Mae West: Showing Off

“Cultivate your curves. They may be dangerous but they won't be avoided,” said MAE WEST. Magazine writers are still finding new angles on that famous figure. Let’s take a look. This is Part 2 of 4 excerpts.
• • Mae West’s Secret to Keeping Her Signature Curves • •   
• • Mae West believed in regular exercise • •
• • Jess Catcher wrote: The actress was known for her dedication to light weight-lifting and regularly working out on an exercise bike. In fact, even at 83, West made a point of showing off her stationary bike in a Guardian interview. But she wasn’t afraid of changing her famous figure for a role, either.

A scene from "Diamond Lil"

• • Jess Catcher wrote: Back in 1933, she spoke with the San Jose News about “fattening up” for Diamond Lil, a play that she wrote. This included a diet of creamed chicken on buttered toast, lobster Newburg, and chocolate cream cake.
• • Mae West bought customized corsets from Madame Binner • •
• • Jess Catcher wrote: West also relied on custom corsets from Madame Binner, a renowned New York corsetiere, to put everything in its place.
• • Mae West and the curves • •  . . .
• • This four part series will be continued tomorrow.
• • Note: Madame Binner was the first to attach garters to the corset to hold up stockings. Her successful shop was on Fifth Avenue and East 58th Street in Manhattan.
• • Source: Woman’s World; published on Monday, 22 July 2019.
• • On Saturday, 16 June 1934 • •
• • A featured article "Come Up and Meet Mae West" by Frank Condon appeared in Collier's Magazine, in their issue dated for 16 June 1934.  Mae's recent robbery was described. And the actress explained why she did not like "Belle of the Nineties": "Too much of me in it. The story just didn't turn out right."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • In 1974 and 1975, Mae was more reclusive though she did see some interviewers, such as the young Anjelica Huston and Peter Lester.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "We women have been kept down for a long time. And I guess equality will come. That's progress."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Variety mentioned Mae West.
• • Prince and Princess Selandia of 'Scandanavia,' although their royal heritage is never made quite clear, make a hit with their dance imitations of Hollywood stars.
• • Their best turn is in a takeoff on Chaplin and Paulette Goddard in "The Great Dictator," and other impersonations include Mae West and Harold Lloyd, Garbo and Stokowski, Snow White and Dopey. The Princess is impressive with her vivacious impersonations. . . .
• • Source: Variety; New York edition; published on Wednesday, 28 May 1941
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,497th 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • onstage in 1928 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest