Mae West: Park Avenue Posse

During May 1927 MAE WEST returned to the Women's Workhouse on Welfare [now  Roosevelt] Island.

• • This time, however, she was the invited guest of a group of society women who were bent on social reform, and who wanted to inspect the prison and inmates for themselves. The actress gaily led the tour, trailing a string of newsmen and photographers.

• • Mae was even delighted to show these Park Avenue females the paddy wagon that she had ridden in after her arrest on 9 February 1927.

• • Sime Silverman [19 May 1873 — 23 September 1933] • • 

• • Born in Cortland, NY in the month of May — — on Monday, 19 May 1873 — — Simon J. Silverman yearned to be a reporter. In 1903 Daily America hired him to critique vaudeville acts. Armed with some experience, he snagged a reviewer's gig with The Telegraph. A variety artist had paid for a half-page ad in The Telegraph. Being honest instead of politically correct, Silverman panned the act as "N.G." (no good), which got him sacked. This experience motivated him to be a publisher. In 1905, he launched his own "horizontal" sheet, Variety, which offered coverage on live acts, vaude, circus dare-devils, and other forms of entertainment.

• • On Sunday, 19 May 1935 in The L.A. Times • •

• • Coverage of Frank Wallace's claims, that he was married to movie queen Mae West, appeared in The L.A. Times on 19 May 1935 along with Mae's firm denials and scoffing.

• • On Saturday, 19 May 1945 in Oakland, California • •

• • Starring Mae West, the play "Ring Only Twice" was staged in California in Oakland's Auditorium Theatre. There were two weekend performances on May 19th and 20th, 1945.

• • On Wednesday, 19 May 1948 • •

• • Mae West and Jim Timony boarded the Queen Mary on Saturday, 15 May 1948 at Southampton, England for a return voyage to New York City, arriving in their home port on Wednesday, 19 May 1948.

• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: “Don't cry for a man who's left you — — the next one may fall for your smile.”

• • Quote, Unquote • •

• • An article about "Belle of the Nineties" complimented Mae West.

• • Motion Picture Daily published this picture preview in 1934.

• • Hollywood, 19 August 1934 — With shock-proof punches but with haymakers nevertheless, Mae West uncorks a flashy, melodramatic entertainment of the Nineties, trippingly gay and gaudy for the most part but lingering in spots.

• • As with all the Mae West films, her showmanship personality dominates the scene. Her story assembles herself as the American Beauty, a headline actress; Prizefighter Roger Pryor, Villainous Promoter John Miljan and his girl friend, Katherine de Mille, sets them in pleasure-loving New Orleans and lets music, gambling, stolen jewels and prizefight knockout drops work its dire drama, making it clear at the same time that no man outsmarts Mae and gets away with it.

• • While the production is hardly a model of uplift drama, by the same token nothing offends the sensibilities in La West's cleanest film. Her performance, including singing and comedy, is the best she's done. Her wisecracks ripple along in laughing cadence with her curvacious walk and there is no reaching for gags or straining for effects.

• • Mae warbles four numbers, one, "Scandalizin' My Name," counterpointed with Negro spirituals being particularly effective to eye and ear.

• • Leo McCarey's direction has flavor and distinction.

• • Exploited smartly, "Belle of the Nineties" should do Golden West business even though repeat bookings may or may not be so abundant. ...

• • Source: Article: "Hollywood Preview: "Belle of the Nineties'' by Paramount written by Motion Picture Daily; printed on 19 August 1934

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2305th 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 • • 1927 • •
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Mae West: Jim Morris

Beefy biceps still define the muscular upper torso of Jim Morris, who played a gymnast in the MAE WEST vehicle "Sextette" [1978]. Thirty years later he is not letting his meat loaf — — even though he's 72.
• • Mae West also exercised and kept fit well into her seventies, prodded and monitored by her longtime lover Paul Novak, a former bodybuilder. If Mae were here to watch, she's probably tell Jim Morris, ex-Mr. America, that he's doin' real good.
• • According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, Jim Morris's Mr. America win in 1973 propelled him into Tinseltown's social turbine. "I was living by the Hollywood sign, I was known in the gay community, I was invited to all the A-list parties," he said. The former food company sales rep had a modest onscreen career, and even became a bodyguard for Elton John, but never really left the place he loves best: the gymnasium.
• • L.A. Times staffwriter Carla Hall writes: Mr. America of 1973 stood in a Marina del Rey gym of 2007, exhorting a new pupil to hold a little longer on the leg extension machine despite that torturous burning sensation in the quads. Curiously, Carla Hall adds, though he entered his final body building competition at age 61 — — he won — — and plans to stay a personal trainer as long as there's rent to pay, Jim Morris is now shy about the very thing that brought him fame: showing off his physique. ...
— — excerpt — —
• • Source: Los Angeles Times
• • Byline: Carla Hall
• • Published: 9 September 2007
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West posing with Jim Morris and the gang • • 1977 • •
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