Mae West: May Hatch Eggs

The name MAE WEST is shared by other far-more-ordinary women. Normally, we don't give space to those lesser lights. But this news item is too good for the dustbin. Let us know if you agree.
• • The National Recovery Administration [N.R.A.] was a prime New Deal agency established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.  On 27 May 1935, in the court case of Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, the Supreme Court held the mandatory codes section of NIRA unconstitutional.
• • This request for advice on hatching eggs came from an Illinois poultry farmer, who signed her letter Mrs. Mae West (during the Depression in 1934).
• • "Mae West May Hatch Eggs for Her Neighbors" • •
• • Written by Elbert L. Herron (Class of 1936) for Daily Illini • •

• • Campus reporter Elbert L. Herron wrote: Mae West need no longer worry about the N.R.A. codes preventing her from hatching eggs for her neighbors. And Dillinger's hens will be all right if he will only feed them cod-liver oil.
• • These are bona fide excerpts from the letter file of the department of animal husbandry, and except for the fact that the Mae West concerned is married, and that Dillinger's first name is George, these letters are the most unusual of the month.
• • Mae's letter was addressed to H. H. Alp, extension specialist, and it read as follows: 
• • Mae West inquired:  I am wondering if you could tell me something I would like to know as soon as possible and, as I don't know who to write to, will bother you as you have helped me before with chicken problems. What I want to know is: Can I hatch eggs for my neighbors in a small way the same as I have been doing for the past 12 years?
• • Mae West explained: We live on a farm and I have two incubators. After I hatch my own chicks, I hatch for three or four neighbors. Some tell me I cannot do so this year.  I will be glad of anything you can tell me. — — Respectfully yours, Mrs. Mae West, Illinois.
• • Prof. L. E. Card of the department of animal husbandry wrote Mrs. Mae West and informed her that there is nothing to prevent you from doing custom hatching during 1934 if you wish to do it.   . . .
• • Source:  News from The Daily Illini; published on Saturday, 14 April 1934.
• • On Sunday, 14 April 1912 • •
• • This was the Sunday that the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and began sinking.
• • Meanwhile, in New York City the musical "A Winsome Widow" was staged on The Gay White Way from 11 April 1912 — 7 September 1912 at Moulin Rouge [1514 — 1516 Broadway at W. 44th St.]. Mae West was performing as Le Petite Daffy on that date a century ago.
• • On Saturday, 14 April 1973 in Hollywood • •
• • It was an SRO celebration on Saturday night, 14 April 1973 when the Masquers Club honored the Empress of Sex with a "Mae Day" tribute. Unlike previous honorees, Mae had insisted on performing a shimmy and singing "Frankie and Johnny." The ceremony was attended by Sidney Skolsky and many other notables.
• • For instance, Mae's "Myra Breckinridge" cast mate Jim Backus attended the Masquers Club's salute as one of her "Gentlemen in Waiting" (along with George Raft, Jack Larue, Steve Allen, Lloyd Nolan, etc.).
• • When the 1973 event was reborn in an audio format as "Mae Day: The Masquers Club Salutes Mae West CD" [1998], Mae-mavens could hear Jim Backus offering an amusing 4-minute tribute [exactly 4 minutes and 16 seconds long, if you want to get technical] to the buxom blonde guest of honor.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West did her first autograph for Snuff Garrett when she affixed her signature to their two-page agreement. By signing Mae was giving her commitment to "Autograph 2,000 Prints As Follows: Sin-cerely Mae West — — At A Time And Place Mutually Agreeable To You And Me."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • New York Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • The staff wrote: Marilyn Michaels is a female impressionist.  She impersonates Diana Ross, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, Barbra Streisand, and other famous persons. At Les Mouches. April 8-11, 1981.
• • Source: Item in New York Magazine; published on Monday, 13 April 1981
• • 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 recently when we completed 3,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3156th 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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