• • As Hitler's fame grew in Germany during the 1930s, it was not popular to discuss being Jewish. When John Moffitt (in November 1934) interviewed Mae, she told him about honing her talent at church socials.
• • John C. Moffitt quoted Mae: "I wonder what some of those sour guys that are always deriding me would think if they knew my first work was on a church circuit?" Mae once speculated. "I played at all the big Catholic lawn socials and I filled in with what Protestant time we could get."
• • John C. Moffitt noted: Mae recalls these associations with simple church folk very kindly. She is said to be a regular contributor to Catholic charities in Los Angeles and you occasionally see her at Mass, although never at the early ones. She is not a communicant, according to members of her household.
• • Though Irish, Mae's paternal grandparents' burial was neither Catholic nor Jewish. Jill Watts noted this detail: "Interment Records, Linden Hill Methodist Cemetery, Ridgewood, New York."
• • Mae's manager Irish-Catholic Jim Timony was a devout man who started every day with Mass. Mae often accompanied him to church.
• • Perhaps her fans have their own opinion but let's look at this item.
• • "Is Mae West Jewish?" • •
• • The Jewish Post has received many letters and inquiries concerning the “Jewishness of Mae West,” popular screen siren, and author of “Come up ’n see me sometime” [sic]. On two occasions we have stated that Miss West is our sister under the skin.
• • Walter Winchell said no • •
• • Walter Winchell has stated that Miss West is not Jewish, as did a screen publication. The Literary Digest stated that Mae West is one hundred per cent Jewish, and Helen Zigmund, Hollywood correspondent for several publications, said that the popular blonde is of the Jewish faith. Here is a fifty-fifty situation, two for and two against the question.
• • In order to secure for our readers the correct information, the Jewish Post is conducting a thorough search for the truth of the matter, and will announce our find in an early issue. (The Editor)
• • Source: Editor's note in Jewish Post, Indianapolis; published on Friday, 16 March 1934.
• • On Sunday, 16 March 1930 • •
• • Mae West's "Pleasure Man" trial began on 16 March 1930. The court proceedings inspired the stage play "Courting Mae West."
• • On Friday, 16 March 1934 in Los Angeles • •
• • Among the Oscar nominations for "Best Picture" was "She Done Him Wrong."
• • On Friday, 16 March 1934 in Los Angeles • •
• • The soundtrack to the motion picture "Belle of the Nineties" was recorded at Hollywood Paramount Studios in L.A. On Friday, 16 March 1934, Mae West did the vocals for "Memphis Blues" backed by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.
• • On Saturday, 16 March 1940 • •
• • Oh, my. A little birdie tells me he didn't like it.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Though somber, bereaved, and wearing mourning for her late mother, Mae West had to stuff a black handkerchief in her mouth to keep from laughing at this performance in the courtroom.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A description of a silent film mentioned Mae West.
• • "Daybreak" [1933] — An accomplished late silent starring Chinese screen goddess Li Lili, whose vivacious and sporty persona was somewhat at odds with her co-existing sex symbol image and her nickname ‘the Chinese Mae West.’ Lili plays Ling Ling, a country girl seeking work in the city who is forced in to prostitution but learns to use her position to help the oppressed poor . . .
• • Source: Film Synopsis — — screening flyer
• • 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 3399th 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 1940 • •
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