Mae West: Not an Abstainer

It was Tuesday,  16 October 1973 when MAE WEST had her first co-starring role at a dinner party.  Norma Lee Browning gives us the details. This is Part 2 of 3 parts.
• • "Mae West, Bette Davis finally meet" • •
• • A Smoking Good Time • •
• • Norma Lee Browning wrote:  But Mae West, believe it or not, doesn't smoke or drink, has "no smoking" signs posted everywhere when she is making a movie, and takes a very dim view of anyone lighting up when they are In her presence. When reminded that Bette Davis isn't exactly an abstainer, Miss West asked, "She doesn't smoke cigars, does she?"
• • Norma Lee Browning wrote:  As it turned out, the two legendary grande dames of the film world clicked immediately.

• • "You're nothing like you are on the screen," Bette told Miss West, as the demure Mae sat sipping orange juice, soft and ladylike In a white silk pantsuit.
• • "I don't go around doing Diamond Lii unless I get paid for it," quipped Mae.
• • Stanley Musgrove escorted Mae • •  . . .
• • Source: Story in Norma Lee Browning's gossip column for Chicago Tribune; published on Tuesday,  16 October 1973.
• • On Friday, 5 October 1928 • •
• • "Mae West Show Closed by Police; 57 Indicted" • •
• • New York, October 4 — The 56 members of the cast of "Pleasure Man" and Mae West its author, were indicted today by the Grand Jury ... under the penal code relating to indecent theatrical productions and will be arraigned in general sessions tomorrow.
• • The accused were taken to the West Side court after the indictments had been handed down but the hearing was adjourned at the request of District Attorney Banton.
• • Source: Article in Cornell Daily Sun, Issue 11, on Friday, 5 October 1928.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The National Legion of Decency was formed in October of 1933, six months after the release of Mae's feature film "She Done Him Wrong."  Legion officials cited Mae West and the film as one of the major reasons for the "necessity" of the organization.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:   "You're never too old to become younger."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Variety mentioned Mae West.
• • "Sex Drive" • •
• • An item appeared in Variety in May of 1973.  Mae West mentioned she was writing a new book "Sex Drive," that would include real names and be largely autobiographical.
• • Either Mae couldn't find a publisher in 1973 or the 80-year-old icon was giving that frisky title a test drive — — and then went straight to the idea junkyard and abandoned this brain-storm.  . . .
• • Source: Item in Variety; published on Monday, 21 May 1973
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 13th anniversary • •  
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past thirteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,800 blog posts. Wow!   
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started thirteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3802nd 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 1973 • •
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