Mae West: North to Alaska

The reviews of "Klondike Annie" starring MAE WEST — — as The Frisco Doll, Rose Carlton, Sister Annie Alden — — began appearing in the month of March. In Manhattan, there was an exclusive engagement at the Paramount Theatre, 1501 Broadway, N.Y., for the week of 11 March 1936.
• • The New York Times film critic wrote: Mae West's "Klondike Annie" really does not merit the agitation it has caused. Neither as healthily rowdy nor as vulgarly suggestive as many of her earlier pictures, it emerges on the Paramount's screen as a tiresome and rather stupid combination of lavender and old japes. Though we are prepared to debate the blue noses on Miss West's right to wave, we cannot accept undulation without wit or négligée without reason.
• • Miss West does not function any too well in a moral strait-jacket. . . • •
• • Frank Nugent, The Times' man on the aisle, continued: It is, of course, highly ironic that the more she attempts to please the censors the more she displeases them. In her new film she gets religion, turns evangelist of a sort and speaks generally as though she had just been spanked for saying something naughty and was trying not to offend again. Although it seems to put us on the wrong side of the fence, we must mention that Miss West does not function any too well in a moral strait-jacket. "Klondike Annie" finds her battering her ample curves against the padded walls of the clean films code on one side and her natural inclination for bawdy humor on the other. . . .
• • Mae West 75 Years Ago (March 1936) • •
• • FRANKFORT, Kentucky — — The New Majestic Theater is showing Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in "their funniest full-length riot," "The Bohemian Girl." The Grand presents Margaret Sullivan, James Stewart, and Ray Milland in "Next Time We Love," while Loew's Victory advertises Charlie Chaplin's (soon to be classic) "Modern Times," with Mae West's "Klondike Annie" coming soon. [Source: Evansville Courier & Press, 7 March 1936]
• • Esther Howard was Fanny in "Klondike Annie" • •
Mae West worked with several actresses who had begun bright careers on Broadway before switching to work in motion pictures during the Prohibition Era.
• • Born on 4 April 1892 in Helena, Montana, Esther Howard made her Broadway debut in 1917 at 25 years old in a play called "Eve's Daughter" — — which lasted but a few weeks on West 48th Street at the Playhouse Theatre. [Would it have occurred to Mae to portray Eve on Broadway, as she did on radio on 12 December 1937?] Esther Howard was a mainstay in Times Square productions and showy musicals for the next dozen years.
• • Switching from The Great White Way to Hollywood and Vine in 1931, the accomplished and versatile stage veteran was an expert at portraying blowsy old hags, man-hungry spinsters, and oversexed dowagers.
• • Cast in the Mae West vehicle "Klondike Annie" [1936], Esther Howard portrayed Fanny Radler.
• • Well suited for tense domestic dramas as well as farces and comedies, Esther Howard appeared in more than 100 movies in her 23-year film career.
• • A heart attack claimed Ms. Howard in the month of March — — on 8 March 1965 — — in Hollywood, California.
• • John Leipold wrote background music for "Klondike Annie" • •
• • Original music was written specially for "I'm No Angel" [1933], "Belle of the Nineties" [1934], "Goin' to Town" [1935], "Klondike Annie" [1936], and "The Heat's On" [1943] starring Mae West.
• • One of several uncredited collaborators was John Leipold, who worked on more than 250 projects in Hollywood from 1929 — 1953.
• • Born in Ulster County, New York on 26 February 1888, John Max Leipold composed stock music as well as the score for many cinema stand-outs. His work amplified big screen documentaries, family entertainment, dramas, comedies, Westerns, mysteries, patriotic military-themed pictures, the "Blondie" series, and more. He also created atmospheric music for "Go West, Young Lady" [1941] released by Columbia Pictures — — a title that sounds suspiciously familiar. Leopold did not work on "Go West, Young Man," however.
• • At age 82, John Leipold died in Dallas, Texas in the month of March — — on 8 March 1970.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with Philip Reed in 1936 • •
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Mae West: Staten Island

