• • Film Review: "Belle of the Nineties" • •
• • . . . Then at the end of it all, the Belle is seen marrying her sweetheart (not the rich young man), a little ostentatiously before a Justice of the Peace.
• • "She depresses the quelt casualness of speech to ... a pianissimo" • •
• • Even though Miss West's reformation has taken away that piquant acidity which made her earlier work so vivid, she remains an extraordinarily picturesque figure. Her costumes and the dressing of her light hair make a gay extravaganza on the styles of 40 years ago — — flamboyant enough in themselves without the aid of exaggeration. The success of her style depends on under-statement in the inflections of the spoken word. Sometimes she depresses the quelt casualness of speech to such a pianissimo that it barely registers; but the Mae West followers are now so numerous and so undaunted that they will probably fill in with their own imaginations the points in the dialogue which pass over their collective heads. There Is more plot In "Belle of the Nineties" than In the earlier West creations. Towards the end, the superb sang-froid which the Belle brings to bear on a tangled situation, which Involves robbery, swindling of creditors, incendiarism, and murder, is deliciously grotesque. The copious period furnishings, complete to the last antimacassar, add to the genial spirit of the play. Released by Paramount, "Belle of the Nineties," is being screened at the Prince Edward Theatre.
• • This has been Part 2 (the conclusion). To read Part 1, see yesterday's post.
• • Note: The word "quelt" has a Scottish origin. Here's how to use it as a transitive verb: v. 1. tr. (1) Gen. of a woman: to tuck up (the skirts) so as to leave the legs free (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 88); to roll up (the sleeves) (Sh. 1960). Also with up. Gen.Sc. Ppl.adj. kilted, -et, tucked up, rolled up. [Yes, dear readers. you're welcome!]
• • Source: Film Review in The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW); published on Monday, 28 January 1935.
• • Happy Birthday on the 29th of January • •
• • Happy Birthday to actress Ann Jillian (born on Sunday, 29 January 1950), who portrayed Mae West in the 1982 TV bio-pic of the same name. Jillian was 32 when she starred in "Mae West" on the small screen.
• • Happy Birthday to actor Tom Selleck (born on Monday, 29 January 1945). It's been said by a few people that Mae West first noticed Tom Selleck in a Pepsi commercial. She was responsible for getting Selleck cast as The Stud in "Myra Breckenridge" [1970] when he was 25 years old.
• • On Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn • •
• • Mae West was a witness at her younger sister's wedding, which took place on a weekday, Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn City Hall, not far from the West family's Brooklyn residence.
• • On Sunday, 29 January 1978 in Sunday Express • •
• • Since "Sextette" had a British director, articles discussing what happened on the set in Hollywood popped up in the British tabloids. An article discussing a scene filmed in a mock elevator appeared in Sunday Express on 29 January 1978.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • "Sin and Sunday" • •
• • "She convinces me that sin isn't as unattractive as I thought it was," Billy Sunday smiled, "that is, not her kind of sin."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "If you need a face job, why not?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The e-book "Rites of Passage: Mae West Society" mentioned Mae West.
• • The provocative Mae West Society wants to induct Lila, age 18, into their secret organization. She must complete a personal challenge of merit or fail to be accepted. . . .
• • "To join our elite entourage you must prove yourselves worthy of membership," the ice queen continued. The room erupted in unison. "In the name of Mae West, we always do our best!" . . . The Mae West members wore a special garter with their initiation date on their left thigh at all times. Unlike other groups, they only took a select few each year. . . .
• • Source: Excerpt from a 36-page e-book written by Alyssa Lingers; self published on Friday, 20 March 2015
• • 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 3,300 blog posts. Wow!
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3366th 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 1932 • •
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