• • Most folks have known a Mae or two in their lifetime. But Sharony Andrews Green, a journalist and self-taught artist, sees Maes everywhere. Some are successful and famous Maes such as Mae West, Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, or Mae Jemison, the first black woman astronaut.
• • Ms. Green also observes that the richest and most powerful women in the American economy just happen to be named Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Sallie Mae.
• • Most commonly, though, Green's Maes are sassy, no nonsense, resilient, resourceful and enterprising black women with an attitude, ranging from grandmother Lillie Mae to the women she sees everyday waiting at a bus stop. In her first book, Cuttin' the Rug Under the Moonlit Sky, Green documents the strength and spirit of these women with humorous anecdotal prose and bright colorful drawings.
• • According to Green, who has become quite the expert on Mae-isms with the publishing of her book, Maes aren't necessarily black and they don't actually have to be named Mae. Green explains that "Mae" has become a term of endearment. "Get to know and love a person long enough and you might just hear the word 'Mae' roll off your tongue," says Green. "It's like giving someone a big hug." Maes live in your neighborhood; they are teachers, girlfriends and people you don't even know. The tales of Maes in this book are universal and easily recognizable. Ella Mae dances to feed her children; Rosie Mae has got a man that will do anything for her; and Freda Mae has always been known to do things her way. They are a combination of fleeting memories and stories of women who are dreamers and survivors moving to their own beat. The Crisis is proud to present these selections from Greens' new book. Come meet a cast of colorful characters from a quirky new talent. . . .
• • Adapted from "Cuttin' the Rug Under the Moonlit Sky" by Sharony Andrews Green. [NY: Doubleday, 1997].
• • Source: The New Crisis, issue dated for December/ January 1997.
• • On Tuesday, 3 December 1935 • •
• • The Cornell Daily Sun, Volume 56, Number 59, 3 December 1935 ran an interesting article — "The Champ Meets a Notable." Illustrating the text was a photo of Mae West standing between two men: heavyweight champ Jim Braddock and his buddy Joe Zigg. It seems that Mae gave these handsome fellows a tour of Hollywood film studios. Mae could always spot a good-looking guy.
• • On Friday, 3 December 1965 • •
• • "Day Tripper" is a song by The Beatles, released as a double A-side single with "We Can Work It Out" on Friday, 3 December 1965 in the U.K. Mae West covered this song on her 1966 album "Way Out West." Her album was re-released in 2008 on CD.
• • On Wednesday, 3 December 1969 • •
• • Source: The Stanford Daily; published on Wednesday, 3 December 1969.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Nathan Silver at the Strand in Lowell, Mass., put his cashier to work three day ahead on "Goin' to Town" calling numbers asking "Is Mae West at the Strand on Saturday?" and, on opening day, the call was repeated with "this is Mae West speaking. I hope to see you at the Strand today."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Keep a diary and one day it'll keep you."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Columbia Daily Spectator mentioned Mae West.
• • Some who have included Barry Grael in their companies are Peter Lorre and Mae West. Mae West! Wow! And now he is to direct "Othello!" . . .
• • Source: Item in Columbia Daily Spectator (NYC); published on Tuesday, 1 December 1953
• • 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 3325th 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/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1932 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC Mae West
No comments:
Post a Comment