Mae West: Brazen Burglary

It was on a Wednesday, 39 years ago, when newspapers had written about MAE WEST. On Wednesday, 30 September 1981, Associated Press sent their coverage from Los Angeles, California over the wire and many prominent newspapers carried it.
• • Los Angeles [A.P.] — — A vacant home owned by the late sex goddess Mae West has been systematically looted over the last three months, with brazen thieves carrying off memorabilia of the fabled screen star.
• • Neighbors said Monday the rambling single-story home has been abandoned since July 1, when the star's elderly sister, Beverly West, suffered a stroke.
• • 'People have been coming and going out of the house every day for the last two weeks,' said Charlotte Gottenbos, who lives across the street.
• • 'Cars come and park and people stay in there for half a day.  People have even pulled up in pickup trucks, opened the gate and pulled into the property,' she said. Old letters, newspaper stories, photos of Mae West, theater trunks, crumbling dresses and wigs were scattered around the house and yard.  
• • A family friend  of Mae West told the Los Angeles Times that there had been much Mae West memorabilia in the house, but little of it was in good condition or of much value.  'If someone had gone in there 10 or 15 years ago and preserved the material, it would have been a priceless collection,' said the friend, who asked that his name not be disclosed. 'But what was left there — — hats, dresses, family photographs and a bunch of junk — — was probably not worth much.'
• • The friend said a bank handling Mae West's estate was responsible for the house. He said the estate is currently tied up in a legal battle between friends and family of the star, who died last November at 87.  
• • On Sunday, 30 September 1934 • •

• • Andre Sennwald wrote an article "Lines for a Mae West Scrapbook." It was published in The New York Times on Sunday, 30 September 1934.
• • Note: Andre Sennwald [4 August 1907 — 12 January 1936], motion-picture critic of The New York Times, was killed shortly after 1 o'clock this morning when an explosion of undetermined origin believed at first to be caused by gas wrecked his terrace apartment on the top floor of the seventeen-story apartment building at 670 West End Avenue. Mr. Sennwald, who was 28 years old, became motion-picture critic of The N.Y. Times in October 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • One of Mae West's least favorite motion pictures was "The Heat's On" [1943].
• • Fitzroy Davis received screenwriting credit for this mish-mash, a film so disjointed and disappointing that The New York Times review led off with this sally: "The heat is definitely off!"
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  “I'm just as busy when I'm not making a new motion picture.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A TV commentator discussed Mae West.
• • Mae West Made this "Insane" Film in her 80's • •
• • PBS wrote: The film "Sextette," which Mae West made when she was in her 80's, was actually a "radical power move," according to comedian Natasha Lyonne.
• • PBS wrote: It demonstrated Mae West's supreme confidence as a woman trying to defy the taboo against sexual older women. At the same time, it showed that the persona Mae West created in the 1930s was so original that it could endure into the 1970s and beyond. ..
• • Source: PBS; published on Tuesday, 16 June 2020
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,572nd 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Mae West in 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Noele Gordon

Folks in Manchester, England fondly remember when MAE WEST came to Great Britain.   This is Part 2 of 2.
• • Mae West says ‘Come up and see me sometime at the Palace Theatre, Manchester • •
• • ‘Diamond Lil’ • •  
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: The main star of the show was Mae West — — but it also starred Noele Gordon, then 28 years old, who became a television icon as Meg Richardson in “Crossroad Motel.” In 1947 she was a rising star learning her trade in various Rep companies up and down the country.
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: Diamond Lil, Queen of the Bowery, was a diamond-draped prostitute, a singer in a gin joint, and the live-in lover of the Boss of the Bowery, Gus Jordan. He was the man in Lil’s life, who showered her with jewels and furs. He was a candidate for the sheriff and a sex trafficker who operated from his saloon on Chatham Square.
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: Mae West wrote the play with Adeline Leitzbach [sic].
• • [Editor: This is incorrect, however, Mae and Adeline did collaborate on other plays.]

• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: Mae West correctly believed that the American theatre-goer, tired of living under the dry restrictions of prohibition would welcome a “melodrama of the underworld” that took place during a friskier era when a nickel bought a generous glass of beer. This play was turned into a film in 1933 called ‘She Done Him Wrong’ with both her and Bristol born Cary Grant as the headliners.It was to Cary Grant that she uttered the famous line: ”Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?”  
• • Joan Noele Gordon [25 December 1919 – 14 April 1985] was a British stage, film, TV actress and presenter. Noele played the part of Russian Rita opposite Mae West's Diamond Lil.
• • Source: Manchester Theatre History; published on Tuesday, 12 November 2019.
• • On Tuesday, 29 September 1914 • •
• • The newspaper the Philadelphia North American reviewed the more prominent variety artists who were performing onstage in the City of Brotherly Love on Tuesday, 29 September 1914. The arts critic thought well of Mae, who was then calling herself "The Original Brinkley Girl." When he referred to her stage act, he called her a "nut comedienne."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • What could be funnier than W. C. Fields as a patent medicine vendor turned masked bandit, and Mae West, late of the honky-tonks, as a little desert flower blooming brighter every hour?
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Most of my fan mail has a laugh in it. Those writing to me evidently take me at my screen word that I enjoy a laugh — — even on paper."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An Illinois fundraiser mentioned Mae West.
• • Meet Mae West in livestream benefit for Steel Beam Theatre of St. Charles
• • Join Martina Mathisen in her inimitable one-woman show, "Meet Mae West," a fundraiser for Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles that will livestream at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, 2020, a news release stated.
• • Mae West shattered box office records and public sensibilities. She rocketed from Broadway to become the highest-paid actress in Hollywood. Her one-liners scandalized the censors yet made her an icon. She rescued studios from bankruptcy and created stars. Without her, Cary Grant might have remained a nobody. Meet the woman behind the wit.
• • The production kicks off a series of livestream events continuing the theater's season themed "Women of Steel." . . .
• • Source: Shaw Media; published on Monday, 14 September 2020
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,571st 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Mae West and Cary Grant in 1932 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Manchester Mavens

Folks in Manchester, England fondly remember when MAE WEST came to Great Britain.   This is Part 1 of 2.
• • Mae West says ‘Come up and see me sometime at the Palace Theatre, Manchester • •
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: Mae West came to Manchester, England to star in her very own show that she had written herself called “Diamond Lil.” Despite it having censorship problems in America, due to the story line being about a racy woman in the 1890’s, the play drew a crowd.  

• • Mae West looks happy onboard • •
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: This play was turned into a film in 1933. After hearing the folk song “Frankie and Johnny,” which was inspired by the St. Louis prostitute and “sporting queen” Frankie Baker, this became Mae West’s trademark song and it was featured in her film “She Done Him Wrong” in 1933. Her career started in (amateur) vaudeville at the age of 5.
• • Marilyn Shalks wrote: Like countless entertainers Mae West understood that sex, courting controversy and a good juicy story would be great for her career. After she became the highest-paid woman in America, Mae West said  “Censorship made me.” If you get the chance read her life story, please do and you will be mesmerised by it.
• • ‘Diamond Lil’• •  . . .  
• • Source: Manchester Theatre History; published on Tuesday, 12 November 2019.
• • On Sunday, 28 September 1930 • •
• • Mae West decided to take her play "Sex" on the road during August 1930. The N.Y. Times reported that "Sex" was booked in the Midwest.  The engagement at the Garrick Theatre in Chicago began on Sunday, 28 September 1930.
• • On Saturday, 28 September 1974 • •
• • The colorful Mae West room in Dalí Theatre and Museum opened on Saturday, 28 September 1974.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West has gone to sea — — maybe she's giving the sailing lads the eagle eye for her next epic.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Biographies — — that's what I like best.  I like everything that is true, I mean.  Everything that happened, otherwise I'm not interested.  If I wanna read fiction, somepin (sic) that isn't true, I can dream it myself if I want."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Screenland Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • When Mae West appeared in the Motion Picture Hall of Fame at the Fair there was quite a flutter to be sure. An observer reported that he heard at least ten women say, "Isn't she tiny! I expected to see a big woman."
• • Screenland's columnist added: You see, Toots, the camera always makes one look larger than in real life.  . . .
• • Source: Screenland; published in the issue dated for September 1933
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,570th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • sailing to England in 1947 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Diamond's Adeline

The producer of MAE WEST's play “Diamond Lil” had been shopping a sequel — — for at least 20 years. The N.Y. Daily News first announced Jack Linder's project on Sunday, 25 January 1931.
• • "The Daughter of Diamond Lil " Takes to the Stage • •
• • This is the initial news coverage from January 1931.
• • "The Daughter of Diamond Lil" is the title of a play that Jack Linder has held for some time, and which he now hopes to place in rehearsal next week.
• • Diamond Lil herself was Mae West, a very tough lady from the Bowery who made Salvation Army officers forget themselves.
• • The new piece, Linder confides, is about a girl who has to live down her mother's reputation.
• • The play begins in New York on Armistice night, 1918, and it jumps around to South America and other places. Lil's daughter is looked upon by everyone as an incipient trollop just because of her mother's reputation. But in the end she proves that she is a sweet girl.

• • Adeline Leitzbach, who had nothing to do with the Mae West play, “Diamond Lil,” is the author of the new piece, and Miss West won't appear as her own daughter.
• • Source: The N.Y. Daily News [NYC]; published on Sunday, 25 January 1931.
• • Note: Adeline M. Leitzbach (c1884 — 1968) was one of Mae West’s ghostwriters. Mae West had a German-born mother and Adeline had a German-born father, Maximilian, who was an artist. Adeline's mother Fanny died during the run of "Diamond Lil" (on 7 September 1928).
• • Note: Adeline M. Leitzbach’s death date is not entirely confirmed, but sources indicate that she died in 1968 in New York City at the age of 81.
• • On Wednesday, 25 September 1940 • •
• • Andrew R. Kelley reviewed "My Little Chickadee" for Variety. His heavy-handed piece began on page 3 (continued on page 20) in the issue dated for Wednesday, 25 September 1940.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • After a long battle with the Hays Office, "Belle of the Nineties" won its approval. Despite that, several state censor boards deemed certain portions of the motion picture objectionable.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "She who laughs lasts."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Singapore newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • "I've Come to Find out, Says Mae West" • •
• • The Singapore Free Press wrote: Mae West invited goggle-eyed British reporters to "come up and see me sometime" when she ran the first gauntlet of them on her arrival at Southampton at two o'clock on Wednesday morning.  
• • Just to keep everything above board, Mae asked them all to a press reception at the Savoy Hotel ...
• • Source: The Singapore Free Press; published on Tuesday, 23 September 1947
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,569th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • author Adeline Leitzbach in 1917 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Diamond's Daughter

The producer of MAE WEST's play “Diamond Lil” had been shopping a sequel — — for at least 20 years. The N.Y. Daily News first announced Jack Linder's project on Sunday, 25 January 1931.
• • This is some of the follow-up coverage from September 1943.
• • The author was Adeline M. Leitzbach (c1884 — 1968); she was one of Mae West’s ghostwriters.
• • Jack Linder's Indie Picture, “Daughter of Diamond Lil” • •
• • Variety wrote: Jack Linder, former N.Y. independent vaude booker who some years ago produced several legits, including 'Diamond Lil' starring Mae West, has closed a deal to produce three feature films for Astor Pictures, indie distributing organization headed by Robert M. Savini.

• • Variety wrote: Contract calls for an option for three additional pictures if the initial trio are satisfactory and profitable.
• • Variety wrote: First feature for Astor Pictures will be “The Daughter of Diamond Lil.” But prior to going into production on it, Linder, now in San Francisco, will put on “Lady Chatterly's Lover” as a legit attraction at the Geary there.
• • Variety wrote: Jack Linder has taken the house for three weeks starting Nov. 7. He tried out “Lady Chatterly's Lover” previously at the Brighton, in Brighton Beach, NY and at the Locust, Philadelphia. During the past year, Jack Linder became an exhibitor through the acquisition of a motion picture house in Michigan.
• • To be continued on tomorrow's post.
• • Source: Variety; published on Wednesday, 8 September 1943.
• • Starting on Monday, 24 September 1928 • •
• • "Pleasure Man" written by Mae West was shown at the Bronx Opera House from 17 September until 22 September 1928. Then the play moved to the Boulevard Theatre in Queens for a single week starting on Monday, 24 September 1928.  Then Mae's provocative piece opened at the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway on 1 October 1928, at which point the police padlocked it, despite its heavy advance sale.
• • The stage play "Courting Mae West" dramatizes the police raid and the aftermath.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Believe it or not, the person besieged by the most autograph hunters, with the exception of Mae West, was Buck Jones.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Keep a diary and one day it'll keep you."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Praise for Mae West: “Censor-proof, club-women proof. Should have a grand effect at the box-office. Intensely saleable. “ — National Bulletin  ...
• • Source: quoted in The Film Daily; published on Thursday, 6 January 1938
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,568th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • as Diamond Lil in 1928 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Softer Beds

When MAE WEST left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” He explained: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case and she didn't ask for any special favors — — outside of the underwear."
• • By Mae's own account, they got along and often dined together. After supper, Henry Schleth often took the actress for a drive.  Let's hear Mae West describe him herself.  This is Part 2 of 2.
• • “Ten Days and $500, the Experiences of a Broadway Star in Jail” by Mae West • •
• • I dropped the subject and began to find fault with the place.
• • I asked to be sent back to Jefferson Market Court [sic].
• • Editor: Mae West meant to write “sent back to Jefferson Jail.”
• • The warden registered surprise at my request and said I would like this place better, because the air was healthier and his beds were so much softer. Well, he finally sold me on the idea of staying there. It was now around noon.

• • The warden assigned me to dusting the library. And I may add it wasn't much of a library as he had more than enough help in the laundry and in the mopping brigade and an oversupply of books. Furthermore, I would have been of little use to him in those duties, never having had any experience.
• • I guess the warden realized that.
• • He told the head matron to take me to lunch. Much to my surprise, it was in the warden's home. ...
• • Source: Liberty Magazine; published on Wednesday, 10 August 1927.
• • On Sunday, 23 September 1934 in The L.A. Times • •
• • An article argued for censorship of the type of motion picture made by Mae West and other bombshells. "Films Should Be Fit for Children to See" was printed in The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, 23 September 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Production on the motion picture "Myra Breckinridge" began in September — — on Tuesday, 23 September 1969 — — and Mae West (cast as Leticia Van Allen) received top billing.  Production concluded on 26 February 1970.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I did not change my way of life. I harmed no one. I had a philosophy, an idea of how to live fully and in my way.  I believed in it as fully and as strongly as I believed in being an American."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Associated Press mentioned Mae West.
• • “Greed Lures Visitors to Mae West's House” • •
• • Associated Press — The house in Van Nuys, Calif, is vacant these days, but according to Charlotte Gottenbos, who lives across the street, it has been receiving a steady stream of visitors. That's because the house once belonged to Mae West, but the visitors haven't been coming simply to pay homage to the legendary star who died last November at the age of 87.
• • Source: Daytona Beach Morning Journal;  published on Wednesday, 30 September 1981
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,567th 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 • • with Warden Schleth in 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Warden Schleth

When MAE WEST left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” He explained: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case and she didn't ask for any special favors — — outside of the underwear."
• • By Mae's own account, they got along and often dined together. After supper, Henry Schleth often took the actress for a drive.  Let's hear Mae West describe him herself.  This is Part 1 of 2.
• • “Ten Days and $500, the Experiences of a Broadway Star in Jail” by Mae West • •
• • So I turned to one of the four matrons who were prowling around me who arranged for me to meet Warden Henry O. Schleth.

• • Well, the warden is a very distinguished-looking gentleman, with a small mustache and goatee. His voice is resonant and his big smile shows a lot of strong teeth.
• • In fact, his entire personality denotes strength and yet, despite all this, I did not like that dress and underwear and those shoes.
• • The warden agreed they were not very attractive, that they were far from being what I was accustomed to but what could a poor warden do?  
• • I dropped the subject and began to find fault with the place.   ...
• • To be continued on our next post.
• • Source: Liberty Magazine; published on Wednesday, 10 August 1927.
• • On Friday, 22 September 1911 • •
• • On Friday, 22 September 1911, 18-year-old Mae West was in the spotlight. On that date, "A La Broadway" had opened at the Folies-Bergere Theatre, New York, NY. This short-lived revue closed on 30 September 1911
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West enjoyed eating the eggplant parmigiana at Casa D'Oro in Westwood.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Well, a smart girl never beats off any man."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Praise for Mae West: “A most enjoyable piece of entertainment, one that should play to very good box-office returns. A splendid cast of comedians." — Film Daily   ...
• • Source: quoted in The Film Daily; published on Thursday, 6 January 1938
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,566th 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 • • with Warden Schleth in 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Schleth's Suicide

When MAE WEST left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” He explained: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case and she didn't ask for any special favors — — outside of the underwear."
• • You've already read Mae's prison diary [which the Mae West Blog began on Monday, May 25, 2020 with “Mae West: Prison Diary #1”].
• • You've already read Mae's poem to Warden Schleth, which we titled “Panty Lines” [posted on Tuesday, 28 April 2015, etc.]. Now meet the jailer himself, who was born on this date, on Sunday, 21 September  1879.
• • Henry O. Schleth  [21 September 1879 —  25 September 1963] • •
• • Like Mae West, Warden Schleth was born in New York City and had German ancestry. During his late twenties, he had taken a bride, the former Julia M. Arnold, and they had started a family.
• • Drawn to a career in the city's correctional system, by age 34 he had risen to the level of Warden in the Queens County Jail. By the Spring of 1913, they were are living together in the jail's family quarters with their young son Henry Charles Schleth.
• • One night, right inside the jailhouse, two crimes were committed: a murder, a suicide.
• • KILLS BOY AND SELF TO END JAIL LIFE; Wife of Warden Henry O. Schleth ...
• • Source: N.Y. Times on October 10, 1913, Page 5
• • The New York Times wrote: Unable to endure the isolation of her life in

the Queens County Jail, where she went to live five months ago, Mrs. Julia M. Schleth, wife of Warden Henry O. Schleth of the jail, killed their son, Henry Charles Schleth, 4 years old, some time on Wednesday night and then killed herself by firing a bullet into her right temple.  ...
• • Scarred by this domestic tragedy, Henry Schleth never remarried, even when he rose to the level of Commissioner in NYC's Department of Corrections.
• • When he died in 1963, at age 84, he was buried in the New York City borough of Queens at Mount Saint Mary Cemetery, 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave, Flushing, NY 11365.
• • On our next post, Mae West will describe Warden Henry O. Schleth in her own words.
• • On Friday, 21 September 1934 in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette • •
• • On Friday, 21 September 1934, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published this tidbit under "Hollywood Gossip": Mae West is planning to back a stock company on the coast.  Her sister, Beverly, and her manager, James Timony, will head the enterprise.  
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West was busy promoting her latest Hollywood motion picture release: "Belle of the Nineties" around 21 September 1934.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it. There's nothing better in life than diamonds."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The N.Y. Daily News mentioned Mae West.
• • Good-By, Don’t Call Again! • •
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Back in her silks and curls, with a colored maid in tow, Mae West, author and star of "Sex," left the workhouse yesterday afternoon at expiration of her ten day [sic] sentence.
• • The famous newspaper photo showed her saying goodbye to Warden Henry O. Schleth at the door of the prison."  ...
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,565th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • news clip of the suicide in 1913 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Glasgow Greetings

On Wednesday, 17 September 1947, MAE WEST arrived in Southampton on Queen Mary. This is Part 6 of 6.
• • Screen siren Mae West stopped  traffic on 1947 Glasgow visit  • •
• • Mae West: Glasgow Greetings • •
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: Her last movie was “Sextette” (1977), which also came from a play. She died in 1980.
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: In 1927, Ms West was sentenced to 10 days in prison and given a 500 dollar fine, charged with obscenity due to the risque nature of her play “Sex.”
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: As she once said, she approved of censorship, as it made her so much money.

• • Photo: In Glasgow, Scotland, Mae West greets the boxer Ted Lewis in 1947. The star of stage and screen was in the United Kingdom to star in her 1980s Bowery melodrama, "Diamond Lil," which toured several cities. Her play first debuted on Broadway in 1928.
• • This 6-part article has now been concluded tomorrow with this post, the sixth segment.
• • Source: Glasgow Times, 200 Renfield St., Glasgow, Scotland; published on Wednesday, 15 April 2020.
• • On Thursday, 18 September 1980 • •
• • It was September when Mae West was in the hospital and not doing well.  On Thursday, 18 September 1980, the Hollywood icon suffered a second stroke, and this left her right side paralyzed.  Dreadful.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • After facing down the man who robbed her in Hollywood on Sunday, 18 September 1932 in a courtroom, Mae was shocked and horrified to learn that stick-up-artist Harry Voiler [1891 — 1974] was released on bail in Miami during February 1934.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  “I'd rather make pictures than whoopee. “
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A film daily mentioned Mae West.
• • “Mae West Going East” • •
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: Reports from the west coast have it that Mae West will make a tour of the nation's stages in connection with her newly finished picture "Tropicana," a Gregory Ratoff production. If the tour develops as planned, Miss West will be the first top star in a number of years to go on a bally-hoo tour. . . .
• • Source: Motion Picture Herald; published on Saturday, 18 September 1943
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,564th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with Ted Lewis in 1947 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Became Famous

