Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Mae West: Sexy Sin

Interviews with MAE WEST in 1932 can be more fascinating than the later ones, when the movie star had already developed her armor, offering up predictable (rehearsed) quips instead of revealing her emotions. All the same, Mae had already started image-crafting, pretending  she did not smoke, drink, nor party.  Though Mae was 39 by then, she gave her age as 31.
• • Madge Tennant wrote this article for Movie Classic.
• • Mae West, Broadway's Most Daring Actress, Is in Hollywood • •
• • Playwright—Actress, Whose Plays about Sex Have Often Been Raided, Will Make One Film — — Is Different From What Hollywood Expected • •
• • Madge Tennant wrote:  To thousands of people who love to be shocked, the name of Mae West stands for plays and novels that portray gilded and sexy sin.  Every new Mae West production on Broadway brings a new gasp, thrill, blush, shudder, shock or shiver, according to the nature of the theatregoer. And now this blonde author—actress, whose plays abound with seductive sinners, effeminate men, Diamond Lils and gigolos, has come to the capital of sex. You will see her in "Night After Night," with Nancy Carroll and George Raft. And if the public likes her in this picture, you will probably see more of her.
• • "Divine!" says Mae of Hollywood.
• • But she did not look especially happy when we saw her at the Legion boxing matches the other night, with her manager. She looked about her, frowning, and few people noticed her.
• • "Oh, it's divine not to be recognized," Mae insists. "I'm so happy to be able to go about without being followed by crowds."
• • Her manager adds: "I have refused a thousand dollars a night just to have Miss West visit a night-club so that they can advertise that she has been there. Despite popular opinion — probably because of the sensational nature of her plays — Miss West does not indulge in night life after the theatre. She doesn't drink, and she doesn't smoke. But she often sits up to three in the morning in her apartment, writing plays, novels, songs."  . . .
• • This was Part 1 of two parts; to be concluded tomorrow.
• • Source:  Article written by Madge Tennant for Movie Classic; issue dated for September 1932.
• • Friday, 13 April 1934 • •
• • It was on Friday, 13 April 1934 that Mae West appeared on the cover of Film Weekly in the United Kingdom.  Jolly good show.
• • On Saturday, 13 April 1935 • •
• • "Mae West Wants Everything to Be Clean" • •
• • Mae West told a foreign journalist: "I'm for clean pictures and clean everything."
• • Source: Article in The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld); published on Saturday, 13 April 1935.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • 'Tis said here and there that "Diamond Lil" herself may come to the screen if Mae West and Columbia come to terms.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "My pictures do not shock me, but I have been genuinely shocked by stories and some scenes that I have seen in the pictures."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A campus paper in Washington, D.C.  mentioned Mae West.
• • "Social Notes" by Emily Nicklas • •
• • The campus was not entirely deserted this Easter.  Frankie reports good times had at a certain home in Wesley Heights. Those in town were at Polly Monarchs and Frankie Fellows tacky party.  Marge Stuart and Web Ramsey as Apaches. Sis Noble and Myra Bronson in lounging pajamas. Brace Hartwell in a certain young lady's night gown.  Frankie Fellows in imitation of Mae West.  ...
• • Source: Item in American Eagle;  published on Friday, 13 April 1934
• • 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 3,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3419th 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 • in 1934

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