Mae West: Roaring

The third week of August ends the roaring reign of Leo the lion [July 23rd — August 22nd], the astrological sign MAE WEST was born under. Borrowing details from her own bio for the dialogue with the fortuneteller in "I'm No Angel" who says, "You were born under Leo," Mae's character Tira, a novice lion tamer, replies, "Yeah, the king of beasts, huh?"
• • Perhaps the horoscope that Rajah hands Tira lists some of this information: Sun in Leo 25°22'; Moon in Scorpio 11°27'; Mercury in Leo 11°04'; Venus in Virgo 24°06'; Mars in Virgo 1°03' (and other details whose importance will be understood by some, but pooh-poohed by others). In this 1933 motion picture comedy, Tira often consults this forecast, seeking guidance on her career and romances.
• • On 23 August 1922 • •
• • It was 23 August 1922 when The Clipper announced that Mae West had returned to vaudeville and would be opening (again) at Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre starting that Monday. This was the same venue that had booked "Mae West and Sister" in its charming auditorium steps from Madison Square Park.
• • Kathleen Freeman • •
• • 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 on 17 February 1919, the heavy-set comedienne portrayed Bobby Dean Loner in the screen version of Gore Vidal's bestseller. 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."
• • She 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 during the month of August — — 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!
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West wrote this exchange for "I'm No Angel" [1933], a big hit for Paramount Pictures.
• • • Tira: Come on, can't you hurry up and get that thing fixed? I gotta get back. I'm expecting Mr. Clayton at the apartment.
• • • Bill Barton's Chauffeur: I'm doing the best I can, ma'am.
• • • Tira: Yeah, your best is no good. Try doing your worst.
• • • Bill Barton's Chauffeur: Yes, ma'am.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Kings County historian Vernon Parker wrote: As the curtains closed over the screen on 22 August 1962, the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre at Flatbush and DeKalb avenues was history. ... Gracing its ornate stage during its reign as the mecca of Brooklyn entertainment were such celebrities as Mae West, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Rudy Vallee, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, and most of the big band era orchestras. ...
• • Source: Article: "On This Day in History: August 22 — — Paramount’s Last Picture Show" written by Vernon Parker for The Brooklyn Eagle; posted on 22 August 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2031st 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 • • 1933 • •
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Mae West: August Attire

Born under the sign of Leo the lion, MAE WEST (birthdate: 17 August 1893) felt empowered by her untamed, untranslatable, creative roar — — a leonine desire for stardom, pageantry, and razzing authority.
• • It seems that the Sun is most radiant when it resides in Leo, an astrological cycle that begins on July 23rd and ends on August 22nd.
• • During the month of August, when the vivacious vaudevillian was even more energized, several motion pictures were in progress.
• • In Hollywood, "Night After Night" began production on 22 August 1932. Mae had been offered a modest and colorless role as an ex-girlfriend of George Raft's character, the upwardly mobile thug and speakeasy owner Joe Anton.
• • The "Maudie Triplett" look was dreamt up by Paramount's costume designer Travis Banton, who was born in August — — on 18 August 1894 — — another Leo with a jones for show stopping.
• • Four summers later, in August 1936, production was in full force for "Go West, Young Man," this time keeping its star centered in the script. The "Mavis Arden" wardrobe was put together by Costume Designer Irene Jones.
• • Shot mostly on a closed set, the cinematographer Karl Struss mediating the chiaroscuro between moon and sun, each 1936 frame was robbed of its Technicolor potential. In reality, however, dazzled electricity eagerly fingered Mae West's colorful attire, fanning circles over detailed Tinseltown gilding, as if to undress the orphaned black-white dark.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1936 • •
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Mae West: Hot Month

When MAE WEST was writing the screenplay for "I'm No Angel," she wove a tiny strand of her own bio into the playful narrative — — including a reference to her shimmy, her belief in the occult, her love of animals, and her birthday in August.
• • "I'm No Angel" Cast • •
• • Mae West as Tira
• • Cary Grant as Jack Clayton
• • Gregory Ratoff as Benny Pinkowitz
• • Edward Arnold as Big Bill Barton
• • Mae-centered morsels • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Tira, who performs in a circus sideshow, is famous for her hootchie-cootchie style — — a gal who discovered you don't have to have feet to dance. Tira goes to the resident gypsy to have her fortune told.
• • Rajah [played by Nigel de Brulier], the astrologer reads her horoscope.
• • Rajah: You were born in August.
• • Tira: Yeah, one of the hot months.
• • Rajah: It was on the 17th under the sign of Leo, the Lion.
• • Tira: Aw, King of the Beasts, huh.
• • Tira [pronounced TY-rah] is warned to be careful that night — — because she could be unlucky. Tira tells him that she'd like to know her future (because she knows all about her past).
• • Rajah: Ah, you have a wonderful future. I see a man in your life.
• • Tira: What — — only one?
• • Rajah: But this is one very particular man. He is very wealthy, enormously wealthy.
• • Tira: ... What does he look like?
• • Rajah: I see he has brown eyes. In fact, I see two men... two different men. In the near future, I see a change. ... I see a change of position.
• • Tira: Sitting or reclining? . . .
• • Rajah: The horoscope — — keep this where you may consult it frequently.
• • Tira: All right, I'll take it to bed with me.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
— — excerpt from "I'm No Angel" written by Mae West — —
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Queen of the Jaguars

An intimate showing of a MAE WEST classic is always a welcome event.
• • And this brings to mind the oddity that not much has been written about the women Mae West admired, for instance, trailblazers such as Amelia Earhart, Texas Guinan, Marie-Louise Morelli, and Mabel Stark.
• • Mabel Stark was the beautiful blonde wild animal tamer who doubled for Mae during some of the big top scenes in "I'm No Angel" [1933].
• • As a child visiting Dreamland with her Dad in 1904, Mae West was dazzled by the fearlessness of Madame Marie-Louise Morelli, who trained leopards, jaguars, and tigers. In advertisements that billed the petite Frenchwoman as "Queen of the Jaguars," the jungle prowlers were referred to as Morelli's "treacherous pets." Awed by Madame Morelli's smooth command in the cage, the curly-haired little Brooklynite (born in August under the sign of Leo) decided one day she, too, would come face to face with the King of Beasts.
• • Born in Kentucky, Mabel Stark [9 December 1889 — 20 April 1968] was America's premier tiger trainer during the 1920s.
• • During a photo shoot with Mabel Stark, Mae West was asked if she could see herself trading places with anyone and she said: "Yes, it would be this Mabel Stark, the Tiger Girl!"
• • See if your eyes are sharp enough to spot Mabel Stark next week in the vintage footage when the Canadian cinema historian Reg Hartt will be screening Mae West's circus film "I'm No Angel" (written by Mae and based on her fond memories of Bostock's lions in Coney Island). Film archivist and celluloid connoisseur Reg Hartt, who will be introducing this screen classic, had also offered Mae West's first starring film "She Done Him Wrong" (based on her stage play "Diamond Lil" with its Bowery setting) until 2 July 2009.
• • About "I'm No Angel," Reg Hartt had this to say: Mae West was a star of such enormous clout that she was able to dictate her desires. She changed forever not only the role of women in the movies but also the way women in real life saw themselves. “When I am caught between two evils,” she said, “I generally take the one I have not yet tried.” This feature film was made in 1933. It was written by her.
• • The Cineforum is the unique movie emporium that Mr. Hartt operates out of his Bathurst Street living room in Canada.
• • Though the Cineforum has existed for the past four decades, it was not until 1992 that it was moved to his parlor. British painter Peter Moore described the intimate, old-fashioned Cineforum as “the most perfect place in the world to watch a motion picture.”
• • WHERE: Cineforum — — 463 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario.
• • WHEN: 7:00 PM on 20 July 2009 [Note: Monday evening only]. Program personally introduced by Reg Hartt.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with Mabel Stark in 1933 • •
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Mae West: Colorful

Born under the sign of Leo, MAE WEST enjoyed being onstage and on display. Noticing people bunched down, burying the urges, she shimmied to the microphone and spelled a new name for everything.
• • Many individuals took her picture — — or tried to catch the Empress of Sex with a charcoal stick, pencil, chalk, oil paints, or mixed media. Recently, book designer Nancy Vala tried her hand at sketching Mae.
• • Born under the sign of Leo, Nancy Vala spends her working hours focused on designing, illustrating, and writing. In her spare time, she relaxes by enjoying motion pictures and museums and going kayaking,
• • Nancy Vala posts her artwork here — — http://walkingsatellite.blogspot.com — — so come up sometime and admire her colorful creations.
• • The 24th of June was memorable for Mae West and men she knew. Her lover, heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey was born on this date. So was a singer/ songwriter Mae admired and worked with at Paramount: Gene Austin.
• • Mae-mavens already know that the curious motion picture "Myra Breckinridge" was released on 24 June 1970.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Zabo Koszewski

Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski toured with MAE WEST during the 1950s. Like the Brooklyn bombshell, the East Coast native was a stage-worthy Leo born in August.
• • Jon Thurber writes in the Los Angeles Times: 'The longtime Santa Monica resident was a constant presence at Muscle Beach, where in his prime he'd pump out 500 Roman Chair sit-ups in about 15 minutes."
• • Zabo's midsection wowed even veteran muscle-movers. "He had a 10-pack of abs when everyone else had a six-pack," recalled John Balik, publisher of Iron Man Magazine. In his prime, Zabo was a natural fit for the Mae West Revue. In 1953, he won the Amateur Athletic Union's Mr. Pacific Coast title. In 1954, he snagged the AAU Mr. California title, following those honors with numerous "best abdominal" titles in three decades of bodybuilding competitions.
• • According to a recent issue of the Los Angeles Times, Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski died on 29 March 2009 of pneumonia at a hospital in Doylestown, Pennyslyvania. The longtime resident of Santa Monica and a Muscle Beach mainstay was 84, writes Jon Thurber in his detailed obit.
• • "The history of Muscle Beach was about its people as much as the sun and the sand," Balik wrote in his magazine, noting that Koszewski "was the embodiment of the spirit of Muscle Beach."
• • He was born in Camden, N.J., on August 20, 1924, and was a gifted athlete as a young man. At Collingwood High School, near his home in Woodland, N.J., he was an all-state guard in football, he wrestled, and he swam competitively. He began lifting weights as a teenager in the late 1930s and didn't stop.
• • He enlisted in the Army after Pearl Harbor and served in the South Pacific. After his discharge he wrestled professionally for a time and started competing in bodybuilding competitions. He was the AAU's Mr. New Jersey in 1948, and the AAU's Mr. Middle Atlantic in 1950.
• • But California beckoned, so he and three buddies piled into a car in the early 1950s and headed for Santa Monica.
• • Friends also recalled him as extremely well-read, funny and philosophical.
• • He trained consistently and constantly, friends said. And he was still working out just months before he died
• • Along Muscle Beach, Koszewski's abdominal workouts became legendary. In his prime, he would do 500 Roman Chair sit-ups, usually in about 15 minutes.
• • "He was a simple guy in what he needed," Balik said. "He pared things down to his friends, the beach and the workout. Those things were the center of his life. The standing joke about Zabo is that he wouldn't go further inland than Lincoln Boulevard."
• • And like many of the other stars of Muscle Beach, Koszewski appeared in entertainer Mae West's nightclub act as one of her Muscle Beach Boys. He also appeared in some films including bit parts in "Spartacus" and "Planet of the Apes," as well as the Cheech and Chong vehicles "Nice Dreams" and "Things Are Tough All Over," where he was the stunt double for Tommy Chong.
• • He was competing in bodybuilding competitions well into his 40s.
• • Koszewski was the manager of Joe Gold's gym and the World Gym in Santa Monica and was working until a few months before he died.
• • He came down with pneumonia early this year and moved to Pennsylvania to be near his daughter, Nancy Pyle.
• • She survives him, as does another daughter, Candice Wallace of Sacramento, and three grandchildren.
— — Source: — —
• • "Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski dies at 84; bodybuilder renowned for his abs"
• • Byline: Jon Thurber | Obituary
• • Published in: The Los Angeles Times — — www.latimes.com
• • Published on: 1 May 2009
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Sun in Leo

MAE WEST was born on 17 August 1893 under the zodiac sign Leo (the Lion). Those who have their Sun in Leo are born between July 23rd to August 22nd.
• • Why not spend Mae's birthday with her? Go on the "Mae West Side Story" walking tour and visit three of her former homes in NYC. [See the Annual Mae West Gala posting below.]
• • Did Mae West read horoscopes? Yes. She would have related to an astrological forecast such as this one: "As a lion, you let out your roar, Walt Whitman's "barbaric yawp" that inspires and uplifts others. You too are untamed, untranslatable. You do not blend into the woodwork, but rather you take over and exude warmth, generosity, with a deep desire to understand others. You are energy, a force that dominates, and at its worst you can be destroyed by a lack of fulfillment.
• • The Sun is most radiant when it resides in Leo, bringing with it pageantry, ceremony, the creative spirit, and the artist. Both fixed and fiery, impulsive yet stubborn, Leo is wrapped in certainty and absolutes that need expression.
• • Leo-people frequently find release for their energy on the stage, enjoying the star role, or being the director or writer. In any case, the Leo is a visionary who goes with the flow in a receptive, never relaxed, way. Brilliant, cocky, defiant of authority, Hollywood is full of Leos who strongly emerge with the statement: "I am different! I am me!"
• • At their weakest, Leo-people can be too dogmatic, which can be augmented with attention to flexibility. Your sensitivity is a double-edged sword, for you can also be hurt easily. You like to be worshipped, though this may be unrealistic. Your partners must remember that you are the king (or queen). You enjoy being wined and dined, seduced — — you enjoy sex. Your expansive nature makes you broad-minded, faithful, and loving. This translates into being very ambitious, and you thrive on a career that involves creativity, emotion, and organization. Your natural sense of drama needs to be accentuated. You would be at home in the courtroom, operating a theater — — anywhere on stage and in-charge — — you make excellent employers. You excel at working with the public, in front of people — — an actor, orator, speaker, CEO would all be easy for you. No menial job would do for you. ...
• • Only 24 more days until Mae's birthday!
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West in lion-tamer garb • • 1933 • •
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Mae West: Jack Bonavita

MAE WEST could never forget the summer of 1904.
• • In May 1904, Dreamland opened in Coney Island. To the right of the Surf Avenue entrance stood a building that Mae West entered, holding the hand of her father "Battling Jack" West. Almost 11 years old, but looking younger because of her petite frame, little Mae was nearly as transformed by the experience as Alice was when plunging into Wonderland.
• • For years, Mae talked about, and thought about, the impression Bostock's lions left on her. The lead lion tamer was Captain Jack Bonavita. Born in Philadelphia in 1866, his muscular frame and courage - - not to mention his sleek military garb, knee-high boots, and sinister moustache - - made him popular with the ladies. Actress Marie Dressler, then working a concession at Coney Island, caught Bonavita's act as often as she could. And it was an unparalleled performance that the 38-year-old trainer gave with his 26 trained lions.

• • Mae's fixation on Jack Bonavita and Bostock's lions inspired her to do "I'm No Angel," in which she fulfilled a lifelong dream of being inside the cage with the king of beasts. Born under the sun sign Leo, Mae felt destined for this - - and she insisted on performing her own stunts. The film begins with Mae riding an elephant. How many other 41-year-old actresses are eager to take risks like that?
• • Dreamland burned to the ground on May 1911.
• • Frank Bostock died, after a bout with influenza, in October 1912.
• • From 1913 -1917 Jack Bonavita focused on filmmaking, working as a stunt man, a director, and an actor. His silent films always co-starred wild animals and some of the lion or jaguar tamers he had worked with at Bostock's Circus. A few flickers he starred in were: "Avenged by Lions" [1916] and "The Woman, the Lion, and the Man" [1915].
• • Mae's hero Jack Bonavita died in the month of March from a polar bear attack at age 51 on 19 March 1917 in Los Angeles, California.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • lion lady • • 1934
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Mae West: "Leo" Lady

Mae West: Born Under the Sign of Leo
Great comediennes, presidents, first ladies, entertainers as well as great dictators have been born under the zodiac sign LEO: [July 24 - - August 22]. Born in 1893 on August 17th, Mae West is a Leo.

LEO: Element: Fire
Parts of the body associated with Leo: the heart & the back
Keywords: "I will!" Courageous, lion-hearted, protective
The Leo is a gregarious, social, proud and powerful personality.

Famous Leos
Mae West
Don Henley * Napoleon * Herbert Hoover * Mussolini
Fidel Castro * Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
comedienne Lucille Ball * Count Basie * comedienne Gracie Allen
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