Mae West: Money at Stake

Until 1937, Photoplay Magazine often wrote about MAE WEST. With the exception of Madame Sylvia’s fat-shaming cover story [“Is Mae West Skidding on the Curves”], articles were usually written to publicize a new movie by the Brooklyn bombshell (as well as other screen stars).
• • A more revealing article about movie stars, however, appeared in a Christmas issue. Here are three fascinating paragraphs from this piece.
• • Photoplay wrote: Hollywood is chuckling at the change of attitude toward working hours and speed in production certain stars get when their own money is tied up in a picture.
• • Photoplay wrote: When Bing Crosby threw a small fortune of his own into his new picture, "Pennies From Heaven," there was no limit to the hours he was willing to put in, no interviewer too insignificant to see — as long as he mentioned the picture, no overtime was unwelcomed.
• • Mae West as financier • •

• • Photoplay wrote: Now it has happened again in Mae West's latest picture, "Go West, Young Man."
• • Photoplay wrote: Her own money at stake, Mae West arrives on the set at eight instead of eleven, is made up, and is working by nine — — and has often completed a scene by nine fifteen.
• • "Now," said a certain producer who has listened to actor's complaints for years, "if we could only get all actors to invest in their own pictures, what a heavenly business this would be." . . .
• • Source: Photoplay [excerpt]; published in the issue dated for December 1936
• • On Monday, 25 June 1956 • •
• • "The Mae West Revue" would be opening soon in Atlantic City, Mae West told reporters on Monday, 25 June 1956. Mae’s sold-out night club act was now short on one well-built gladiator, Mickey Hargitay.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • In 1936, one of the Australian newspapers mentioned Dolly Lyons, a teenage girl who sent gifts to Mae West. Since studio policy banned objects from outsiders, Mae West suggested her fan might send something handmade. Dolly Lyons sent embroidered handkerchiefs and wrote twice a week. Dolly Lyons Dempsey eventually began a Mae West fan club.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “This is the greatest age for women.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Photoplay Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • But we can repeat one thing Mae West said — between scenes of new picture "Go West, Young Man."...
• • We asked Mae West if she thought movie stars should keep diaries. "Yes — if they keep them in code." …
• • Source: Photoplay;  published in the issue dated for November 1936
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,200 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4242nd 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 • • on a poster with farm animals in 1936 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West: Smart, Shrewd

“Is MAE WEST Skidding on the Curves?” Asks Madame Sylvia, Photoplay's Beauty Editor, in the next issue. And her answer offers a wealth of practical advice to all women — young and old, fat and lean. Whether or not you're concerned over your own appearance, you'll thoroughly enjoy Madame Sylvia's keen, clear-cut comments in the November 1936 issue. This is Part 9, the final segment.
• • Mae had a professional excuse for plumpness — — but • •
• • Sylvia wrote: Mae built up her popularity, partly, on her lush, rolling figure. But even she can go too far. She had a professional excuse for plumpness — — but she's worked it too hard. Is it getting out of control? Will she skid on her own curves? I hope not.
• • Sylvia wrote: Her forthcoming picture, "Go West Young Man," gives her a better vehicle than she's had in ages. She's smart, shrewd and clever in so many ways. Here's hoping she's been smart enough to do something about her appearance.
• • Sylvia wrote: And now you, my darlings, who haven't even the professional excuses for excess fat — here is mama's advice to you.  . . .  
• • “Is Mae West Skidding on the Curves?” has now been concluded with Part 9, the finale. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Madame Sylvia’s article (which continues with her tips for the readers about reducing) was paused at the paragraph where she stopped talking about movie queen Mae West.
• • Source: Photoplay; published in the issue dated for November 1936.
• • On Wednesday, 24 June 1970 • •
• • "Myra Breckinridge" at the Criterion Theatre (1514 Broadway) on Tuesday, 23 June 1970. The general release was on June 24th.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Harlem’s bars were meccas for the personalities and performers of the time, including Duke Ellington, Mae West, and Billie Holiday, and 133rd Street had the highest concentration of speakeasies during Prohibition than anywhere else in New York City.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  “I wrote the way I performed: boldly and loudly.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •

• • Photoplay Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • IRENE'S recent fashion showing at Bullock's Wilshire was a rendezvous for picture stars.  . . .
• • A novelty was white monkey fur used as a cape for a street dress. Irene is also using this in Mae West's new picture "Go West, Young Man."
• • It is new to use this particular off-white fur with clothes so simple as to be almost in the sports category.
• • Source: Photoplay;  published in the issue dated for November 1936
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,200 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4241st 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 • • with Lyle Talbot in 1936 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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