Mae West: Ramfis Diaz

MAE WEST collectors are everywhere but a most extraordinary West Coast Mae-maven has, unfortunately, left us at 3:00 AM on Sunday morning, 15 May 2011 in Southern California. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Ramfis Anthony Diaz [20 February 1963 — 15 May 2011] began his extensive acquisition of Westiana around the time that Mae starred in "Myra Breckinridge" [1970], when he was quite young. Around 1994, Ramfis, then a 31-year-old musician, instituted a yearly tradition of having a festive open house in the Hollywood area to honor Mae West on August 17th. Despite being in deep mourning for his close friend, Damon Devine has very kindly consented to write an obituary. We share this heartfelt remembrance with all of you.
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• • Damon Devine writes: I cannot believe I am writing this, as it still seems surreal. Ramfis Diaz, one of the most well known and loved in the West Coast Mae West Circle, has died. He was 48 and lived in Los Angeles.
• • An August 17th tradition: Ramis organized and hosted our annual Mae West Birthday Party, each August 17th. Rain or shine, he made it happen. During those years when money was scarce, we still had a little food and lots of Mae West. During times of plenty, the party-goers were treated to lots of refreshments and even more Mae West.
• • It is my vote to end this August 17th tradition now, however, since the once-joyful parties will no longer be the same without him. I, for one, don't feel worthy enough to make it happen; moreover, I do not want to commingle a deep sadness along with our celebration of Mae West. Our party was full of fellowship and high spirits. At least to me, we should remember it for what it was. Ramfis used to always put my name on the cake along with Mae's. I never had the heart to tell him my birthday was July 28th! It was a beautiful gesture though.
• • A well-loved gentleman: EVERYONE loved Ramfis, absolutely everyone. There wasn't a mean bone in his body. His real friends can he counted in the hundreds, his memorable acquaintances in the thousands. He was a sex symbol in his own right (and a total inspiration to me) who lived a very Mae West lifestyle, as far as being free and finding the notion of monogamy somewhat bewildering. Despite his naughty nature, there was an incredibly endearing naivety about him, an almost childlike innocence in other areas of life. I have never known anyone like him.
• • Our first meeting: In 1992 I had originally met Ramfis when I worked at a movie memorabilia shop in Hollywood. We were immediate friends in our love of Mae West, and we became like brothers. All these many years, Ramfis called me "little brother" (— — here come the tears, at last). Having had no siblings, this always meant more to me than he could have ever known.
• • One man's museum dedicated to Mae West: His Mae West collection was the most massive I had ever seen. And not a millimeter of it was based on greed! He loved Mae West as though she were a beloved relative or a Goddess who brought him both inspiration in life, and consolation in tough times. Outside of his work, friendships, and romances, Mae West was a huge part of his life. His apartments were always covered with Mae West memorabilia, and, in fact, he played songs from Mae West's films on piano, in public, many times. I adore Mae West (my tattoos of her vouch for that!) — — but Ramfis could make even ME cringe, as he gushed over her to throngs of leather-clad men with full beards in a bar he worked at, photo album pages flipping, exclaiming: "Doesn't she look amazing for 53? This photo is from Come On Up, 1946!!" He was completely oblivious to their total lack of interest! They were there for "other reasons" but that was what was so dear about Ramfis. When it came to his love for Mae West, there were no boundaries. He felt, quite strongly, that EVERYONE needed a little Mae West in their lives. She was, undoubtedly, his greatest love. If there is an afterlife of some kind, I hope Mae West is waiting for him. That is my only consolation today — — in that I know nothing would please him more.
• • • • Written exclusively for the Mae West Blog by Damon Devine, Los Angeles, CA.
• • • • PUBLIC MEMORIAL for RAMFIS DIAZ • • • •
• • Funeral services for Ramfis Anthony Diaz will be held on Thursday, 26 May 2011. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM in order to accommodate Ram's loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors. Ram's brother Danny tells me that McKenzie Mortuary seats 70 people only, so the family decided to hold services at the church in Long Beach instead; capacity there is 400.
• • WHERE: First United Presbyterian, 600 East 5th Street [corner of 5th & Atlantic], Long Beach, CA. First United Presbyterian is more suitable for the crowd of mourners that will be expected next week.
• • INFO: Tel. (562) 436-9707.
• • Comments in loving remembrance of the deceased can be posted here. Thank you for stopping here to offer your kindness meant for the family of Ramfis Diaz.
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• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Reflecting upon the death of Mae West celebrant Ramfis Diaz, Ian Macnicol told Damon Devine: I am desperately sorry to hear this sad news. Ramfis was such a kind and gentle man. Although I only met him a few times, he was someone I always hoped I would meet again. His loss must be very great to those who knew him well. Don't be too quick to decide that there will be no more Mae West parties — — continuing them in his name would be a lovely way of commemorating him. I am sending out good thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.
• • Source: public posting about the death of Ramfis Diaz
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Sahara Hotel, where Mae West introduced "The Mae West Revue," is no more.
• • LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Las Vegas marks the end of an era this week as one of the US gambling mecca's last original "Rat Pack" casino-hotels, the Sahara, finally closes its doors. Opened in 1952, the Sahara hosted everyone from Mae West, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lewis to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles in the 1950s and 60s, and their photos still decorate the walls above the reception. ...
• • Source: Article: "End of an era as Vegas casino closes" written by Romain Raynaldy for AFP; posted on Sunday, 15 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1932nd 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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Mae West: Post # 1893

The MAE WEST BLOG is celebrating a special anniversary today — — blog post # 1893. To mark this occasion, a number of Mae-mavens offered their Westian wisdom inspired by the Brooklyn bombshell who was born in the year 1893.
• • • What is Mae West's legacy, in your opinion, and is she still relevant?
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• • Damon Devine, stylist and make-up artist extraordinaire, Hollywood, California
• • Mae West was a pioneer is so many ways. She was the first female public figure to show that a woman can be in total control of her own destiny. She knew herself better than anyone else and seemed to have known instinctively what was right for her. She believed herself to be the most beautiful, the sexiest, and always a winner. And she made us believe it (and love it!).
• • Unfortunately, she is the most underrated icon of all time. The more shallow society became, the shorter their attention span, the obsession with tragedy and scandal — — the more Mae West's legend appears to have taken a backseat to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. However, I have faith that Mae West will have a total renaissance again one day and will empower everyone to know and love themselves and focus on success as well as the pleasures life can offer.
• • Damon Devine is involved in the Annual Mae West Birthday Bash in Los Angeles, which takes place in August every year and has a colorful Mae West theme.
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• • Ian Macnicol, collector of Mae memorabilia, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• • The author of this blog asked me to write a short guest piece setting out my views on Mae West’s “legacy” in celebration of the 1,893rd blog. Quite an achievement, huh? The fact that there is a daily Mae West blog that has devoted such a huge amount of energy during the pat seven years to celebrate the great Mae West is a testament, I think, to Mae’s legacy.
• • Similar energy and love went into the “Mae West Color Website” a few years back by Martin Kappinga and myself. In addition, many other websites, books, TV documentaries, and plays have been written to commemorate and examine her life and career. So Mae West, some 30 years after her death and more than 80 years since her heyday, quite clearly continues to fascinate, excite and inspire current day generations. Her legacy is tangible.
• • The most obvious legacy is, of course, her films. She made only a dozen films but once seen Mae West can never be forgotten — — her personality grabs you, you are hooked by her and want to know more. What is heartening is that she is being rediscovered by successive generations and we must hope and expect that this will continue into the future. The thoroughly delightful Romain Tutak is a prime example of a young man besotted by Mae, a woman who had been dead for nearly a decade when he was born. I also have a friend whose interest was ignited as a child when he saw footage on TV marking her passing. And what is particularly remarkable about Mae West fans is that, once bitten, we remain bit! She appears to engender great loyalty in her fans. I have been very impressed by this and have met many of them. There is also some rivalry between them but mostly that is good-natured and I, personally, have had nothing but kindness and friendship over the years from my fellow fans.
• • So if her films are the shop window that first attracts us, what else do we find has had lasting significance once we pass through the shop doors? Her pushing of the envelope in the 1920s no doubt created a thirst for even more progressive theatre and we are probably still feeling the effects of that today. For example, by shining a light on women’s and black and gay people’s place in society, she moved issues of gender, race and gay equality forward in the general societal consciousness. She was in very near the beginning of these various struggles — — always a difficult place to be — — but she did it all with a light touch and with humour; she almost always got her own way and without a doubt, made a difference to the social and sexual mores of the day. In short, her influence was one of the early building blocks for the more inclusive society we in the western world enjoy today.
• • It was as an older woman that she fought her last battle with societal censorship and she did that simply by defying the then accepted roles for older women and older actresses in particular; no playing mothers or grandmothers for Mae West! She was a sexual woman in real life and she wanted to be celebrated and enjoyed for this in her public persona. So, even in old age, she projected the image of a glamorous and desirable woman. She was ridiculed in some quarters at the time but, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that she was remarkably ahead of her time. Today it is fashionable for older people to strive to live full lives and they are actively encouraged and applauded for not letting their age restrict their lifestyles. Mae was a trail-blazer for this.
• • Finally, Mae West pulled off something almost unique (Chaplin being the only other example that springs to mind) when she created the Mae West “character” — — an over-blown blonde with trademark walk, voice, and mannerisms. Over the years, the actress and the woman became one and the same, with Mae reinforcing the character at every opportunity. Eventually, it entered into the social consciousness as an entity, supported by dozens of fabulously funny one-liners. Both the character and her sayings are still immediately recognizable today and are trotted out regularly on radio and TV — — and indeed by all of us, especially at Halloween. In short, she remains one of the most impersonated and quoted women in the world — — which is quite a legacy in itself!
• • So what lessons from her life are still relevant today? Mae West was a tough cookie, relatively uneducated, who was born at the end of the 19th century. However, she had a very clear vision of what she wanted for herself and how she wanted to live her life regardless of the blueprint society had mapped out for her. Most of us conform to this and we make but a ripple on the shore in our lifetimes. Mae West decided not to conform and in so doing she created a tidal wave. The effect was enormous in the 20s and 30s and I have argued that we are still feeling its after-effect today. For all of us, I believe that the main lesson to be learned from the life of Mae West is — — decide on your goal, don’t listen to your detractors, and then go for it big-time!
• • Visit the Mae West Color Site — — www.maewest.nl/
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• • Romain Tutak, French fashion designer, Paris, France
• • Oh my... Mae West!!! Her life, her character, her career, her diamonds — — everything about Mae West was bigger than life. She was not destined to become The Ultimate Hollywood Sex Goddess, and the Very First Bombshell. She was not the most beautiful girl, nor the best actress, yet she succeeded in becoming a legend.
• • Born in 1893, at a time when a woman was not supposed to have any opinion of her own, Mae grew up to become a very driven little girl who knew what she wanted, and what she wanted was to become a star. And She Became Way More than that, she became an Institution (even if she wasn't ready for an institution).
• • From a very young age she had played the Vamp kind of woman, and when she didn't find a play to satisfy her, she wrote one, and what a play it was. “Sex” — — and she found the money to bring it to Broadway. Then a Huge Hit, a Huge Scandal, a Trip in Prison, and a Star was Born!!! The rest is History!!! Mae West "climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.”
• • What is still relevant in Mae West's Career & Life is that If you work hard enough, if you devote your life to this goal, then you can achieve whatever you want. But there is more than that. Mae West was the Most powerful woman in the entertainment business for almost a decade. And, as far as I can remember, she is the ONLY Woman who played this sexual, campy, strong woman who ruled over the male (both onstage and in reality). She is the Only Sex Symbol to do so. All the other actresses were either sweethearts, dumb blonds, or campy — — but in an innocent way.
• • If you take all the Sex Goddesses of Hollywood, and put them in a “whorehouse,” Mae West would have been the One who would have ruled it, make it become the Best, the most Outrageous, the Most Beautiful, the Most Refined, the Most entertaining and Renowned Whorehouse in the world, and she would have made a Fortune on it. And what I like the most in that Idea (which could make a GREAT play, if you want my opinion) is that I think Mae would have loved that.
• • To conclude and to sum up what I want to say: Mae West is, in my opinion, everything a woman should be! Very wise, campy, a bit daring, self-confident, and (of course) UNIQUE!!!
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• • More guest commentators to follow tomorrow!
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• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Darryl Bauer writes: My experience with the event started last year, when I was asked to portray Gus Sun, who worked here in Springfield, Ohio and was the booking agent for big names like Mae West, Lillian Gish, The Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, W.C. Fields, and Burns and Allen. He built the Regent Theatre in downtown Springfield, and when he had his office there, it was one of the busiest Western Union telegram sites in the country. ...
• • Source: Article: "‘Night at the Museum’ unlocks local history" written by Darryl Bauer, WHIO Radio; posted on 6 April 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1893rd 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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Mae West: 26th Annual Fete

On 17 August 2010 MAE WEST was commemorated by an exaltation of Hollywood larks — — who flew in from all directions to alight at the venerable House of Ram.
• • Ramfis "Ram" Diaz, who hosted the very first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984 as a simple spaghetti supper, is a Westiana curator of a vast collection possessing surreal scope and almost Smithsonian dimensions. His latest invitation is shown here.
• • Attendee and fellow devotee R. Mark Desjardins, who journeyed to California from Canada, and who has been researching the private life of Mae West for the past ten years, has penned a first-person account of this merriment.
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• • R. Mark Desjardins writes: The Mae West soiree was billed as a hot time and it certainly lived up to expectations and more! Here is my review.
• • It was a HOT night of Hot fun for a HOT star in Los Angeles, this past August 17th. Mae West always quipped she was born "in one of the hot months" and she loved the number eight. Born in 1893, this was the 117th anniversary of her birth and Los Angeles musician, Ramfis (who prefers to be known simply as "RAM") held his 26th consecutive annual Mae West party on the penthouse floor of his apartment residence, coincidently, suite number 710! All those "eights" can make a Mae West giddy, and what fun it was!
• • The South Gramercy address, once operated as a hotel beginning in 1936 for Paramount Studio, still has an elegant Art Deco feel. Although somewhat faded in glory, it still retains much of the ambiance that must have cheered Paramount stars who lived there in the mid 1930s.
• • Over 85 participants, male and female, straight and gay, from 20-something to late-80s, African American, Latino, Caucasian, and any shade in between came together under a half moon on a gloriously warm night, the Hollywood sign visible to the north, tall palm trees swaying in the tequila colored sunset, coming together to raise a cup of cheer to the memory of Mae West. • • Tables laden with ethnic pot luck dishes homemade by the guests included Chicken Mole, Mexican rice, Thai noodles, salsas and salads of every description and all with a "hot" factor.
• • Among the participants were Kevin Thomas, film critic for the LA Times; Bob Buchanon, a former Dean at USC who befriended Mae; Damon Devine, Mae West fan extraordinare; Chris Basinger, former Ravenswood front desk clerk and friend of Miss West. Other guests included such far flung fans as John Beuscher from the Fort Lauderdale area, by way of Mae's old neighborhood in Brooklyn, and Mark Desjardins from Vancouver Canada, who has been researching the life and times of Mae West for 19 years. Another notable guest who made a brief appearance was the New York City-based Broadway entertainer and Mae West and Sophie Tucker impersonator — — talented Sharon McNight. [See her photo on yesterday's blog post.]
• • Shown in this party portrait, left to right: Mark Desjardins, Kevin Thomas, Chris Basinger, Gary Wares, Andre Simpson, John Beuscher.

• • On August 17th, the guests were entertained by various turns at the karaoke microphone by Ram, a Cher impersonator, and a local cabaret singer named Sonji, who transfixed the audience with her version of "All of Me."
• • Ram, who held the first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984, as a small scale spaghetti supper, has been experiencing health concerns lately which threatened the party this year. An incredible array of friends came to his rescue painting his front room, decorating, arranging the food and cleaning up afterward. Such stalwart pals as Chris, Robert, Tim, among many others know how important this event is and would not accept the soiree being canceled at any cost!
• • The morning after, as this writer looked at an early morning cloud formation, he could swear he saw the visage of Miss West herself winking down on him indicating she was very pleased with the whole affair!
Written by: R. Mark Desjardins of Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Rambunctious Celebration

On 17 August 2010 MAE WEST was saluted on a typical tropical night — — in Hollywood — — at The House of Ram.
• • Ramfis "Ram" Diaz, who hosted the very first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984 as a simple spaghetti supper, is a Westiana preservationist of epic proportions. Indeed many Angelenos would say that Ram's acquisitions of the movie queen's rarities would equal the passionate commitment of Thomas Bruce, the Seventh Earl of Elgin, who seized upon the Parthenon Marbles and brought these artifacts to Britain.
• • Devotee Damon Devine, who was photographed at the party, arrived late — — since he was being pursued all night by autograph seekers.
• • California transplant David Pekrol, a New Jersey native, invited an East Coast performer to the festivities — — and the very talented Sharon McNight delighted the attendees with her Mae West impersonation.
• • Sharon McNight portrayed Mae West at the party • •
• • Sharon McNight, who made her Broadway debut in 1989, is the recipient of the coveted Theatre World Award for "Outstanding Broadway Debut" which was presented to her by Carol Channing. McNight's current project is "Betty, Betty, Bette," created to celebrate the screen legends Grable, Hutton, and Davis. She has six solo recordings to her credit. One of these is "The Sophie Tucker Songbook," which contains the music of her one-woman show based the show business legend. "The Sophie Tucker Songbook" debuted at New York's Rainbow & Stars as part of an ASCAP Sunday night showcase March 1996. Since then, she developed it into a one-woman musical, Red Hot Mama.
• • Canadian guest R. Mark Desjardins, who has been researching the private life of Mae West for the past ten years, has a full report on this annual jubilation in Southern California. His commentary will appear soon, punctuated by more photographs.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Damon's Invitation

MAE WEST — — The Brooklyn Bombshell, The Statue of Libido, The Empress of Sex, Diamond Lil — — the iconclast of the 1920s who evolved into an icon.
• • What was the effect on her fans and her loved ones in November 1980, as motion and emotion, shadow and substance began a leave-taking? For many, the final journey leads to a place of stone, cold, and forgetfulness. But some spectacular stars are like Mae West — — sending back light from themselves more like a song than a requiem.
• • Proust said that truth is only a point of view about things. Damon, an avid collector of Westian and a resolute keeper of the flame, celebrates that love and light privately year-round. And every August, Damon helps organize a joyful public commemoration, honoring Mae West on her birthday in Los Angeles, California on a rooftop lit by the stars. Damon offers a first-hand look to our readers and extends an invitation.
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• • In commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of Mae's burial, American devotee Damon Devine writes about Mae West and the West Coast tradition he is such an integral part of.
• • • • Damon recalls: In the very early 1990s (having moved to Los Angeles), I met such wonderful people as Ramfis Diaz and Chris Basinger (the latter a good friend of Mae West’s who was also a switchboard operator at the Ravenswood).
• • • • The Annual Mae West Bash in Hollywood, California • • • •
• • • • I can’t quite remember the year of the first Mae West Birthday party we had, but I remember it was very small and very nice. Each year it grew bigger. It has always taken place at Ramfis’ Hollywood apartment. The early years were amazing, often taking place on an entire floor of the building and ending up on the roof! Beautiful guys of all ages and nationalities would attend, and if they weren’t already a Mae West fan, they were when they left! The coolest and most fun women in all of Los Angeles would find their way to the party as well. Mae West movies would play on several screens, slide projectors on any available wall would display a rare Mae West image, and Mae's music played as well. Ramfis has massive images of West (oil paintings, photos, drawings, etc) all over the place, which makes for an almost surreal Mae West experience (especially after several drinks!).
• • • • The millennium brought ups and downs for the party. Some years left much to be desired and, occasionally, guests exited a bit let-down instead of with a Mae West feeling.
• • • • Other years were fantastic and August 17th, 2009 was by far the best ever. It took place on the roof of Ramfis’ apartment building, on a gorgeous clear night. There was Chinese and Mexican food aplenty, a great crowd and early 1960s lounge music played in between Mae West songs. There were several cakes and Mae West photos ALL OVER the place, and Mae's lucky number 8 scattered about. There were pearl white and gold balloons tied to a staircase, that led from Ramfis’ apartment to the roof.
• • • • Ramfis is extremely dedicated to Mae West, and has been ever since he was a kid. His collection is as massive as mine and Chris Basinger’s (all three of us having the biggest collections in the world, next to Tim Malachosky’s). I know for a fact, she has been a savior to Ram as well. Like myself, I have seen him lean on Mae West to lift his spirits in dark times. We bonded that way. Ramfis is like a brother to me, and Basinger like a father.
• • Well, as usual, we will toast Mae West quite gloriously next month! So come celebrate with us in L.A. Or if you’re in New York, come up and see Mae on Saturday night, 14 August 2010, at Actors Temple [339 West 47th Street, NYC]. Sophie Tucker and Mae West have a great show planned and the public is invited.
Written by: Damon Devine, Hollywood, California
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Hollywood Heartbreak

It was sixty years ago in January 1950, when "Diamond Lil" was onstage, that a British critic interviewed MAE WEST backstage. Throughout his article he kept comparing his impressions of the bawdy, gaudy, bejeweled 1890s saloon singer with the trim, slim, quiet-spoken woman before him, removing her diamond rings and bracelets in her dressing room.
• • You Made Me Love You • •
• • He wrote: "When Diamond Lil, in a voice that exercises her adenoids far more than her larynx, confides (sings is hardly the word) to her listeners the arch sentiments of "You Made Me Love You," a cataract of applause lasting several minutes overwhelms the theatre and stops the show." Continuing his backstage impressions of Mae back in 1950, the Englishman added, "Gone is the voice ranging suggestively between sibilance and gutteralness and in its stead comes a matter-of-fact New York accent liberally interspersed with you-see-what-I-means, kindas, lookas, and cantchas. And not a wisecrack anywhere. She saves those for her plays. ..."
• • How did her loved ones feel in November 1980, vigilant in the lilac light, in the lengthening pulse of a sorrow so profound it was numbing, as shadow and substance began their vanishing? There on the bedside table, a red resurrection of long-stemmed American beauties, its bark peeling back (where thorns were removed), bones sticking through.
• • And how do Mae's lifelong fans feel today — — experiencing the aftermath of her legacy amidst the clutter of the wise and foolish books written about her — — when they rally among themselves?
• • Proust said that truth is only a point of view about things. Damon, an avid collector of Westian and a resolute keeper of the flame, shares his perspective with our readers.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • In commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of Mae's burial, American devotee Damon Devine writes about Mae West and the West Coast fellowship he is such an integral part of.
• • Damon recalls: When I was 10, in 1980, I was in the car with my grandfather when a radio news bulletin announced that Mae West had passed away. For some unknown reason I was stricken.
• • MAE WEST died? How was that possible? I had always known of her, everyone did.
• • She was in the news on occasion, in the dictionary and portrayed in one way or another in several different cartoons. To me, she was like George Washington, or Mickey Mouse — — you just knew who she was, no matter what age you were.
• • In 1981 • •
• • A year later, lots of trouble began in my home. I had lived with my ultra-conservative Republican grandparents for three years by that time. Having come to them from my other side of them family, who was very liberal and kind, this was a very bad match. There were constant clashes because they simply could not change my very nature.
• • I was extremely unhappy and knew of no way out. Depressed, and with raging hormones, I happened to have caught ‘Mae West Week’ on TV in November of 1981, commemorating the one year anniversary of Mae West’s passing. I was TOTALLY fascinated! My beaten down self esteem and FEAR of conservatives would cease be week’s end! This lady adored herself, and made FUN of prudes and conservatives! I would love her madly, from then on. When in fear, or when feeling the weight of conservatives in power (be it Reagan or my grandparents!), I was now armed with a flippant one-liner and saw the absurdity of their self-righteousness. It saved me. It really did.
• • I left home at 15 — — and took only my clothes and Mae West memorabilia. Those were two things I could not do without! No matter where I went or ended up, the books, records and photo albums would come with me. No matter where I move, one wall is always dedicated to Mae West, who was a savior of sorts.
• • In the very early 1990s (having moved to Los Angeles), I met such wonderful people as Ramfis Diaz and Chris Basinger (the latter a good friend of Mae West’s who was also a switchboard operator at the Ravenswood). Basinger introduced a twenty-something Tim Malachosky to Mae West in 1973, after he waited for days on end in the Ravenswood lobby, in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. Malachosky, via considerable persistence, would later become a much appreciated gofer of Paul Novak’s (Mae West’s live-in companion), and at times would even get to help with West’s fan mail.
• • • • The Lack of a Mae West Fan Club • • • •
• • One wonders why there are not Mae West birthday parties and fan clubs all over the world to the extent that there are long-running fan clubs for Marilyn Monroe [1926 — 1962], "Norma Jean" songs, annual gravesite memorials for Monroe covered in newspapers, and a never-ending stream bubbling out more book titles. [One Marilyn Monroe fan site, with a long masthead of contributors, reviews a new book about her 10 — 12 times a year.] Well, I tell it like it is, so get ready to hear the truth.
• • Mae West was not passive sexually nor a conventionally beautiful and tragic figure.
• • She lived a long and very happy life. She always won and was the aggressor. Most straight men can’t handle that, many gay men can’t relate to it (for a majority cling to tragedy, and as a gay person, I feel entitled to generalize there) and, for whatever reason, a great many women would rather be Marilyn Monroe. Why not Mae West and Marlene Dietrich? They were totally unconventional and lived to be older women, with very admirable lives and long careers. Apparently, the world loves a good talent combined with tragedy, so Garland, Monroe and Piaf it is. Don’t grow old, die of your vices, and you too will always be remembered! What a message!
• • Or… it could be as simple as blaming Roger Richman. What has he done to promote Mae West, whose estate he owns? NOTHING. He owns (or owned?) Monroe’s and must have made a pretty penny there (his last name, RICHMAN, is sooo ironic!).
• • Here in Hollywood, Monroe is EVERYWHERE. Every single store on Hollywood Blvd has Marilyn’s image in its windows. Kids buy her post cards, photos, posters and refrigerator magnets without ever having seen one of her films! That should have been Mae West! She could have empowered these young ladies and gays! She is an excellent role model to go after what you want and WIN, when the odds may be against you! She would have shown there is no need to have a huge brood of kids and a husband to be a “real woman.”
• • Where is Mae West’s U.S. postage stamp? Where is her wax figure in Madame Tussauds? They’ve got Raquel Welch’s wax figure in there, but no Mae West! That’s just… wrong. Very, very wrong.
• • Well… we celebrate Mae West every August! So come celebrate with us in Los Angeles! . . . [to be continued]
Written by: Damon Devine, Hollywood, California
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Footsteps & Footnotes

MAE WEST: how can her impact on pop culture be measured? In November 2010 it will be thirty years since the Brooklyn bombshell left us.
• • The popularity of her one-liners keeps her name popping up in the news almost daily. An astonishingly diverse number of people across the world quote her such as Warren Buffet, artists from India, and fashion designers from France.
• • Mae West still functions as a Muse. Yesterday, for instance, the 41-year-old actor Michael Sheen told HitFix that his character in "Tron Legacy" was inspired by rockers such as David Bowie, Frank-N-Furter from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," the MC from "Cabaret" and Mae West.
• • The personality she played onscreen has become a familiar reference point. But who was she in real life? Colette praised her as the ultimate woman who did not defer to a man — — on celluloid or in reality. Clearly, Mae West was confident enough to rock the world in a cradle of her own devising, often outwitting those who sought to unhinge her hand or make her stumble. Leaping her shrewd elegant leap across generations, she has landed in the mouth of an Irish soccer coach, in the recollections of a World War 2 veteran, high on the schedule of film fest organizers, and on the list of The Top Ten Motion Picture Classics, preserved for posterity.
• • Proust said that truth is only a point of view about things. Mark, a devoted Mae-maven, who is working on a manuscript titled "In Search of Mae West," shares his truths and discoveries with our readers.
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• • In commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of Mae's burial, Canadian R. Mark Desjardins writes about "the most interesting woman I never met."
• • • • PART 2 • • • •
• • Continuing from yesterday, Mark offers these fond recollections about his trips to The Big Apple and to Los Angeles, following in Mae's footsteps.
• • • • Mae's Hometown: New York City! • • • •
• • Mark explains: I decided to travel to NYC for the 100th anniversary of Mae West's birth [17 August 1993] with the idea that I could visit her grave site and retrace some of her footsteps in order to get a better idea of her Broadway career. I also needed to research reviews of her plays, etc. and spent several hours at the New York Public Library. Then I discovered that the Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Centre was where I should spend time. By good luck, one of the librarians in "The Cage" named Roderick Bladel, now long retired, became intrigued by my constant ordering of obscure Mae West material and, after two days observing me, asked me about the purpose of my interest. I explained the reason for my journey and he told me he remembered seeing an ad for a Mae West Tour to celebrate her birthday anniversary. By amazing luck, there was one last available seat on the tour, and my reservation was confirmed.
• • The tour was conducted by Sam Stafford, the president and founder of Sidewalk Tours of New York on Sunday, August 15th, 1993. For thirty dollars, a total of sixty fans, approximately 54 of them males, boarded a caravan of three mini buses. Each participant was given a bound commemorative booklet, and our name was written in gold ink on large purple ribbon that surrounded a beautiful huge floral arrangement that was to be placed at Mae's crypt.
• • During the tour, we drove by the site of the Daly Theatre, Mae's apartment residence at 266 West End Avenue, and the Catholic Church she attended from time to time in Manhattan. Of course, the highlight of the tour was our stop at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.
• • Abbey Mausoleum • •
• • Normally the Abbey Mausoleum is closed to the public, but Sam had obtained permission for the group to enter and view the West family resting place. The building had been state of the art in 1926 when it was built and the only reason Mae West rests there is that when her beloved mother died, she was entombed there. The marble interior was impressive, but obviously the three caretakers who accompanied us appeared somewhat put out that they had to dust off the path we were to take to the top floor. Beautiful stained glass widows that had been broken by vandals were held together by silver duct tape. A bag containing human ashes lay beside a crypt. All other areas in the Abbey were roped off and off limits to us.
• • Sam Stafford upset the caretakers by leading the group to unsheduled stops to the crypts of Victor Moore, Mae's co-star in "The Heat Is On" and James J. (Gentlemen Jim") Corbett, one time Heavyweight Champion of the World, one of her love interests because their resting places had not been dusted off.
• • After Sam checked the floral arrangement to ensure that all the participants names were indeed on the ribbon, we were lead to Mae's final resting place. There were five crypts in all, arranged full length. It appears that Mae was originally placed in the third crypt from the top. Later after her will was read, it was discovered that she had wanted to placed on top. After Beverly passed away, Mae's was removed from the 3rd spot and placed on top.
• • After a brief statement from Sam, the floral arrangement was placed in front of the West family crypt and the participants assembled for a group picture. These flowers were the only ones in evidence in the entire building. I noted that someone had managed to place a tiny rose bud on the bottom ledge of Mae's crypt and that it had dried and was very tiny. Stan told me later that he had visited Mae's crypt the previous Christmas and had noticed the bud back then. It must have been about twenty feet up.
• • At Mae's crypt, the assembled fans shared stories, pictures and memories of their cherished idol. One fan, Rena Burg blew bubbles beneath Mae's crypt and Jori Ellen Schwartzman , a Mae West scholar, videotaped much of the tour, and attempted to interview many of the participants, much to some's dismay.
• • Ron Alexander of The New York Times attended the tour and in his campy assessment of the outing entitled Peel Her A Grape, reported, "Bette [Midler] would be perfect as Mae, if they ever make a movie about her, someone said from the back of the minibus. "I wrote her and told her so," a fellow said. "She never answered."
• • Ron Alexander expounded that Sam was surprised that the tour was even bigger than my "Jackie's World" walking tour or our bus trip to Judy's grave. "This was not a crowd that had to hear last names to know about whom Mr Stafford was talking," Ron stated in his article.
• • West End Avenue Adventure • •
• • Sam had taken a liking to me and was impressed by my interest in Mae and invited me to join him on Tuesday, August 17th to celebrate Mae's official birthday. He had originally wanted to return to the Abbey Mausoleum, but had been denied permission for a return visit. Rather than travel by subway for 40 minutes just to stand outside the Abbey, Sam arranged for Cable One News to interview him in from of Mae's former apartment on West End Avenue. On my way there, I bumped into Roderick Bladel, the librarian who had been so helpful to me and he was thrilled at my good luck to date.
• • Upon arriving at the West End Avenue site, the news crew had not shown up yet and Sam went to telephone them. Meanwhile, I noted that the lobby door to the building had been propped open, and I brazenly snuck into the building and started photographing the lobby interior. The caretaker confronted me and I explained that Mae West had lived her so many years ago and that today was the 100th anniversary of her birth.
• • The caretaker told me that her former suite had been vacated and that I could go upstairs and look around if I wanted to. I accepted his invitation and took countless photographs before realizing Sam would be looking for me. The caretaker stated the news crew was welcome to come up as well and I went back outside with the good news.
• • Rick Burd, another Mae West fan (who had met her) had arrived by now. I was to meet Rick again in Los Angeles a few years later again. After the crew finished interviewing Sam and Rick, I was asked why I had travelled so far to attend her birthday celebration and why I found Mae West so interesting. Realizing my reply may be cut out, I used a Mae West line, "In her own words, 'fascinatin' without being irritatin'!" and, of course, they used it. Imagine my delight later that evening watching the Channel One News as I lay on my bed at the West 63 Street YMCA watching myself on television!
• • Mae West Birthday Celebration In Los Angeles • •
• • Remembering One Annual Event from August 1996 • •
• • The first and only Mae West Birthday celebration in Los Angeles that I have been able to attend to date, apart from the party I plan to attend this August, was the one I participated in August, 1996.
• • Ramfis "Ram" Diaz, a Los Angeles based bartender and musician who has been a long time Mae West fan, hosts this annual party in his apartment in a neighborhood not far from the Ravenswood Apartment building. Weather permitting, the event is held on the rooftop of this art deco era building with the tops of palms trees dotting the horizon.
• • Usually attended by up to fifty or more celebrants such as Chris Basinger who used to be the front desk clerk at the Ravenswood, Damon Devine, a knowledgeable film memorabilia collector, and Kevin Thomas, film reviewer for The Los Angeles Times, the yearly gathering is for "fans and friends of Miss Mae West."
• • Last year's event was the biggest and splashiest to date, with financial backing from the bar when Diaz works. However, with a new employer, Diaz notes that this years celebration may be much more modest in scope. Traditionally Ramfis cooks up an all you can eat spaghetti dinner and guests are encouraged to bring something to toast Mae. Stories and memories of Mae are shared and a general good time is had by all.
• • • • • • One Man's a-MAE-zing Collection • • • • • •
• • As a result of my interest and research in Mae West, I collect any books relating to her career and writings. I am fortunate to have been given a few small items of her personal clothing such as a glove and a handkerchief. I do collect photographs of Mae, but personally find stills of her Las Vegas Review era the most fascinating. Of special interest to me are the series of photographs of her laying in her Vegas suite bed while lifting barbells. Perhaps this harkens back to my early fascination with Mae West stemming from the cheese cake magazine photos that memorized me as a boy.
• • Perhaps the most valuable item I have obtained is a second edition printing of Mae West's biography "Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It' which she personally inscribed to her cousin, "To Henry Doelger my Distinguished Cousin — — So pleased to have included you in my book. Hope you enjoy my demonstration of progressive education. Affectionately, Mae West 1959."
• • The Lack of a Mae West Fan Club • •
• • It is my thought that Mae West does not currently hold the appeal to have a Fan Club base similar to Marilyn Monroe or James Dean because she died an old woman. Those who die young, in the flower of youth seem to be more revered in pop culture. However, it is my thought that Mae West wanted to appeal to the young and young at heart. She worked all her life to maintain the visual image of "Mae West" — — an hourglass-figured blonde wise quipping bombshell. At perhaps great personal cost, she has achieved her goal.
• • Hopefully my manuscript "In Search of Mae West" will appeal to a young demographic who will rediscover her. If a bio epic project could be developed aimed at dusting off her image and making it appeal to a youthful audience, I could foresee a huge increase in interest in Mae West. That would make my 18 year plus involvement in this project well worth my while.
• • Mae West's Impact on Me • •
• • What impresses me the most about Mae West is how much an impact she had on 20th century culture. Being basically uneducated past the third grade, she left her mark on our world in a way that will be celebrated well into the future. Her humor, wisdom and healthy attitude towards sexuality are still relevant. She was a woman well before her time.
• • Before I conclude my remarks, I wanted to mention something else that is very important. For me, apart from fulfilling a dream of writing a book, my involvement with Mae West has opened the door to many wonderful friendships with other fans, whom I would otherwise never had met. Bringing diverse people together with her positive message of believing in yourself, taking time to have fun and not taking yourself too seriously is perhaps Mae West's greatest legacy!
Written by: R. Mark Desjardins of Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Way Out, West Coast

Had she lived, MAE WEST (born in 1893) would have been enjoying her 116th birthday on 17 August 2009.
• • Happily, bi-coastal celebrations of her life and legacy have not stopped for the Mae-mavens among us.
• • Perhaps the Empress of Sex, who resided in a modest two-bedroom unit in the Ravenswood from 1932 — 1980 (where the blinds were always drawn), loved best her confined and old-fashioned white-and-gold living quarters, which made her feel safe. Similarly, some devotees have decorated their abodes in a retro style that must be labeled "Way Out West." Ramfis Diaz, a lifelong collector and MAE-niac, is in this number, enjoying his unique wall-to-wall Mae-Westian in a Los Angeles location so secret that anyone who attempts to enter is immediately pre-screened for waspish Jayne Mansfield tendencies. Or so we hear.
• • This Mae-flavored Mecca was the scene of a festive annual gathering just days ago when the screen queen's faithful congregated on Ramfis's roof under a balloon-studded birthday sign. [See photos.]
• • "It was the best party we ever had!" proclaimed Damon Devine, a handsome Hollywood heart throb. "All the essentials were present: catered Chinese cuisine, a full bar, a sumptuous cake, and a very nice crowd. Mae West photos were everywhere along with big number 8s. Party-goers grooved to the sounds of cool late 1950s, early 1960s lounge music — — and, of course, lots of Mae West covers. The guest list was notable for its diversity in age and race. Once again, the red-headed nudist was there! He has become a fixture now! Chris Basinger (a friend of Mae West's and Ravenswood front desk clerk in the early 1970s) made it this year, as well as Kevin Thomas of the L.A. Times. In our midst was also a Mae West impersonator. I hope next year can match this!"
• • Damon Devine added: "During our celebration, several Angelenos were logging on to your Mae West Blog via their i-Phones and PDAs. They love this site."
• • On to the buffet. Help yourself to a slice of eye-candy — — photographs sent courtesy of the devastatingly delightful Damon Devine, who crafted the beautiful Mae West doll in the center of the last photo.
• • Pictures are the property of Damon Devine and were used with permission. So show some respect or else you'll have to answer to Owney Madden, chump.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West's L.A. party 2009 • • courtesy of Damon Devine • •
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Mae West: Front Row News

Continuing our eye-witness coverage of the MAE WEST panel at UCLA on 23 February 2009, here are more first-person accounts sent in by our intrepid Hollywood correspondents following Monday's clam-bake.
