Mae West: Was It $300,000

In July 1970, The Australian Women's Weekly discussed MAE WEST and her eagerly awaited return to the silver screen in a lengthy, unhurried article.  This is Part 7.
• • She's NOT Myra Breckinridge, but Mae Gets the Top Billing • •
• • Leticia Van Allen, an entertainer • • 
• • Don Prince wrote:   Mae plays a Western character by the name of Leticia Van Allen, an entertainer who has inherited an agency, now solely used for the selection and sponsorship of leading men.
• • Mr. Fryer did not come by the talents of Mae easily.  Not only was the aforesaid large amount of money, reportedly in the neighborhood of $300,000, to be put up, but Mae demanded and got the right to write her own lines and top billing over Raquel and John Huston, who plays an old-time Western star in the movie.
• • There was talk at one time that Mae also wanted to name her own director, with George Cukor being prominently mentioned.  But Michael Same, a young English director, selected by Fryer and the studio, was found to be acceptable after Mae had a good look at this youthful and vigorous physique and  handsome countenance.
• • "This is not a comeback. I've never been away." • •  . . .
• • This was Part 7. This article continues tomorrow with Part 8.
• • Source: Article "Mae Gets Top Billing" written by Don Prince for The Australian Women's Weekly; published on Wednesday, 1 July 1970.
• • On Tuesday, 21 July 1936 • •
• • On Tuesday, 21 July 1936 this curious article was printed in The New York Herald.
• • "Mae West Type of Posture Is Hit by Doctor" was a health how-to, informing readers that Mae's posture and the "society slouch" for women, and the military carriage for men, were condemned as menaces to health by Dr. Olive B. Williams of Worcester, Mass. ... The Mae West figure, with its wasp waist and held-in abdomen, its squared back shoulders and upper body bent forward, is bad for feminine health, said Dr. Williams ....
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The Hays Office wrote: "We judge from your letter that during part of this picture, Miss West will be masquerading as an exponent of religion or a religious worker."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Bodyguards look after me."
• • Quote, Unquote • •

• • A site devoted to Bing Crosby mentioned Mae West.
• • "There used to be a regular feature in Vanity Fair Magazine called the impossible interview. For instance, Einstein and Mae West would be combined. How would they talk to each other? I loved to book that way — — one from the old guard and one from the new. They all got along well together and had a ball.”  . . .
• • Source: Item from Bing Magazine; date unknown
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 13th anniversary • •  
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eleven years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started thirteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3749th 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 1934 • •
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