, like an ermine coat."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The N.Y. Times mentioned Mae West.
• • On Tuesday, 15 February 1927, in the West Side court, Mae West and her producers were offered the possibility of an 'implied immunity' in return for pulling the show. They turned it down. 
• • Source: Article in The N.Y. Times; published on Wednesday, 16 February 1927
• • 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 1,430 visitors. We reached a milestone this week: 3,100 posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3115th 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 1955, Chez Paree

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