An Art Deco confection, where comedienne MAE WEST had inspired the thunderous applause that makes paint flake from the walls, is about to emerge from its Miss Havisham-like decay. The building had closed as a movie theater in 1977.
• • According to Staten Island Live's reportage, the once glorious Paramount Theater is set to reopen later this month on the North Shore — — the area closest to the ferry dock, which overlooks Manhattan — — as an entertainment hotspot, sparking hope that this historic building will pump new life into Stapleton’s commercial heart. Mae West, who was under contract to Paramount Pictures for several years, appeared in several of their theatres coast to coast.
• • Local reporter Jodi Lee Reifer writes: The Art Deco theater, with its figurative wall sculptures and Egyptian-style ceiling paintings, opened in 1930 at 560 Bay St. with 2,500 seats. In its 1940s heyday, the venue was the site of beauty and jitterbug contests and war bond auctions. Movie stars such as Mae West, Gary Cooper, Mary Pickford, etc. appeared on stage there, and it was one of only 10 theaters in the country that possessed two giant organs.
• • Jodi Lee Reifer adds: The venue will serve as a catering hall, restaurant and performance center, with bands, comics and plays potentially appearing on stage, said Hsiu Sung (David) Yang, who is opening the Paramount with partners Charley Zerrilli and Peter Lisi as part of SI Paramount Inc.
• • “It’s going to revitalize the neighborhood by bringing in some good acts,” Peter Lisi predicted. ...
• • If you enjoy learning about second acts and historic playhouses, you might find the article interesting. Follow the link to read on.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "Historic Paramount set to reopen"
• • BY: Jodi Lee Reifer
• • Published by: SILive.com — — www.silive.com
• • Published on: 2 January 2010
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • 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: Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall directed "Goin' to Town" [1935], starring MAE WEST. We are thinking of him on his January birthday.
• • Born in Boston on 11 January 1894, Alexander Hall made his stage debut at 4 years old in 1898. By 1914, Hall was working in silent films as an actor.
• • Leaving the motion picture sector to serve in the American Army in World War I, Hall returned from military service in 1917 and re-entered the business — — except he had then decided to become an editor and assistant director.
• • He made his directorial debut in 1932, specializing in comedies. In Hollywood, Hall turned out a number of sophisticated, light-hearted movies.
• • The director lived to be 74. On 30 July 1968, Alexander Hall died in San Francisco, having suffered a stroke.
• • "Goin' to Town" re-cap — —
• • After an exclusive engagement at their own theatres, Paramount released this title to hundreds of American movie houses on 17 May 1935. However, no amount of fanfare could have persuaded the critics of its merits.
• • According to the 1935 review published in Variety, this motion picture was "Mae West's poorest." Film critic Abel predicted: Exhibs and exploiteers will have to go to town to sell "Goin' to Town." Uh-oh.
• • Paramount production and release. Stars Mae West. Directed by Alexander Hall. Produced by William LeBaron. Original by Marion Morgan and George B. Dowell; screenplay and dialog. Miss West. Songs, Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal; camera, Karl Struss. At the Paramount N.Y. — — week of 10 May 1935. Running time, 75 mins.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Goin' to Town" • • 1935 • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: 1501 Broadway

MAE WEST and Paramount Pictures — — for awhile, it was a happy marriage, and the actress's latest release would always be booked at the Paramount Theatres in her hometown: Brooklyn and Manhattan.
• • Built in 1926 — — right in the heart of Times Square — — was the 40-story Paramount Building [at 1501 Broadway], originally a home to the late, great Paramount Theater and also the eastern headquarters of the production company that was to become Paramount Pictures.
• • Like the movie giant it wanted to be, the structure commands attention, spanning an entire city block on Broadway between West 43rd and West 44th Streets. The architects were Cornelius W. Rapp and George Leslie Rapp.
• • On 19 November 1926, the eight-story Paramount Theatre had its star-dusted opening with an elaborate live show staged by John Murray Anderson, and the motion picture God Gave Me Twenty Cents starring Lya de Putti.
• • All of Mae West's motion pictures for Paramount opened with exclusive engagements promoted with great fanfare. The Brooklyn bombshell once caused a frenzy by arriving at 1501 Broadway with an escort of handsome New York City policemen on motorcycles.
• • The house could seat 3664 ticket-holders.
• • The lobby of the [now demolished] Paramount Theatre was modeled after the Paris Opera House with white marble columns, balustrades, and an opening arms grand staircase. Inside the auditorium, the drapes were red velvet and the rugs were a similar red. The theater had a grand organ as well as an orchestra pit that rose up to the stage level. The ceilings were fresco and gilt. The railings were brass, the seats plush. There were Greek statues and busts in wall niches. The rest rooms and waiting rooms were as impressive as the facilities at Radio City or the Roxy. The main lobby was decorated with an enormous crystal chandelier.
• • Over the years, many of the top stars performed there, including Sinatra and dozens of the era's luminaries.
• • A who's who of entertainers performed or headlined here from Amos and Andy, Fred Astaire, Jack Benny, Ray Bolger, Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier, Gary Cooper, Eddie Cantor, Ruth Etting, Betty Hutton, Bob Hope, George Jessel, Dorothy Lamour, Gertrude Lawrence, Bea Lillie, Ethel Merman, Mary Pickford, Ginger Rogers and Buddy Rogers, Gloria Swanson, Red Skelton, Dinah Shore, Rudy Vallee, etc.
• • Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had many sold-out shows here.
• • Frank Sinatra was one of many who began an illustrious career at The Paramount.
• • Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, and Paul Whiteman all led their bands there.
• • After years of showing movies and shows, after 1964 the theater was gutted to make way for office and retail space.
• • Today, the Paramount Building is occupied in part by the Times Square location of the Hard Rock Cafe.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
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Mae West: August 1962