On Wednesday, 17 September 1947, MAE WEST arrived in Southampton on Queen Mary. This is Part 5 of 6.
• • Screen siren Mae West stopped  traffic on 1947 Glasgow visit  • •
• • Mae West: Conquering Hollywood • •
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: Though her first movie role, at age 40, was a small part in the 1932 film “Night After Night,” her scene has become famous.
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: On spotting Ms West’s jewellery, a coat check girl says: “Goodness! What lovely diamonds!” to which the star replies: “Goodness had nothing to do with it.”
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: Her next film was “She Done Him Wrong,” (loosely) based on Diamond Lil, and she went on to write and star in seven more films, including “My Little Chickadee” in 1940 with W.C. Fields.
• • Mae West: Glasgow Greetings • • . . .
• • This 6-part article will be concluded tomorrow with the sixth segment.
• • Source: Glasgow Times, 200 Renfield St., Glasgow, Scotland; published on Wednesday, 15 April 2020.
• • On Wednesday, 17 September 1947 in England • •

• • On Wednesday, 17 September 1947, “Mae West, with Diamonds, Arrived at 2 A.M." was the exuberant headline splashed across the United Kingdom's dailies.
• • A British reporter from The Star wrote: “Mae West reached Southampton at 2 o'clock this morning.  She was too excited to see Britain to go to bed.  I recognized her by her diamonds.“
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Brave women have carved this trail of emancipation from ageism for my generation — — for instance, Mae West did her best in the USA nearly a century ago.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “The next three years length of my contract, under which I am to make two pictures a year, will hold greater success for me.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Daily Variety mentioned Mae West.
• • With the new season here major studios are frantically searching for hew picture personalities, realizing that with the. exception of Mae West and Katharine Hepburn, the past year has given little, in the way of names to stimulate the box office.  …
• • Source: Variety; published on Monday, 18 September 1933
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,563rd 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • on deck on 17 September 1947 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Duly Accepted

On Wednesday, 17 September 1947, MAE WEST arrived in Southampton on Queen Mary. This is Part 4 of 6.
• • Screen siren Mae West stopped  traffic on 1947 Glasgow visit • •
• • Mae West: Opened the British Philatelic Exhibition • •
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: The star was asked and duly accepted the invitation to open the exhibition.
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: Happy to vamp it up as a dizzy [sic] blonde on screen, Ms West was in fact a shrewd businesswoman who wrote [sic] successful plays and films.
• • Ann Fotheringham wrote: Born in 1892 [sic] in Queens [sic], New York, she began her career as a child star in vaudeville. [Editor: So many basic biographical errors in a biographical article is quite astounding. Let's insert a big sigh here.]
• • Editor: Mae West was born on 17 August 1893 in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn, NY.  By the time the West family moved to Queens, Mae had already appeared on Broadway.
• • Mae West: Conquering Hollywood • • . . .
• • This 6-part article will be continued tomorrow.
• • Source: Glasgow Times, 200 Renfield St., Glasgow, Scotland; published on Wednesday, 15 April 2020.
• • On Monday, 16 September 1928 • •
• • Mae West's play "Pleasure Man" opened on a Monday evening on 16 September 1928 at the Bronx Opera House in New York City.

• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The film crew had called it a wrap for "I'm No Angel" in early September.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Charlie Chaplin, by the way, has sex appeal. That may seem far-fetched but think it over. He has it, which Is one of the secrets of how he remains in favor.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Praise for Mae West: “A rattling good picture, from start to finish a real piece of entertainment. It gives us the Mae West that audiences want. A production on a lavish scale." — National Box-Office Digest   ...
• • Source: quoted in The Film Daily; published on Thursday, 6 January 1938
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,562nd 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 • • in 1933 — artwork by artist Forest Mill • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest