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One highlight of a fundraiser in the mid-Atlantic region will be a special appearance by MAE WEST and W.C. Fields.
• • Taking place today on January 29th, the event, which has a Roaring Twenties theme and music from the Charleston era, is called "An Evening of Decadent Desserts" — — and has been organized to raise cash for the 19th Annual Frederick Festival of Arts. Only 150 tickets will be sold.
• • WHEN: Sunday, 29 January 2012 — — from 5:00pm — 7:30pm
• • WHERE: Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick, Maryland; Tel 301-662-4190
• • Tell them you heard about it on The Mae West Blog.
• • Jimmy Durante [1893 — 1980] • •
• • During 1922, Mae West was writing a new stage act, material for herself and an accompanist, featuring fast-paced skits and songs. Faced with choosing a pianist, Mae had auditioned two unknowns, Brooklynite Jimmy Durante [10 February 1893 — 29 January 1980] and Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972]. Mae selected Richman, a tall, handsome, dapper fellow. Stagebills soon offered her new show: “Bits of Musical Comedy — — Mae West assisted by Harry Richman.” After some good notices, Mae snagged a booking at the Palace.
• • Even though he missed his chance to appear with Mae, Jimmy’s career continued to blossom.
• • Unfortunately, a stroke in 1972 left Durante confined to a wheelchair. He died of pneumonia in Santa Monica, California in January — — on 29 January 1980. He was 86.
• • Happy Birthday on the 29th of January • •
• • Happy Birthday to actress Ann Jillian (born on 29 January 1950), who portrayed Mae West in the 1982 TV bio-pic of the same name. Jillian was 32 when she starred in "Mae West" on the small screen. 
• • Happy Birthday to actor Tom Selleck (born on 29 January 1945). It's been said by a few people that Mae West first noticed Tom Selleck in a Pepsi commercial. She was responsible for getting Selleck cast as The Stud in "Myra Breckenridge" [1970] when he was 25 years old.
• • On Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn • •
• • Mae West was a witness at her younger sister's wedding, which took place on a weekday, Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn City Hall, not far from the West family's Brooklyn residence.
• • January 1971 in Playboy Magazine • •
• • An interview with Mae West was featured in Playboy, Vol. 18, No. 1 — January 1971. Naturally, the Hollywood legend was invited to tell all about the men on her mattress. She did volunteer that the fellows who drink make the worst lovers.
• • Mae West told Playboy readers: "I don't remember how many lovers I've had, there were so many. I was never interested in the score, though — — only the game. Like my line, 'It's not the men in my life that counts but the life in my men.' ... I'm never dirty, dear. I'm interestin' without bein' vulgar. I have taste. I kid sex. I was born with sophistication and sex appeal. But I'm never vulgar, and I don't like obscenity. I just suggest."
• • Mae West explained to Playboy's interviewer: "I've liked the boys for as long as I can remember. When I was 12, I'd have about six of 'em around me and we'd kiss and I'd play with their — — umm, you know. But I didn't know I had this sex personality."
• • On Sunday, 29 January 1978 in Sunday Express • •
• • Since "Sextette" had a British director, articles discussing what happened on the set in Hollywood popped up in the British tabloids. An article discussing a scene filmed in a mock elevator appeared in Sunday Express on 29 January 1978.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in The L.A. Times on parlor games mentioned Mae West.
• • Jack Smith wrote: Others picked Charles Lindbergh, Mark Twain, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and Mae West. Of that group, I would pick Mae West first. I interviewed her once, and she certainly was a wit. . . .
• • Source: Article: "Look Who's Coming to Dinner: Hitler, Jesus, Mae West" written by Jack Smith for The L.A. Times; published on 29 January 1991
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2192nd 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
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1970 • •
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Mae West.
A versatile musician who worked with MAE WEST in Vegas during the 1950s has died, sad to say.
• • Recognize the name Phil Moody? The durable British-born pianist was Mae West's music director. In a recent interview, Phil Moody revealed this intriguing opinion — — that Mae West and Gene Austin were in love even when Austin was married to Moody's sister-in-law, Pony Sherrell. In fact, Gene Austin lived with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Grace and Phil Moody in Palm Springs from 1971 until his death at Desert Regional Medical Center on 24 January 1972. He wrote his last song at their house.
• • Born in Southampton, England, Philip grew up in a musical world and is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. Prior to coming to America, Moody was involved with the British motion picture and television industries; additionally, he was commissioned to write, arrange, and conduct for many of England’s top entertainers.
• • In this country, Phil Moody enjoyed a fruitful career as a Hollywood composer and arranger as well as a music director in Las Vegas and the MGM Grand in Reno. In the 1960s and 1970s, he directed and co-wrote material for artists as diverse as Jimmy Durante, Betty Grable, opera diva Helen Traubel, and the extraordinary film legend Mae West — — who performed a “muscle man” act with special material co-written by Moody.
• • A longtime veteran of the night club music scene in Palm Springs, California, Phil Moody died at a local hospice on Monday, 22 August 2011. His age was given as 89. A graveside service for this musician is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 26 August 2011 at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City. Word is that a private celebration of his life will be held in autumn.
• • Phil Moody, you will be missed by all your fans.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West wrote this. "I'm a woman of very few words — — but lots of action."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Here, in the third extract from her new book The World According to Joan, Joan Collins explains why age should never be a barrier to looking good and feeling great ...
• • Joan Collins wrote: Catherine the Great was reputed to have taken younger lovers to bed. Mae West, who lived to 90 [sic], had a live-in lover 45 years younger than she was. When asked how she kept herself looking so young, Mae replied: ‘I go to bed early, I meditate, I eat all the right foods, I don’t smoke or drink alcohol and I believe in myself with a passion. You can only beat nature when you show the bitch who’s boss!’ ...
• • Source: Article: "Botox? No, it's sex that'll keep you looking young, Joan Collins reveals" published in the Daily Mail (UK); posted on 23 August 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2032nd 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
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • c. 1953 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
In early July 1916 MAE WEST and Beverly were busy with their dress rehearsals. Matilda West had urged her daughters to put together a sister act.
• • Variety announced: "New Acts This Week — — July 7th. Mae West and Sister — Songs. 18 Minutes."
• • "Mae West and Sister" appeared at Keith and Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre [27-31 West 28th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Broadway]. On the same bill was a Fatty Arbuckle film, a Keystone comedy.
• • Mae and Beverly's vaudeville turn included two popular Black songs that Mae had previously found success with: "They Call It Dixieland" and "Walkin' the Dog," their finale, for which Mae appeared in a man's tuxedo and top hat and Beverly wore feminine frills.
• • Reviewing the act, Variety's publisher Sime (who was often critical of Mae) wrote this: "This working out new acts, buying new wardrobe, and worrying will get to Miss West's nerve in time (but it will probably be a long time). Miss West, in the first number, "I Want to Be Loved in the Old Fashioned Way," follows her sister (who sings the first verse straight) with a second verse telling how Miss West would prefer to be loved, in the modern way, auto ride, plenty of wine, and so on . . . ."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • This lively excerpt was written by the versatile variety artist, monologist, and comedian Joe Laurie, Jr. [1892 — 1954], a native New Yorker well acquainted with "hometown girl" Mae West. Writing in 1953, Mr. Laurie presents his recollections on the remarkable vaudevillians of his generation.
• • • • Chapter: Mimics 103 • • • •
• • Most imitated males — — I believe that the most imitated men in the world were Harry Lauder, Charlie Chaplin, Gallagher & Shean, and Jimmy Durante. Just try and find me a guy who hasn't tried to sing "She Is My Daisy" with a burr; they ran Charlie Chaplin contests all over the world; and there were so many imitations of Gallagher & Shean that the Keith office had to issue a rule that there would be only one on a bill! And, of course, as for the great Schnozzola, Jimmy Durante, there's millions of 'em. (Eddie Garr was the first mimic to do Durante and was great.)
• • Most imitated females — — The most imitated women were Eva Tanguay and Mae West. Just think back and try to remember any kid just learning to talk who didn't say, "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?" and their doting mothers would say, "Another Mae West!"
• • From 1897 to 1910 there was an epidemic of mimics in vaude, It died down for about five years and then broke out again and lasted until about 1925, when the mimics took a powder for awhile. Creators, not imitators, became the order of things. Then radio came in and with it a plague of mimics got aboard the gravy train many very good ones who have since given up mimicry but, as I said before, I'm only telling you about the guy and dolls in vaude up through the Palace days. ...
• • Source: Excerpt from the book "Vaudeville: From the Honky-tonks to the Palace" written by Joe Laurie, Jr. [NY: Henry Holt & Co., 1953]; Chapter "Mimics 103"
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1980th 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
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Mae West & Sister," 1916 • •
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Mae West.
MAE WEST, in animated form, briefly but memorably appears in the Turner Features Animation film "Cats Don't Dance" [1997]. Not marketed very successfully, it breezed through the movie houses on its quiet little paws and perhaps you never heard of it. 
• • Mae West steps into the frame during "Danny's Arrival Song," at a musical interlude. The scene is the legendary Brown Derby Restaurant, which opened in the 1920s.
• • Gossip columnists such as Hedda Hopper would regularly mention certain trendy restaurants and night clubs in their columns when celebrities were seen in hot spots such as Vine Street's Brown Derby, which was steps from the intersection of Hollywood and Vine.
• • It is 1939 when Danny the cat wants to break into show business in Tinseltown. He approaches the Brown Derby restaurant. But instead of entering, he prowls around the perimeter, pussy-footing, and appearing at the windows. First, he is seen at the window of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Then he is seen at the window where Mae West is framed. Mae poses for the cameras and mouths a kiss. A flurry of flashbulbs greets the screen queen — — however, Mae West is not seen again.
• • Several cartoon versions of Golden Age Hollywood stars appear in this film in addition to Mae West and Laurel and Hardy such as: Jimmy Durante, Bette Davis, Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh, Laurel and Hardy, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford, W. C. Fields, and Clark Gable during the red carpet premiere. The cartoon, released in March 1997, won the Best Animated Feature award at the 1997 Annie Awards.
• • Hope in May • •
• • Bob Hope appeared with Mae West on TV on Sunday, 3 May 1959 on Dean Martin's special. The comedian was born in England on 29 May 1903.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West wrote this exchange for "My Little Chickadee" [1940].
• • • Wayne Carter: Spring is the time for love.
• • • Flower Belle Lee: What's the matter with the rest of the year?
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Canadian columnist Shinan Govani interviewed Montreal's "Eligible Lady Jennifer Campbell," who said that her "Dream Dinner Guest List" would include: Mae West, Chelsea Handler, Graydon Carter, Marilyn Monroe, Rob Lowe, Alexandra Shulman, Karl Lagerfeld, Katie Couric, and Shinan Govani. ...
• • Source: Article: "Shinan’s Worthy 30: Montreal’s most eligible ladies" written by Shinan Govani for The National Post; posted on 28 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1945th 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xmlMae West• • Photo: • • Mae West • • cartoonized, 1997 • •• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYCMae West.
The Clipper often announced that MAE WEST would be bringing a new act to vaudeville and where she would be opening.
• • A laugh-getter who appeared with Mae in "Myra Breckinridge" [released in the USA on 24 June 1970] also had ties to variety. Chicago native Kathleen Freeman made her vaudeville debut at age 2, becoming a part of her parents' act.
• • Born in the month of February — — on 17 February 1919 — — the heavy-set comedienne portrayed Bobby Dean Loner in the screen version of Gore Vidal's bestseller. Kathleen Freeman often chuckled about working with every "tough bitch" in the film industry. After this motion picture had been released, she often recalled the clash between the film's two leading ladies: "Mae West was not an actress; she was not a star; she was the most incredible phenomenon I ever encountered. Place that against the starlet Raquel Welch, who had an enormous ego, and boom — — there were fireworks. And I made darn sure that I wasn't caught up in the cross-fire."
• • The UCLA graduate's first goal had been to shine as a professional pianist but, after thoroughly enjoying her work with several stock productions, she changed gears. Kathleen Freeman once said: "I think comedy is more powerful than drama in the long run. Comedy is more difficult. It's very easy to make people cry."
• • Kathleen Freeman made her first motion picture appearance in 1948 at 29 years old. The reliable character actress was used as a comic foil by Jerry Lewis in several of his films. Her stocky figure, expressive face, energetic laugh, and supple voice-craft served her well, keeping her in demand and busy juggling parts on the silver screen, TV, and also on Broadway.
• • Kathleen Freeman, 82 years old, was cast in a Broadway production when she died in New York City on 23 August 2001 of lung cancer. Engaged on stage until the very end, the octogenarian had given her final Tony nomination performance for her role as the piano player in Broadway's musical hit "The Full Monty" on August 18th, and five days later she was gone.
• • John Garcia, Executive Director/ Producer of "The Column" Awards, created an award in her honor. This prize is given to individuals who overcome personal, physical, or other major problems in their lives and continue to work in theater, whether behind or in front of the curtain. Kathleen Freeman embodied the true spirit of the Broadway gypsy: "The show must go on." Applause!
• • Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre • •
• • Designed by the Rapp Brothers and initially named the New Palace Theatre in 1926 — — a baroque, lavishly appointed vaudeville venue until it became a place to show motion pictures — — for quite a number of years the auditorium attracted major stars such as Mae West, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny.
• • Now known as the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and still looking splendid with its Italian marble polished and spiffy, this Randolph Street showpiece can be toured every Saturday.
• • For details on the 75-minute walking tour of the Cadillac and one other opulent Loop theater (the Oriental) designed by the same architects, phone 800-775-2000.
• • Tell them you read about it on the Mae West Blog and ask to see the old programs and stagebills featuring her in the archives.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Buck Loner and Letitia Van Allen on the set, 1970 • •
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Mae West.
Actors portraying characters such as MAE WEST will take to the stage and delight ticket-holders during early February on behalf of an annual local fundraiser as well as a centennial.
• • Founded a century ago in 1911, The Winton Club is a women’s organization with one unified goal: to support Winchester Hospital. Celebrating their history, their upcoming “Wincentennial” will feature popular music, 42 songs in all, with hits from each decade since the club was organized — — from World War I-era favorites to the Black-Eyed Peas and Bon Jovi, according to show producer Debbie Williams Chasse.
• • WHEN: February 1st — 5th, 2010.
• • WHERE: Winchester Town Hall Auditorium, 71 Mount Vernon St., Winchester, Mass.
• • INFO: Gayle O'Grady at 781-729-5307.
• • Tell them you heard about it on the MAE WEST BLOG.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Remembering Jimmy Durante, who died on January 29th • •
• • During 1922, Mae West was writing a new stage act, material for herself and an accompanist, featuring fast-paced skits and songs. Faced with choosing a pianist, Mae had auditioned two unknowns, Brooklynite Jimmy Durante [10 February 1893 — 29 January 1980] and Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972]. Mae selected Richman, a tall, handsome, dapper fellow. Stagebills soon offered her new show: "Bits of Musical Comedy — — Mae West assisted by Harry Richman." After some good notices, Mae snagged a booking at the Palace. 
• • Even though he missed his chance to appear with Mae, Jimmy's career continued to blossom. His distinctive clipped gravelly speech, nasal Brooklyn accent, mangled comic language, jazz-influenced songs, and a large, distinctive "schnozzola" helped make this unique performer one of America's most familiar and popular personalities from the 1920s through the 1970s.
• • In 1935, both Brooklynites appeared on this amusing bookcover.
• • In March 1951, Jimmy Durante was featured at the Copacabana, a Manhattan night spot that also booked The Mae West Revue.
• • Interesting, is it not, that both were born in 1893 and died in 1980 and yet these two vaudevillians never shared a stagebill.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1935 • •
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Mae West.
MAE WEST is one of many pop-culture references in “Shine: A Burlesque Musical,” now being staged at La MaMa Etc. as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. The cast's lines will call to mind Sally Rand, Marlene Dietrich, the Pussycat Dolls — — and also the down-and-dirty burlesque movement of The Big Apple's juicy pre-Giuliani past. Critics are saying the show needs work. Let us know what you think.
• • Noticing this article on 13 August 2010 was quite sad: "Mae West ate here: Brooklyn Arby's shuts, landmark building stays." Writing for Examiner.com about the storied destination eatery of long-ago Gage & Tollner, Jane Lasky noted: "Yesterday, after just seven months on its landmark building, a beautiful Brooklyn Arby's shut down. . . . The former showplace where Mae West ate (Jimmy Durante, too) at 372 Fulton Street will rise again as it has before. ..." 
• • Spiritual Uplift (Gone Gaudy) at Actors Temple • • • • But here in Gotham yesterday, the weather was ideal as gentlefolk along The Great White Way looked agog as the gilded hoofbeats grew louder, and then a gorgeous ivory brougham turned onto West 47th Street, halting in front of Actors Temple at 9:30 PM on Saturday, 14 August 2010 — — and a caped footman gallantly escorted The Gaudy Girls into the ancient tiled foyer. 
• • Portraying Mae West and Sophie Tucker at the Annual Mae West Birthday Tribute were the beautiful cabaret stars Anne Marie Finnie and Maggie Worsdale, respectively, garbed in seductive glitter, couture millinery, and sequined gowns.
• • There shall be more to tell on a future post.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Annual Mae West Tribute in NYC • •
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Mae West.
Ever hear of a "MAE WEST hold"? Well, it does sound intriguing, bringing to mind that old one-liner: "If I said I loved your body, would you hold it against me?" Baaa-bummm! Nevertheless, it turns out that it's actually one of those tricky maneuvers in the United States Senate.
• • The "Mae West Hold" • •
• • Apparently, during the 1950s, when Lyndon B. Johnson became Senate majority leader, "holds" began to come into play. When L.B.J. resorted to using so-called unanimous consent agreements in order to pass multiple bills with a single vote, his critics attempted to slow or sabotage the process by using "holds," a secretive way to block legislation and nominations — — without identifying oneself or giving a reason.
• • These "holds" have unofficial pet names. Here's a loose definition of the "Mae West hold" — — a desire to cut a deal as a condition to lift the hold. Now who came up with that one? Why not write your senator to find out?
• • Quint's "Loot in the Boot" • •
• • In 1966, the unstoppable Mae West recorded “Put the Loot in the Boot, Santa” along with a long-playing assortment of newbies, a Beatles hit [Lennon/ McCartney’s “With Love from Me to You”], parodies, double entendres, and burlesque songs. "Wild Christmas" even included an instant classic: "Santa, Come Up and See Me Sometime” (which should be sung on December 24th if you are hoping for a whopper in your Xmas stocking). Truly, nobody puts the X in Xmas like Mae West.
• • Has anyone ever asked for the lyrics to the Christmas novelty “Put the Loot in the Boot, Santa”? Honestly, no. However, the octogenarian and World War 2 veteran Quint Benedetti enjoys telling pals that he met Mae West and she was delighted to record his song, which he is "still a seasonal favorite internationally," according to him. Don't argue with the gentleman, especially since his father Quinto Benedetti was born and bred in Lucca, the hometown of composer Giacomo Puccini. Instead please go read about this title published on 16 June 2010: (My Travels with) Agnes Moorehead — — The Lavendar Lady (more Bewitching than Endora) by Quint Benedetti. Good luck, sweetheart.
• • 23 June 1922 "She rises to heights undreamed of for her . . . • •
• • During the month of June — — on 23 June 1922 — — Variety's critics briefly changed their tone, moving from dousing Mae with a bucket of glacial malice to (wow!) a reverential nod.
• • That summer, New York's air was jagged with mosquitoes as shadows stretched across vaudeville, slowly going under, a bare bright emptiness in its future.
• • Shoring up her options, Mae had written "The Ruby Ring" [1921] and "The Hussy" [1922] and she also was preparing to appear in "The Ginger Box Revue," scheduled to open in August 1922 in Greenwich Village.
• • Simultaneously, Mae was writing a new stage act for herself and an accompanist, featuring fast-paced skits and songs. Faced with choosing a pianist, Mae had auditioned two unknowns, Brooklynite Jimmy Durante [10 February 1893 — 29 January 1980] and Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972], and selected the taller, more dapper fellow. Stagebills soon offered her new show: "Bits of Musical Comedy — — Mae West assisted by Harry Richman."
• • After some good notices, Mae snagged a booking at the Palace.
• • She had structured her turns to include a short version of "The Ruby Ring," a bit in which she was costumed as a Roman empress/ temptress in need of a new gladiator, and a blues segment in which she delivered a gutsy "Frankie and Johnny."
• • Reviewers sat up straight for this one. "She rises to heights undreamed of for her and reveals unexpected depths as a delineator of character songs, a dramatic reader of ability, and a girl with a flair for farce that will some day land her on the legitimate Olympus" [Variety, 23 June 1922].• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.
Maybe MAE WEST ordered the roast beef or the oysters or the prime ribs, since she was (after all) a red-blooded kind of gal.
• • No record exists of exactly where she sat, if a fellow near her spat, or if the old-fashioned menu made New Yorkers fat. Patrons once included aristocrats, diplomats, and even downtown democrats. And every customer wore a hat in the days when Mae West and Jimmy Durante dined at the historic Gage and Tollner’s restaurant site at 372-374 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York.
• • On 21 January 2010, the famed dining hall will have "a soft opening" as Arby's — the franchise that once featured Mae West on a collectible drinking glass. Franchise owner Raymond Chera claimed that the Landmarks Commission only permitted them to make very minor changes. Does this mean the brass spittoons are still in place?
• • An official opening is scheduled for around Valentine's Day. We'll wait until what's "soft" gets hard.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________
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Mae West
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Mae West.
Variety often scolded MAE WEST or found a witty way to sling unkind or unpleasant pronouncements in her direction.
• • During the month of June — — on 23 June 1922 — — Variety's critics briefly changed their tone, moving from glacial malice to a reverential nod.
• • That summer, New York's air was jagged with mosquitoes as shadows stretched across vaudeville, slowly going under, a bare bright emptiness in its future.
• • Shoring up her options, Mae had written "The Ruby Ring" [1921] and "The Hussy" [1922] and she also was preparing to appear in "The Ginger Box Revue," scheduled to open in August 1922 in Greenwich Village.
• • Simultaneously, Mae was writing a new stage act for herself and an accompanist, featuring fast-paced skits and songs. Faced with choosing a pianist, Mae had auditioned two unknowns, Brooklynite Jimmy Durante [10 February 1893 — 29 January 1980] and Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972], and selected the taller, more dapper fellow. Stagebills soon offered her new show: "Bits of Musical Comedy — — Mae West assisted by Harry Richman."
• • After some good notices, Mae snagged a booking at the Palace.
• • She had structured her turns to include a short version of "The Ruby Ring," a bit in which she was costumed as a Roman empress/ temptress in need of a new gladiator, and a blues segment in which she delivered a gutsy "Frankie and Johnny."
• • Reviewers sat up straight for this one. "She rises to heights undreamed of for her and reveals unexpected depths as a delineator of character songs, a dramatic reader of ability, and a girl with a flair for farce that will some day land her on the legitimate Olympus" [Variety, 23 June 1922].