• • One strikingly handsome Angeleno shares this observation: Brought in from the lobby to the James Bridges Theatre were a few Mae West costumes. And THANK GOD, as they would prove to be the only interesting element of the evening. On display was a well-preserved blue dress worn by Mae's character Peaches O'Day in "Every Day's a Holiday" [released in the USA as holiday fare on 18 December 1937]. This beautifully embellished costume was designed 72 years ago by Elsa Schiaparelli. Also on view were Mae's small white satin shoes used during her speakeasy scenes as Maudie Triplett in "Night After Night" and the black sequined and white fur ensemble whipped up for the 1958 Academy Awards grand opening number with Rock Hudson — — and later re-used in "Sextette."
• • According to our trusty Angeleno eagle-eye: The Mae West panel was made up of Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times, Charlotte Chandler, Tim Malachosky, Marvin Paige (a notorious "casting" director), Jonathan Kuntz (an historian of the old Hollywood studio system), and Dan Price (a film archivist who actually knew Miss West very well). Biographer Charlotte Chandler — — her notorious giant curls at half mast on this night — — looked remarkably like my deceased friend Quentin Crisp. She appeared fatigued, but spoke very well. It would seem this is an ANNUAL ROUTINE FOR HER. A book per year, and then this kind of christening ritual in the same theater. Charlotte Chandler said Mae West gave her a bottle of baby oil and said it should be applied warm, by a man, all over. She also gave her some cosmetics. She CLAIMED to have heard a "fluttering" not unlike bird wings, only to discover it was Mae's heavy false eyelashes brushing her cheek as she was blinking.
• • Unfortunately, there were not too many voyagers into Mae West's storied past on February 23rd. UCLA's promotion coordinators put forth a rather low-energy outreach and the auditorium (which can accommodate 278 listeners) was barely half-full for this free event.
• • The Mae West blog is grateful to these stalwart screen-lovers for their patience and their comments. More front-row details will appear tomorrow.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Front Row Views

They came up to see MAE WEST — — about 100 devotees and curiosity seekers, lining up before 7:30 PM on Monday February 23rd outside of UCLA's Melnitz Hall (i.e., the James Bridges Theater, which can seat 248 adults).
• • The Mae West Blog heard from a number of West Coast eye-witnesses and attendees, all of whom are well-versed in MAE-ology. In other words, they've seen all the movies, they know the Westian one-liners by heart, they've read the books, they've collected their share of a-MAE-zing memorabilia, and they were expecting a little class from an event staged at UCLA, where Mae West accepted an award as "Woman of the Century" in 1971 when she was 78 years old.
• • Moderated by Robert Rosen, Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, "the event will be filled with surprises and goodies to make it a night to remember," promised the UCLA press release. However, the evening seems to have been organized by one of the campus leaf-blowers instead.
• • An informed source describes the peculiar "welcome" token on February 23rd: "On our way in, we were all handed a low quality laser copy of Mae West's 1947 passport, which had nothing to do with anything, nor was anyone at all interested, except the die-hards (and there were none here, except me, who has a much higher quality version at home). Why this exceedingly odd item was chosen as a hand-out, no one knew. And no info of any kind was written on it."
• • Our informed source adds: "Inside we saw a gigantic screen with very common, PIXILATED images of Mae West — — every single one obtained by a quick and effortless Google image search."
• • Whose hands were clapping? Another Angeleno insider dishes: "The audience was not comprised of young college students interested in all that Mae West has done for cinema, women, or gay people. The crowd was mostly in the age range of 50 to 70 and two-thirds were male. A sprinkling of women in their 20s — 50s dotted a few rows in this amphitheatre."
• • Unfortunately, there were not too many voyagers into Mae West's storied past on February 23rd. UCLA's promotion coordinators put forth a low-energy outreach and the auditorium was barely half-full.
• • The panelists, charged with discussing their personal and intimate recollections of one of the most fascinating and versatile American icons of the 20th century, were not the most riveting raconteurs, it would appear, alas and alack. A disappointed attendee writes: "I was startled to notice that over one-third of the audience had fallen asleep. Only when Kevin Thomas or Dan Price said something amusing did the listeners seem to be revived for a bit. And even Charlotte Chandler herself appeared to be dozing off on occasion!"
• • One sharp-eyed seat-holder remarked: "At the very beginning, the host said that topics such as what Mae West did for the women's movement, gay people, and the cinema would be discussed, as well as her being a sexual icon. Turns out that no such profound subjects were ever discussed on February 23rd, even in passing."
• • The Mae West blog is grateful to these observers for their comments. More front-row details will appear tomorrow.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Takes the Cake

Go WEST, young men has been their clarion call for fifteen years now. In Los Angeles, California a group of Mae West celebrants are among the faithful who congregate, annually, on August 17th to remember her unique presence.
• • Usually the festivities are organized by Hollywood resident Ramfis Diaz — — a 45-year-old musician adorned by a Fu Manchu mustache and impressively sculpted sideburns that snake around his jaw. A lifelong hoarder of Mae West memorabilia, Diaz has his walls peppered with spicy images of the movie queen at her most liquorous.
• • The merrymakers — — about 40 to 50 guests — — track back to the "come up and see me sometime" gal via various connections.
• • Los Angeles Times reporter Kevin Thomas, a close comrade of the late actress, always attends along with Chris Basinger (a good buddy of Mae's during the 1970s, who worked at the Ravenswood and lived across the street from her), and Damon Devine, a Mae-West-iana collector since age 11 and, like Mae, born under the zodiac sign of Leo.
• • According to the divine Mr. Devine, "The rest of the revellers are mostly there out of curiosity, or attracted by the food, cake, and booze. Also a red-headed nudist seems to show up each year!"
• • A toast to Mae West — — and the memories she stage-managed for each of her fans.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo courtesy of Damon Devine: • • Mae West's birthday cake • • 2007 • •
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