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Cast in the successful Broadway hit "Sometime" [October 1918 — June 1919] as Mayme Dean, a vamp whose suitors always seem to decamp, MAE WEST was in the unusual position of putting across a few comically wistful laments. Since the musical was written during the war years, when red-blooded men were scarce in New York City, presumably the duly deprived females in the audience could relate to Mayme Dean's howl of frustration. 
• • Pleading for the attentions of "Any Kind of Man," Mae West sang these lyrics:
• • • I was born a scamp
• • • Meant to be a vamp
• • • If I'd had the chance I could have did
• • • Theda Bara tricks,
• • • Paralyzed the hicks
• • • Nothing could have stopped me but the lid
• • • But somehow my style has got a cramp
• • • Can't find a single soul to vamp
• • • All I want is just a little loving
• • • Just a little spooning and a squeeze . . .
• • • If the boob can walk, he don't have to talk!
• • • Send me any kind of man! ...
• • And here is the 26-year-old performer made up as a vamp, a la Theda Bara, after her appearance in Ned Wayburn's "Demitasse Revue" — — on the cover of a prestigious magazine, New York's Dramatic Mirror, 25 December 1919. Quite a front page.
• • Harrison Grey Fiske, born July 30th • •
• • Born in Westchester County (Harrison, New York) and educated at New York University, Harrison Grey Fiske [30 July 1861 — 2 September 1942] was an American theatrical manager and reporter. Fiske served as an editorial writer and dramatic critic for a number of publications such as the Jersey City-based Argus and The New York Star. In 1879 he became a contributor to the New York Dramatic Mirror, and by 1883 the proprietor.
• • The influence the Dramatic Mirror wielded was not inconsiderable. They praised Mae's performance as part of the Broadway line-up they reviewed — — and her vamp portrait even made the front cover on 25 December 1919, yes, thanks to some pressure exerted by Ned Wayburn who featured the 26-year-old brunette in his "Demitasse Revue" at the Capitol Theatre in New York City.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Goodness had nothing to do with it."
• • Quote, Unquote • •• • • • To Ms Mae West on Her 85th • • • •
• • • • What right have you?
• • • • Did you pat your platinum alps
• • • • When across the electric wire
• • • • The thrilling message came
• • • • That the pelvic muscles were tranquillized
• • • • The gluteal shivers forever fridged
• • • • That in fact (O lamentable extinction!)
• • • • Elvis had gone pop. ...
• • Source: Excerpt from a long birthday poem written to Mae West by John Jordan on 17 August 1977
• • 17 July 2004 — 17 July 2011 • •
• • In mid-July the Mae West Blog celebrates its seventh anniversary. Thank you to all those Mae-mavens who come up and see Mae every day.
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2007th 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 • • 1919 • •
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The final resting place of MAE WEST and her immediate family is Cypress Hills Cemetery, an expanse of 209 green acres with sweeping views of Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
• • A new book will give you an armchair tour of this noteworthy site that straddles two New York City boroughs. Fans often wonder: What is Mae doing in Queens County instead of reposing in her beloved Kings County? Cypress Hills Cemetery’s main entrance is within Brooklyn's borders, therefore, its post office address is in Brooklyn at 833 Jamaica Avenue. However, most of the cemetery proper is situated in adjoining Glendale in Queens — — where several of Mae's friends and one former boyfriend attended school — — and so that borough proudly claims it.
• • In addition to Mae West, other notables whose remains rest in Cypress Hills include the black musician Eubie Blake (who had worked with Mae) and Major League baseball sensation Jackie Robinson.
• • Learn more by reading Cypress Hills Cemetery by Stephen C. Duer and Allan B. Smith [Arcadia Publishing], a title just released in September 2010.
• • In September we remember . . . • •
• • Speaking about those who are no longer with us summons these names to mind on September 2nd.
• • Born in Westchester County (Harrison, New York) and educated at New York University, Harrison Grey Fiske [30 July 1861 — 2 September 1942] was an American theatrical manager and journalist. Fiske served as an editorial writer and dramatic critic for a number of publications such as the Jersey City-based Argus and The New York Star. In 1879 he became a contributor to the New York Dramatic Mirror, and by 1883 the proprietor.
• • The influence the Dramatic Mirror wielded was no small matter. They praised Mae's performance as part of the Broadway line-up they reviewed — — and her vamp portrait even made the front cover on 25 December 1919, thanks to some pressure exerted by Ned Wayburn who featured the 26-year-old brunette in his "Demitasse Revue" at the Capitol Theatre in New York City.
• • Born in Pennsylvania, Ned Wayburn [30 March 1874 — 2 September 1942] was a choreographer. His advertising campaigns pictured some of his most successful dance students — — and though Mae was not shown on those, Ned taught her to dance and cast her in shows, adding heft to her resume and stage career.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________
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As a child, MAE WEST heard fascinating recollections about New York City's Chinatown and the Bowery. Aware of the attractiveness of these lively locales, authors found creative ways to situate their narratives in these neighborhoods.
• • Charles H. Hoyt, for instance, wrote the immensely popular musical comedy "A Trip to Chinatown." The story focuses on a widow who connives and contrives to bring romance to several couples and herself in a big city restaurant [think of "Hello, Dolly!"].
• • Still capitalizing on the "Trip to Chinatown" craze, clever showmen reworked the play again and presented it under a new title: "A Winsome Widow."
• • Nineteen-year-old brunette Mae West was featured in the show "A Winsome Widow" as La Petite Daffy in 1912.
• • The musical was presented at the Moulin Rouge, then located at 1514-16 Broadway [West 44th Street], New York, NY. This showplace was demolished in 1935.
• • This extravaganza was produced by Flo Ziegfeld, and during its latest revision the Eastside musical was relocated to the West Coast — — to San Francisco's Chinatown.
• • As La Petite Daffy, Mae West won acclaim for her vivacity and sauciness. "Mae West assaults the welkin vigorously," applauded the New York Dramatic Mirror from their tony perch on West 42nd Street right opposite the New York Public Library.
• • Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. • • • • Born in Chicago, Illinois, Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. [1867 — 1932] was a Broadway impresario. He is best known for his series of theatrical revues, the Ziegfeld Follies [1907 — 1931], inspired by the Folies Bergères of Paris. Ziegfeld, who also built his own theatre on The Great White Way, earned a reputation as the "glorifier of the American girl."
• • At 65 years old, Flo Ziegfeld died in Hollywood, California during the month of July — — on 22 July 1932 — — from pleurisy related to a former lung infection. • • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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