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.
Raise your hand if you have an Arby's tumbler imprinted with the face of MAE WEST?
• • The roast beef sandwich chain, based in Georgia, is claiming to have sealed a juicy deal on their first Kings County outpost.
• • The fast food franchise will take top shelf space on Fulton Street inside the landmark that once hosted the venerable Gage & Tollner, where Mae West used to dine. Former patrons of Gage & Tollner were frequently high-fliers [think "Diamond Jim" Brady] along with colorful entertainers such as Jimmy Durante.
• • In 1879, a decade before Battling Jack West and Tillie Delker took their wedding vows, Charles Gage decided it was time to open an "eating house" in Brooklyn at 303 Fulton Street. By 1892, a year before Mae West was born, Gage & Tollner relaunched their dining saloon at 372—374 Fulton Street — — in a brownstone built in 1875 (before the district became commercial).
• • It seems odd to think of fast food served in an historic gaslight-era rowhouse that once boasted a prestigious steakhouse catering to swells and stars. But Raymond Chera, a Brooklyn-based franchisee, insisted that its gas lamps and wall-length mirrors will survive the dramatic transformation. “We’re keeping everything in place, and anything we move in will be non-permanent and easy to move out,” said Chera. “It will probably be the most beautiful Arby’s ever.”
• • But will the Mae West etched glassware return to Arby's? Stay tuned.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
NYC
Mae West.
In Marion, Ohio, they fondly remember MAE WEST. 
• • On August 30th and 31st, 2008, Ohio theater-goers will get a chance to party like it's 1928 at the kick-off event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Palace Theatre — — and reminisce about the Brooklyn bombshell, too.
• • Elaine Merchant, executive director of the Palace, said she and other staff have done considerable research to re-enact the opening night in 1928, as closely as possible. Merchant calls this weekend's event a rewind to the entertainment the first Palace Theatre patrons would have seen in back then.
• • Performances will include some local folks who will bring a nostalgic flavor through tumbling, comedy, and vaudeville acts suggestive of such acts at Mae West, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante, Ethel Walters, Groucho Marx, Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foys, and more.
• • The anniversary event will open with the silent film "Sherlock Jr." starring Buster Keaton, accompanied by music on the Palace's Mighty Wurlitzer organ played by Dennis James.
• • The Palace Theatre [276 W. Center Street, Marion, Ohio 43302] can be phoned at (740) 383-2101 and they will tell you more about their 80th Jubilee.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1927 • • NYC
Mae West.
A world-famous restaurant — — that in its heyday served Hollywood stars like MAE WEST and Jimmy Durante — — could soon return to downtown Brooklyn.
• • Joseph Chirico, who ran Gage & Tollner before closing the upscale eatery in 2004, said he plans to reopen it at a new location within two years. "It broke my heart to shut it down," said the restaurateur. He kept the naming rights but sold the original building.
— — Source: — — • • Published in: The New York Post
• • Byline: Rich Calder• • Published on: 25 August 2008
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • Established as an oyster bar and seafood house in 1879 was Gage & Tollner: 372 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1934 • • NYC
Mae West.
A derelict Vermont vaudeville palace — that once hosted luminaries as MAE WEST, Harry Houdini, and Jimmy Durante — underwent a $3.7 million renovation and will reopen this weekend with a production of "The Phantom of the Opera" performed by a local group.
• • Chairman of the theater restoration committee William Lockwood said the theater was built in 1927, after the first 1870 Town Hall burned down in 1925. The Bellows Falls Opera House had been booking variety acts before its conversion to a movie house.
• • Despite its original name — Bellows Falls Opera House — local historians said it was doubtful that the Colonial Revival structure was known for such high-class fare. It is believed that many of the earliest ticket-buyers were travelers, since folks had to change trains in Bellows Falls.
• • Where are the WOODCHUCKS? Shucks. A Vermont native is known as a "woodchuck."
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
NYC
Mae West.
