• • "Mae West, Bette Davis Finally Meet" • •
• • HolIywood — — The Odd Couple, Distaff Side: Can you imagine a more Incongruous odd couple than Bette Davis and Mae West? Or a more incredible fact than that these two great ladies, who have been around movieland for quite a while, never set eyes on each other personally until just the other night?
• • Miss Davis hosted a small, Intimate dinner party for Miss West at the home she is currently leasing in the Hollywood Hills, and it was love at first sight [though not without some trepidation on both sides].
• • It seems Bette Davis has been a secret fan of Mae West for all these umpteen years, and now that she's in town for a while (for a Dean Martin roasting and a Universal and ABC suspense Movie of the Week, "Scream, Pretty Peggy"], she expressed a desire to meet La West — — who is likewise a long-time admirer of La Davis.
• • But Mae West, believe it or not, doesn't smoke or drink, has "no smoking" signs posted everywhere when she's making a movie, and takes a very dim view of anyone lighting up when they are In her presence. When reminded that Bette Davis isn't exactly an abstainer, Miss West asked, "She doesn't smoke cigars, does she?"
• • As it turned out, the two legendary grande dames of the film world clicked immediately. "You're nothing like you are on the screen," Bette told Miss West, as the demure Mae sat sipping orange juice, soft and ladylike in a white silk pantsuit. "I don't go around doing Diamond Lil unless I get paid for it," quipped Mae. . . .
• • Source: Syndicated column written by Norma Lee Browning rpt by the Chicago Tribune; published on Tuesday, 16 October 1973.
• • On Friday, 30 October 1925 • •
• • Vaudeville News wrote: Mae West is to be seen in a new act by Ted McLean, entitled "Salomy on Broadway," 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.
• • 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 • •
• • Now there is talk that Jim Aubrey and Hunt Stromberg Jr. will produce for Warner Brothers-Seven Arts a film version of a Mae West play, “Sextet,” starring Mae. It would be her first film since “The Heat’s On” 25 years ago.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I never loved another person as I loved myself.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • "I'm No Angel," the Mae West production, broke all house records at Newman Theatre in Kansas City and was held over for a second week. The country is West-conscious and you will be too when you see "I'm No Angel," booked for an early showing at the Dickinson Theatre in Missouri . . .
• • Source: Item in The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (Chillicothe, Missouri); published on Saturday, 28 October 1933
• • Note: Paramount Pictures obviously rushed out this portrait to promote Mae's next feature film. However, Mae-mavens can tell the wig is from "She Done Him Wrong." Mae's hairstyles looked more natural than this when she played Tira, the circus queen.
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 11th anniversary • •
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,200 blog posts. Wow!
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3300th 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 1933 • •
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It is of interest that you note that "I'm No Angel" was held over for a second week in Kansas City. It may be difficult to fathom today, but during the 1930's with television yet to invented, people went out to see a movie a couple of times a week. Product was pumped out at a fanatic pace for a film to be held over for a second week was an achievement. Many of Mae West's films were often had extended runs.
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