Mae West: Allowed Me

In 1964, after dodging reporter Lewis Lapham for months, MAE WEST granted an interview. Ten years ago, he fondly recalled the experience in his piece “Transits of Venus.” Then a 31-year-old freelancer, Lapham discovered this: “At the age of 71, Miss West still possesses overwhelming sexual force.” Let’s join his in his journey. This is Part 3.
• • “Transits of Venus” written by Lewis H. Lapham [born on 8 January 1935]
• • Mae West did not entertain questions • •
• • Lewis H. Lapham wrote: Miss West didn’t entertain questions. She spoke as if from an altar or a throne, revealing what she deemed to be within reach of a masculine — and, therefore, limited — intelligence.
• • Lewis H. Lapham wrote: One took what one was given and was grateful, and it wasn’t until several hours later, reading through my notes in the bar of the Beverly Hills Hotel, that I understood what it was that Miss West had allowed me to see.
• • What Mae West allowed me to see • •
• • Lewis H. Lapham wrote: If she was a force of nature, she was also a work of the imagination, her own as well as that of the company of the elect admitted to her dressing room or her anatomy.  Her face never could have been thought beautiful, even at the age of seven in 1900, when she made her debut on the Brooklyn vaudeville stage. Her voice was as rough as sandpaper, her terms of endearment as blunt as stone.
• • How was Mae West an expert at floating a veil of seduction? • •  . . .
• • To be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Lapham’s Quarterly; published in the Winter 2009 issue.
• • On Monday, 16 January 1950 • •

• • Newsweek readers who opened their issue dated 16 January 1950 [Vol. XXXV, No. 3] saw this article on page 46: "The Return of Mae West."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • There was a fascinating article published that’s the talk of Tinseltown: "Wealthy Americans: W.R. Hearst and Mae West Head the List of Largest Salaries."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Like men? Sure, I've known lots of them. But in later years I've never found one I liked well enough to marry." 
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A London daily mentioned Mae West.
• • "Films that make you feel good" • •
• • Geoffrey Macnab writes: Historically, the best feel-good movies have often been made at the darkest times. The early 1930s in Hollywood, the height of the Depression, were known as a "golden age of turbulence." It was in this period that the brashest Mae West comedies, the liveliest musicals and the most explosive gangster movies were made. ...
• • Source:  The London Independent [UK]; posted on Friday, 16 January 2009

• • 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 4128th 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 costume in 1950 • •
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Mae West: Vegas Nitery

When it came to managing the career of MAE WEST, Jim Timony's aspirations were not hard-wired for systematic doubt.  Au contraire.  In September of 1950, when the actress was 57 and Timony was even older, he was energetically forging ahead with plans for "an upcoming Las Vegas nitery to be known as 'Diamond Lil'," reported Variety.  The deal would supply Mae with income for her participation and give her a salary — — even on days when she was not working there.  Stock options, complimentary gowns, and free living quarters were among the incentives offered.   
• • The contract Timony negotiated pre-dated Mae's new concept for a stage show "Mae West Revue." Ultimately, there was no ground-breaking for the Diamond Lil Casino and Restaurant, as it turned out.
• • George Hoyningen-Huené [4 September 1900 — 12 September 1968] • •
• • Though Karl Struss was the cinematographer who worked on "Belle of the Nineties," the iconic promotional stills of Mae West at ringside were taken by a master portraitist who shot many Hollywood stars and other celebrities: George Hoyningen-Huené.
• • Baron George Hoyningen-Huené, who segued into the darkroom when he met his lover Horst, was born on 4 September 1900 in Russia to a nobleman.
• • Hoyningen-Huené, behind a camera before anything resembling contemporary flash photography was known, achieved wonderful effects in black and white.
• • George Hoyningen-Huené died in Los Angeles on 12 September 1968.  He was  68.
• • On Wednesday, 4 September 1935 in Hollywood • •
• • Joseph Breen wrote to John Hammel on Wednesday, 4 September 1935, complaining (again) about the script for "Klondike Annie" and Mae's dialogue.
• • On Friday, 4 September 1987 in California • •
• • "I'm No Angel" starring Mae West was screened on Friday, 4 September 1987.  This iconic comedy was selected for the series "Paramount Pictures: 75 Years." Mae West's director was Wesley Ruggles.  Audiences enjoyed it at the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive during Labor Day weekend. 
• • In Her Own Words • • 
• • Mae West said: "There was something about a handsome brute crushing other brutes in a ring I couldn't resist."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article about winning the Oscar mentioned Mae West.
• • Susan King wrote: Some legendary stars who never got a nomination: Mae West, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy (she received an honorary Oscar), Hedy Lamarr, Kim Novak, Marilyn Monroe ...
• • Source: Article: "Outstanding actresses absent from Oscar's list" written by Susan King for Tribune Newspapers; published on 5 January 2010

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eight years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2416th 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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