Mae West: Cinema Kisses

Hollywood make-up artist Wally Westmore had a lot to say about how expertly MAE WEST smooched onscreen.  "If all the stars kissed like Mae West, my job would be comparatively easy. There's no bank, turn, or wing-over to her kisses — — so there isn't much of a lipstick smudge to repair afterwards."
• • Walter 'Wally' James Westmore [13 February 1906 — 3 July 1973] was Head of the Makeup Department of Paramount Pictures when Mae was under contract there.
• • Wally Westmore had many opportunities to work with the Brooklyn bombshell.  It is terribly amusing to hear what an Englishwoman wrote for The Times, undaunted by the fact that she never met the screen icon. Let us know what you thought of this.
• • Camilla Long  wrote:  How much is too much lipstick? Mae West was clear on the matter — “too much make-up ruins kisses” — but everyone knows she was a lying cat, an arch seductress and diamond-eater who spent up to six hours trowelling it on before her men friends arrived. On top of panstick went powder, on top of powder went eye shadow, on top of eye shadow went lashes, on top of lashes went liner, then mascara, feathers, satin and, finally, a hard crust of glittering stones. The final touch was bright-red lipstick, a slash as brash as a postman’s blush.  ...
• • Source: Article in The Sunday Times [U.K.];  published on Sunday, 4 March 2012.
• • On Saturday, 19 February 1927 • •
• • Mae West was interested in meeting Aimee Semple McPherson. When the famous Evangelist from Los Angeles visited New York on Saturday, 19 February 1927, she insisted on visiting Texas Guinan's club. Mae West was there to meet this intriguing individual with her marcel-waved hair and charismatic podium presence who dared to tell church-goers at collection time, "No coins, please."
• • On Monday, 19 February 1940 in Life Magazine • •
• • The cover of Life Magazine's issue dated for Monday, 19 February 1940 featured the King of Romania. Inside were two aristocrats of comedy: Mae West and W.C. Fields.
• • On Monday, 19 February 2001 in Broadway to Vegas • •
• • Laura Deni wrote: The 7th Annual Red Ball held on Valentine's Day at the Waldorf in New York City, honored Clive Davis and Elaine and Jerry Orbach. During this year's event honoree Jerry Orbach divulged that as a struggling actor he needed a job to pay the bills so he got a job as Mae West's chauffeur [from Ms. Deni's fascinating weekly issue dated 19 February 2001].
• • Check out Broadway to Vegas, always a treat.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Paramount and Metro have two troublesome women on their hands. At Paramount, it's a gal named Mae West. At Metro, a more platinum blonde named Jean Harlow. Both producers are thinking hard what they can do about them in the light of the church movement.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "A man's kiss is his signature!"
• • Mae West said: "I have found men who didn't know how to kiss. I've always found time to teach them."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Daily Illini mentioned Mae West.
• • "Mae Wins Round in $ 1,000,000 Suit" • •
• • Los Angeles, Feb. 17 (UP) — — Mae West of the screen won a preliminary round today in the $1,000,000 suit brought against her by Mark Linder, playwright. Superior Judge W. Turney Fox sustained her demurrer to the suit but allowed Linder's lawyer 20 days in which to file an amended complaint.
• • In his suit, Linder charged that, as the author of "Diamond Lil,"  a play in which Miss West once starred, he had an agreement whereby she was to divide the proceeds with him when the play was sold to Paramount Pictures. He charged he did not receive his full share of the proceeds.  . . .
• • Source: Item in The Daily Illini (Illinois);  published on Friday, 18 February 1938 
• • 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 3118th 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 • • onscreen in 1933 • •
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