During the 1930s, MAE WEST's motion pictures had exclusive engagements at both the New York Paramount and the Brooklyn Paramount [385 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201] near DeKalb Avenue.
• • The Brooklyn Eagle reminds us of this: During its heyday, up to 4,000 patrons at a time sat to watch movies accompanied by “colossal” stage shows at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre.
• • The last show on August 22,1962 attracted around 300 patrons to see a John Wayne feature.
• • 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.
• • Basketball fans now sit to watch Long Island University games in the former movie palace auditorium.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: On This Day in History: August 22 — — Paramount’s Last Picture Show
• • By Brooklyn Eagle — — www.brooklyneagle.com/
• • Published online: 22 August 2008
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Brooklyn Paramount • • circa 1932 • •
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Mae West: At the Paramount

MAE WEST returns to the Brooklyn Paramount on Friday 25 April 2008.
• • An all-day conference "Vaudeville at the Paramount" will be presented at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus and offer rare film clips along with panels including radio legend Joe Franklin, critic Dave Kehr and screenwriter Norman Steinberg, and a reception.
• • Once a prestigious Brooklyn landmark, the historic Paramount Theatre enjoyed a heyday during the Prohibition Era.
• • The wide-ranging cultural impact of vaudeville and the historic Brooklyn Paramount Theatre in the 1920s and 30s will be the topic of a special conference at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus on Friday, April 25, 2008. Featuring panels with writers, critics, and researchers along with rare film clips, a musical performance and reception, the event is free and open to the public.
• • The conference, entitled Vaudeville at the Brooklyn Paramount, will recall the history of the famed Paramount theatre — — now part of the Brooklyn Campus — — and explore the vaudeville variety art form and its influence on American popular culture in the twentieth century. More than ten scheduled speakers will include Dave Kehr, film critic for The New York Times; Norman Steinberg, writer of Blazing Saddles now teaching screenwriting at the Brooklyn Campus; and Joe Franklin, talk show icon and host of the weekly Memory Lane program on WOR.
• • Popularized in venues throughout the United States as accessible entertainment for the whole family, vaudeville performances included acts from the worlds of music, acrobatics, dance, comedy, trained animals and magic. When the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre opened in 1928 as a destination for viewing the new talkie films, it included vaudeville with the cinema offerings, drawing performers such as MAE WEST, Ginger Rogers, Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Ethel Merman. Although vaudeville was eclipsed by radio, film and television, it left an indelible influence on formats for diverse and democratic nightlife.
• • "Vaudeville at the Brooklyn Paramount" will take place in the Spike Lee Screening Room, LLC 122, on the Brooklyn Campus, located near Flatbush and DeKalb avenues in downtown Brooklyn, on Friday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A reception with a performance by the Sol Yaged Quartet will begin at 5 p.m. The event is open and free to the public.
• • Info: contact Michael Hittman, professor of anthropology at (718) 488-1185; or Joseph Dorinson, professor of history, at (718) 488-1191.
• • 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: Eddie Cantor

The year was 1927. MAE WEST went to see an old vaudeville pal - - the comedian EDDIE CANTOR - - when he was 35 years old and starring on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1927. The hit opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 16 August 1927 and ran for 167 performances. By the time the show shuttered on 7 January 1927, it had also made the newcomer Ruth Etting a star.
• • Claire Luce (who worked for Texas Guinan) was also in this revue.
• • Later that year, on 4 November 1927 MAE WEST would debut in her new play "The Wicked Age" at Daly's 63rd Street Theatre . . . returning to the scene of the crime, as it were.

• • Born on the Lower Eastside of New York on 31 January 1892, Eddie Cantor was an American comedian, singer, actor, songwriter, and one of the most popular entertainers in the USA in the early and middle 20th century. He was known to Broadway, radio, and early television audiences as "Banjo Eyes" and "the Apostle of Pep." Cantor was regarded by millions as "a member of the family" because of his intimate radio shows that involved anecdotes and antics about his wife Ida and their five daughters.
• • Stages where MAE WEST and Eddie Cantor both performed in NYC include the Paramount (the one in Manhattan as well as the Brooklyn venue), The Palace, and many places in Coney Island.
• • On 20 January 1934, Eddie Cantor was the M.C. during a stage show at the Paramount Theatre (Broadway and West 43rd Street). In one number, he appeared in a Mae West costume. Yes, this actually happened onstage, so try to imagine it.
• • On 22 January 1934, both Mae West and Eddie Cantor entertained at the New Amsterdam Theatre - - at the 52nd annual benefit for the Actors' Fund.
• • For some time, Eddie Cantor paired with Mae West's idol: Bert Williams. Both vaudevillians performed in blackface, Eddie playing Bert Williams's son.
• • Eddie Cantor died in October [10 October 1964]. He is being remembered this month as a hard-working performer, a humanitarian, a native New Yorker, and an old trouper whose artistry Mae West enjoyed.
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Mae West
• • Illustration: Eddie Cantor film • • 1953 • •
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Mae West.