Mae West: Enchantment Reviewed

On Saturday, 10 June 1911, it was clear that MAE WEST had impressed the New York critics when she appeared in "A Florida Enchantment," a two act comedy staged at Columbia Theatre.  The Columbia Amusement Company was an Eastern burlesque wheel run by Henry Jacobs and John Jermon. This regional tour of  “A Florida Enchantment” lasted a few months and, yes, it was onstage in Milwaukee in April 1911.
• • Under the headline "The Eastern Wheel Openings" was a lengthy review of a production by The Big Gaiety Company (Eastern).  Let's discover what was on the Program. 
• • N.B.: The text below follows the spelling, punctuation, errors, and style of The New York Clipper's coverage — — printed 104 years ago. You will note that, in one paragraph, Frank Wallace became a "Fred" Wallace.
• • The Eastern Wheel Openings • •
• • The New York Clipper wrote:  At the Columbia Theatre last week, this company opened its first New York engagement. 
• • "A Florida Enchantment" is the two act comedy, dealing with the flirtation of Meyerwurst, a woman hater, with a little French adventuress, a partner of a young con man.  Harry W. Fields played the German, while Al Herman, in a funny make-up as a Jew, introduced some novel comicalities. Eddie Lovett, with a series of natty suits, was the affable "Cheathem," and acted well, also singing several catchy songs.  Barry Melton looked handsome In several fine gowns, and led several numbers in clever style. William Betts was a polite lunatic, with some funny capers; also Lord Bonehead.  Albert Dunstan was an acrobatic waiter, Eddie Miller a detective, Frank Wallace, Young Goldberg.  Mae West was an enticing enchantress, with a slight French accent. Etta Wood was the jealous and energetic Mrs. Goldberg, and Catherine German had a few lines as Miss Meyerwurst.
• • Mae West sang "Tiger Love" • •
• • The numbers Included "Think It Over, Mary" by Frank Wallace and the girls; "Kiss Me," by Miss Melton; "Girl of My Dreams," by Mr. Lovett, with leading stars impersonated by sundry girls;  "Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey," by Catherine Gorman, who sang the catchy verses, assisted by the girls, with several sorts of cuddling  movements; the operatic finale to the first act, by the entire company; a recitation about "Worry," by Mr. Lovett;  "Tiger Love," by Mae West and the girls, and "Some of These Days," by Miss Melton.  Some novel business, with Mr. Fields occupying an orchestra seat, flirting with Miss West, and back talk with Eddie Lovett, caught the house — — Mr. Fields being finally ejected by an usher.
• • Mae West and Fred Wallace [sic] sang several coon songs • •
• • The olio had Irene Dillon, who appeared in several character changes, and rendered several songs, including a baby number. She did well with all of them. Mae West and Fred Wallace [sic] sang several coon songs, with Miss West making several changes down to full tights, with good effect.  Al Herman, in black face, presented some novel business in his monologue, and employed his powerful voice to good advantage. The Five Musical Gormans, two men and three girls, played various musical Instruments, especially strong in brass, with the youngster pounding the drum and the bass drum, also playing the xylophone in clever style. The lady cornetist executed some good solos.
• • Sydney Dean, assisted by Messrs. Dunstan, Betts and Miller, presented "Christmas on Blackwells lsland," which made a big hit on their previous appearance at this house, and Mr. Dean received several encores for his finishing song.
• • The chorus of fourteen girls worked well. W. J. Rostetter Is the musical director.
• • Source:  Review in The New York Clipper; published on Saturday, 10 June 1911.  
• • On Sunday, 10 June 2001 in The Hartford Courant • •
• • You can give your book a Mae-West-title but will it find favor with critics or the public?  Book critic M.A. Turner did not think much of "Come Up and See Me Sometime," describing it as "A Flat Addition To Tedious Single-girl Subgenre" on Sunday, 10 June 2001 in The Hartford Courant. "Come Up and See Me Sometime," published by Scribner, was written by Erika Krouse (202 pages). Oh, dear. Poor Erika Krouse.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • I am told that Mae West weighs more than one or two nutmegs — — but she is not British.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Back in 1926, I wrote and starred in the play 'Sex,' the first time the word was ever used on stage in that manner."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A California newspaper discussed Mae West.
• • "Mae West Starred in Granada Program" • •

• • Mae West proved to Hollywood that she is the most versatile woman in America during the filming of her new picture, "She Done Him Wrong," opening Sunday at the Granada theater.  
• • This prolific star, who wrote the script for her first starring vehicle, has always written her own stage plays, has published two novels, authored the lyrics for several of the songs [sic] composed by Ralph Rainger [7 October 1901 — 23 October 1942] for her new motion picture, and, besides, turns out sketches and material for other performers in her spare time.  . . .
• • Source: Item on page 6 in The Bakersfield Californian; published on Saturday, 10 June 1933 
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3197th 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 1933 • •
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Mae West: William Augustin

MAE WEST wrote "Pleasure Man," a short-lived show that the police closed down in 1928.  One cast member was William Augustin who took the part of Steve McAllister.

• • Born in South Boston, Massachusetts in the month of June — — on 3 June 1891 — — William Augustin Flaherty felt he had the flair for the stage. After serving in World War I, he performed in stock companies and thrice on Broadway. 

• • He had a minor role in Eugene O'Neill's moody waterfront drama "Anna Christie," which was staged at the Vanderbilt Theatre [November 1921 — April 1922], won a Pulitzer, and inspired Mae's character Margy LaMont, a prostitute determined not to suffer. Augustin played a baron in "He Understood Women" {August 1928 — September 1928], and then immediately began rehearsals for "Pleasure Man."

• • Heading to Hollywood in 1933, he found work in a dozen feature films as a bit parts player.  His familiarity with Irish accents landed him the role of O'Hara, Irish Detective in "Coming-Out Party" [1934]; three individuals in this vehicle also worked with Mae West:  Alison Skipworth, Gilbert Emery, and Marjorie Gateson. In "The Avenger" [1933] he worked with Arthur Vinton, who had co-starred in "Babe Gordon" with Mae West.

• • Between 1933 — 1934, William Augustin was cast as a detective, traffic cop, warden, butler, and coroner. His career ended abruptly with a deadly car crash in Richmond, Indiana.  He had been driving east to visit his family with his sister (who was injured but survived).  William Augustin died on 19 July 1934.  He was 43.  So sad.

• • Tony Curtis [3 June 1925 — 29 September 2010] • •

• • Tony Curtis was in a motion picture with fellow New Yorker Mae West.

• • If you saw "Sextette," perhaps you remember the scene when newly wed Marlo Manners (now Lady Barrington) and her groom Sir Michael Barrington finally are snug inside their hotel suite. However, the lovebirds are unable to go beddy-bye and celebrate their marital bliss because of noisome botherations such as ex-husbands and admirers.

• • Apparently, the vast enrollment of membership in the Marlo Manners Fan Club includes: diplomat Alexei Andreyev Karansky (Tony Curtis), director Laslo Karolny (Ringo Starr), gangster Vance Norton (George Hamilton), and an entire athletic team from the USA, all of whom desire to make whoopie with Marlo. And, after all, Mae West once did tell an interviewer she had a special interest in foreign affairs.

• • Born during the month of June — — on 3 June 1925 — — the Bronx native started out in life with the name Bernard Schwartz. He had very little formal education. The five-foot-nine leading man enjoyed blabbing about his role as Alexei Andreyev Karansky and Mae's difficulties on the set.

• • But Bernie Schwartz (i.e., Tony the C.) is no longer spreading rumors. He's pushing up daisies.  The actor died in Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada on 29 September 2010.  He was 85.

• • On Friday, 3 June 1911 in The Clipper • •

• • The New York Clipper (a.k.a. The Clipper) was a weekly entertainment newspaper published in New York City from 1853 to 1924.  It reviewed many forms of artistic endeavor from the circus to vaudeville to the legit. Two items in The Clipper, on 3 June 1911 and on 2 September 1911, covered "A Florida Enchantment." This touring show featured "a little French adventuress" played by Mae West and "young Goldberg" played by Frank Wallace, who became her husband in April 1911. The Clipper applauded their "coon shouting."  Mae sang a number "Tiger Love," backed by a burlesque chorus and also delighted the reviewer when she made "several changes down to full tights with good effect."  Woo-woo..

• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: "I didn't start out to collect diamonds, but somehow they just kept piling up."  

• • Quote, Unquote • •

• • An article on bodybuilders mentioned Mae West.

• • Santa Monica columnist Jack Neworth writes: In Ric Drasin's life, he befriended Joe Gold (founder Gold's Gym), actress Mae West (appeared in "Sextette" her last movie in 1978), and our former Governor (and current pariah) Arnold Schwarzenegger, with whom Ric worked out daily from 1970 through 1974. ...

• • Source: Article: "He knew Arnold when" written by Jack Neworth, Santa Monica Daily Press; posted on 3 June 2011

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2320th 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 court with the cast, 1928 • •
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