Mae West: Mechanical Dale

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you’ve heard of the fascinating collaboration between MAE WEST and Frank Dale, who got the Hollywood icon’s permission for a mechanical doll. In the end, only two were produced.
• • Mae West as a Mechanical Doll • •
• • It was Thursday evening, on 21 December 1933, and an audience was staring at Mae West. Though her latex complexion looked almost human, and the sculpting of the movie queen's features and famous figure was impressive, it was even more amazing that this was a mechanical figure on display in a theatre fetchingly attired in a peach-colored gown, feather boa, and a large hat. Tonight was its debut. The crowd wondered:  “Whose talented hands did such a thing?”
• • Morphy’s Auctions described this very beautiful creation like this: 
• • MAE WEST AUTOMATED STORE DISPLAY. Electric display by Frank Dale depicting the shapely star of the silver screen. She wears a peach colored gown with feather boa, feather trimmed hat, and plenty of jewelry. Dale was best known for his automatons for Sweetheart Soap of the babies in their bassinets. He founded his company, the Mechanical Man, in 1938. The composition figure stands on a turntable with arms extended, rotating for all to see.

• • Note:  Photo of the Mae West doll
• • According to the consignor, Dale created only two of these automatons, one for Mae West herself. This is purported to be the only other in existence. Lot is accompanied by full page newspaper article on creator Frank Dale. SIZE: 36″ overall.
• • On Sunday, 21 December 1969 • •
• • "Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Wonderful" ran the headline of a lengthy piece on Mae West in the L.A. Times's Sunday magazine section called West.  It was published on 21 December 1969 and quoted her tips on staying youthful and living a happy life.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • It was, however, a long road for Mae West before she was offered her first motion picture contract by Paramount Pictures, back in 1932, by which time, the entertainer was already 38 years old.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I used to be Snow White — — but I drifted."
• • Mae West said: “Sex depends on certain positions. But kissing is good in any position. If a girl closes her eyes when she kisses a guy, he's gotta be nothing to look at.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An Australian Programme Guide mentioned Mae West.  However, the broadcast was scrapped. Good taste prevailed in 1935, thank goodness.
• • No. 2. "Mae West Meets Adolf Hitler." 7.0: From Perth National Studio  . . .
• • Source: Item in The West Australian; published on Saturday, 21 December 1935
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,100 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4110th 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 • • Dale's doll in 1933 • •
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