Thursday, May 28, 2015

Mae West: Flagged

MAE WEST had her portrait done by many — — including James Montgomery Flagg.
• • James Montgomery Flagg [18 June 1877 — 27 May 1960] • •
• • American artist James Montgomery Flagg asked Mae West to sit for a portrait.
• • The current owner is the Museum of the City of New York; it's part of their Theatre Collection.
• • In the month of May, we celebrate Mr. Flagg, who loved to sketch the stars of stage, screen, and comedy; performers who were members of The Lambs Club; variety artists and singers, and who always did such a wonderful job of it. 
• • Flagg, who was famous for his Uncle Sam poster, died in New York City on Friday, 27 May 1960. He was 82.
• • Mae's illustration by J.M. Flagg
• • On Monday, 28 May 1934 • •
• • The Australian audience embraced "the new star" in their midst when their movie-houses showed "She Done Him Wrong" down under. But their local critics did not have the same reaction to "I'm No Angel."
• • On Monday, 28 May 1934, a lengthy article in The Argus emphasized that the second comedy "shows Mae West as a type rather than an actress."  The Argus found other faults but we'll only mention their viewpoint on this: "In her first film she had a good story and the support of a brilliant cast.  In 'I'm No Angel' she has an ordinary story and a commonplace cast.  Her own part is much the same as it was in 'She Done Him Wrong,' but the setting is very different.  . . ."  [Source: page 5 of The Argus; 28 May 1934.]
• • Nevertheless, the film did good box office and Mae's stock rose even higher in Tinseltown after two successes in the States, What is your opinion? Which Mae West film is your personal favorite?
• • On Tuesday, 28 May 1935 • •
• • The Straits Times in Singapore carried this headline: "Mae West Marriage Claim — —   Come Up and See My Lawyer Some Time."  Uh-oh. Trouble brewing.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Now Shirley Temple is a candidate for the Mae West treatment.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "If you select your characters and the atmosphere in which they live with sufficient care, you don't have to use much imagination to make them colourful or their story interesting. In newspaper language, you don't write them up. Instead you write them down."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An art gallery's exhibition materials mentioned Mae West.
• • "Mary Beth Edelson, Feminist Humor as Political Device at Princeton University"  — — displayed from March 28th — May 7th, 2015
• • Artist: Mary Beth Edelson — — Drawing:  Mae West — There is Never Only One Game in Town, 1997, mixed media on jute tag, 12" x10"
• • Source: Accola Griefen Gallery, NYC; posted in March 2015
• • 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 3,497 visitors. And 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 3188th 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 • by artists

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