Mae West: Her Ghostwriter

In 1934, Picture Play, piqued by a New York newcomer’s meteoric rise, pondered this: “Is MAE WEST a Fizzle? A bold discussion of an important question!” This is Part 10 of 29 segments.
• • Is Mae West a Fizzle? • •
• • Mae West: Her ghostwriter • •
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Whether she has help or not from a ghostwriter is, in my opinion, unimportant.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Her ideas are her own, and Mae has the stamina to stay with them until they have been worked out to her satisfaction.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: One success, however, doesn't insure another.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: It merely helps. Miss West knows this.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Out of four of her stage plays, she had two successes [sic].  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: An actress's career isn't seriously jeopardized by a play failure.  
• • Mae West: In working harness • • …  
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; issue dated for May 1934.
• • On Monday, 31 January 1927 in Bridgeport • •

• • Despite the public's curiosity about the controversial vaudevillian Mae West, and her latest play "The Drag," Jim Timony could only manage to secure half a week at Poli's Park, which was then in use as a burlesque house in Bridgeport.
• • It was a dreary and wintery Monday on 31 January 1927 when the Morals Production Company hoisted a banner over the trolley cars criss-crossing Main Street. Pedestrians were intrigued by this saucy announcement: "'The Drag' by the author of SEX — — more sensational than Rain or The Captive!" It was Mae West’s intention to give gay characters a voice and a spotlight. The police were lying in wait for her.
• • These true events are dramatized in Act I, Scene 2 of the stage play "Courting Mae West" by LindaAnn LoSchiavo. Why not bring this astonishing 95-minute play to your theatre?
• • On Tuesday, 31 January 1933 • •
• • Variety ran this article "No Good Women in History, Mae West Says, During Hot Sex Selling Talk." It was published on Tuesday, 31 January 1933.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Vaudeville star Elsie Janis dated her synopsis for a "Mae West Talking Picture" for Tuesday, 31 January 1933 — — but the project was deemed unsuitable for Mae.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I'll stick to the movie game for some time. But I hope to be able to find time to do another play."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Kansas daily mentioned Mae West.
• • In Hollywood, police raided an alleged "indecent" stage show and arrested the business manager for Mae West, along with 13 of the cast of "Ladies by Request." The play had run for several weeks in Los Angeles and was produced by Jim Timony, Mae's manager.  . . .
• • Source: The Hutchinson News [Hutchinson, Kansas]; published on Friday, 31 January 1936
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,920th 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 • • N.Y. Daily Mirror, 11 Feb 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Risque Lioness

In 1934, Picture Play, piqued by a New York newcomer’s meteoric rise, pondered this: “Is MAE WEST a Fizzle? A bold discussion of an important question!” This is Part 9 of 29 segments.
• • Is Mae West a Fizzle? • •
• • Mae West: The risque lioness of the footlights • •
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Mae went to some parties, not too many.

• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: She had other things on her mind, even then, particularly, the writing bee.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: She wrote several books that were published. She has just finished another novel. She had (stage) play ideas she wanted to work out.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Some people are of the opinion that Miss West has assistance in her writings.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Mae herself admitted as much in a Picture Play interview. 
• • Adeline M. Leitzbach [c1884 — 1968] was one of Mae West’s New York City ghostwriters.
• • Mae West: Her ghostwriter • • …  
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; issue dated for May 1934.
• • On Saturday, 28 January 1978 in Los Angeles • •
• • Trying to catch up on paperwork on a Saturday, Mae was paying bills. A personal check was signed by Mae West on 28 January 1978.
• • Her check was typed and made payable to "Dept. of Water and Gas" for the sum of $18.47.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West made only a handful of films, but they not only launched the career of Cary Grant, they gave us snappy double entendres and the Hays Code.
• • “I believe in censorship,” Mae West once said. “I made a fortune out of it.”  
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "You learn to get along in life by studying life."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A fan magazine discussed a Mae West starrer.
• • “She Done Him Wrong” ― Paramount Pictures • •

• • Screenland wrote: Not the family picture of the month!
• • Screenland wrote: It's rough and rowdy stuff, with Mae West at her best, if you feel that way about Mae.
• • Screenland wrote: She plays Lady Lou, a descendant of Diamond Lil, with the maximum of gusto ― and the minimum of good taste.  
• • Screenland wrote: A good cast, including Gilbert Roland, Cary Grant, Rafaella Ottiano, Rochelle Hudson, and Noah Beery.  
• • Screenland wrote: It's only fair to say that Mae packed 'em in on Broadway. …
• • Source: Screenland; published in the issue dated for May 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,919th 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 • • ad in 1930 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Doesn’t Mingle

In 1934, Picture Play, piqued by a New York newcomer’s meteoric rise, pondered this: “Is MAE WEST a Fizzle? A bold discussion of an important question!” This is Part 8 of 29 segments.
• • Is Mae West a Fizzle? • •
• • Mae West: In a critical position • •
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: That she doesn't mingle extensively in Hollywood proves nothing.  

• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: She was never a social butterfly in her halcyon stage days in New York.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Society in that city had sought her.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: In New York City it was considered smart to have the risque lioness of the footlights at one's party.  
• • Mae West: The risque lioness of the footlights • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; issue dated for May 1934.
• • On Monday, 27 January 1930 in NYC • •
• • The death of Matilda Delker West was reported in The Brooklyn Eagle on Monday, 27 January 1930. A heartbreaking loss for her daughter Mae, who was born and bred in Brooklyn, where her mother introduced her to the vaudeville circuit.
• • On Friday, 27 January 1933 in the USA • •
• • The red carpet premiere of "She Done Him Wrong" took place in Hollywood on Friday, 27 January 1933. What a great day for Mae West.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • They tell a funny story about Mae West.  
• • When she first read the script (written by John Bright) of "She Done Him Wrong," the story goes, Mae flew into a rage.  
• • "The bums!" she is said to have screamed, "they've taken all the charm out of it!"
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I've always taken the rap for the Code — — but it was really those racy Barbara Stanwyck pictures (i.e., 'Babyface') that did it."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on Pre-Code movies mentioned Mae West.
• • "Classic Hollywood: Pre-Code films out from Warner Archive" • •
• • Susan King wrote: Though a number of these films revolved around the gangster world, including 1930's "Little Caesar," 1931's "The Public Enemy" and 1932's "Scarface," these pre-Code films were generally dominated by strong female actresses such as Mae West, Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, and Clara Bow.
• • Susan King explained: Women were much more sexually aggressive in pre-Code films, morals were loose. Their dialogue was suggestive. And their often skimpy outfits left little to the imagination. Some actresses who starred in pre-Code films flourished after the code crackdown in 1934. But others, like Mae West, whose image was so sexually charged, lost audiences as a more sanitized version of herself. ...
• • Source: The L.A. Times; published on Sunday, 8 January 2012
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,918th 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 • • at Victor Hugo Cafe in L.A., 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: A Moral?

In 1934, Picture Play, piqued by a New York newcomer’s meteoric rise, pondered this: “Is MAE WEST a Fizzle? A bold discussion of an important question!” This is Part 7 of 29 segments.
• • Is Mae West a Fizzle? • •
• • Mae West: A moral to the story • •
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Mae answered the letter.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: A few weeks later a second letter reached her.  

• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: "I did as you told me, Mae West,” the woman said, "and my husband socked me in the eye!"
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: There is a moral in this little story.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: I wonder if Mae perceived it.  
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: I  think Mae West will be just another flash in the pan if she continues to write her own stories, and I join those who contend she will not survive the four-year optional contract by  which, in addition to her salary, she receives a percentage of the profits on her films.
• • Mae West: In a critical position • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; issue dated for May 1934.
• • Diem Obiit Mater: on Sunday, 26 January 1930 • •
• • Mae West and her mother were really the love of each other's lives until Matilda died in the month of January — — on Sunday, 26 January 1930 — — at age 59. How terrifying it was for Mae during the winter of 1929, knowing that her mother's illness was worsening. After Matilda died, Mae felt, "There wasn't anyone to play to."
• • Note: On the April 1911 marriage license for Mae West and Frank Wallace, her mother's name is noted as "Matilda Dilker" not Delker, quite probably a clerical error.
• • On Monday, 26 January 1948 • •
• • “Diamond Lil” starring Mae West • •
• • Leonard Mosley wrote: "Mae West herself is a Restoration comedy rolled into one body — — earthy, happy, and outspoken. Shocked me? No. I just like her." ...
• • Source: The London Daily Telegraph; published on Monday, 26 January 1948.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West from N'Yawk wins us over with her Maudie Triplett in "Night After Night."
• • Onstage Jack LaRue played Lil's Latin lover Juarez. [Gilbert Roland played that role, under the Russian moniker Sergei, in the film version "She Done Him Wrong" [1933] with Mae West in her first starrer.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "If I went out as a star and flopped, I was through. If I went out as a nobody, I wouldn't be under the gun — — and I had a chance."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A fan magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Mae West was cold-shouldered at her premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Very few stars turned out, except those from her own studio. …
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for January 1934
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,917th 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 • • art by Dan Oshen, Picture Play, April 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Clever Enough

In 1934, Picture Play, piqued by a New York newcomer’s meteoric rise, pondered this: “Is MAE WEST a Fizzle? A bold discussion of an important question!” This is Part 6 of 29 segments.
• • Is Mae West a Fizzle? • •
• • Mae West: Distinctive Cameo Role • •
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: No woman could have given such a distinctive performance in a small part as Mae did in "Night After Night," without being clever.     

• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: But is Mae clever enough to know where cleverness ends and discretion begins?
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: She has astounding faith in her own faith in herself.     
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: This was demonstrated by an incident that has come to my attention.
• • Dorothy Herzog wrote: Among the thousands of letters Mae receives from admirers, one came from a woman who asked the star how she could hold her husband.
• • Mae West: A moral to the story • • …   
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; issue dated for May 1934.
• • On Sunday, 25 January 1948 • •
• • On Sunday, 25 January 1948, The New York Times's London correspondent noted: "The audience displayed little interest in the comedy melodrama of the nineties but it warmed to Miss West. ..."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hot news from Boston. Six hundred people refused to vacate the Egyptian Theater during a fire, because Mae West was on the screen.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Homely men make good husbands. They usually have more sex appeal."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A fan magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Look at the names which twinkle in electric lights above the theatres. Fred Astaire, Ginger  Rogers,  W. C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Claudette Colbert, Jean Harlow, Mae West, Myrna Loy, Janet Gaynor, Grace Moore, William Powell. And a dozen others. Not one of them is listed on the alumni records of any university. …
• • Source: Modern Screen; published on Friday, 18 September 1936
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,916th 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 "Night After Night" in 1932 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest