Mae West: Softer Beds

When MAE WEST left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” He explained: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case and she didn't ask for any special favors — — outside of the underwear."
• • By Mae's own account, they got along and often dined together. After supper, Henry Schleth often took the actress for a drive.  Let's hear Mae West describe him herself.  This is Part 2 of 2.
• • “Ten Days and $500, the Experiences of a Broadway Star in Jail” by Mae West • •
• • I dropped the subject and began to find fault with the place.
• • I asked to be sent back to Jefferson Market Court [sic].
• • Editor: Mae West meant to write “sent back to Jefferson Jail.”
• • The warden registered surprise at my request and said I would like this place better, because the air was healthier and his beds were so much softer. Well, he finally sold me on the idea of staying there. It was now around noon.

• • The warden assigned me to dusting the library. And I may add it wasn't much of a library as he had more than enough help in the laundry and in the mopping brigade and an oversupply of books. Furthermore, I would have been of little use to him in those duties, never having had any experience.
• • I guess the warden realized that.
• • He told the head matron to take me to lunch. Much to my surprise, it was in the warden's home. ...
• • Source: Liberty Magazine; published on Wednesday, 10 August 1927.
• • On Sunday, 23 September 1934 in The L.A. Times • •
• • An article argued for censorship of the type of motion picture made by Mae West and other bombshells. "Films Should Be Fit for Children to See" was printed in The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, 23 September 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Production on the motion picture "Myra Breckinridge" began in September — — on Tuesday, 23 September 1969 — — and Mae West (cast as Leticia Van Allen) received top billing.  Production concluded on 26 February 1970.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I did not change my way of life. I harmed no one. I had a philosophy, an idea of how to live fully and in my way.  I believed in it as fully and as strongly as I believed in being an American."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Associated Press mentioned Mae West.
• • “Greed Lures Visitors to Mae West's House” • •
• • Associated Press — The house in Van Nuys, Calif, is vacant these days, but according to Charlotte Gottenbos, who lives across the street, it has been receiving a steady stream of visitors. That's because the house once belonged to Mae West, but the visitors haven't been coming simply to pay homage to the legendary star who died last November at the age of 87.
• • Source: Daytona Beach Morning Journal;  published on Wednesday, 30 September 1981
• • 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 16th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,567th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with Warden Schleth in 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #7

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the B.S. than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 7 of 7 segments, the final excerpt.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West’s Plans • •
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: "You know, I was supposed to open in Chicago May 1 — — yes, in 'Sex’ — — it's all right to give ‘Sex’ out there,” Mae West explained. “We had a contract with A. H. Woods for his theatre, but of course he won't keep his theatre dark until we can get ready. And it would take about two weeks to get things in shape.”

• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: "But in a couple of weeks, we’ll start rehearsals of 'The Hussy.' That's a musical play,” added Mae West, “a play a la Banton, all sweet and pure and everything.”
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Mae West said, “And ‘The Drag' is going to be made into pictures. I won't say I’ll give all my profits, but I'll take 60 per cent, and start an institution or a scientific study or something for these prisoners. I thought it was all right to produce a play on that subject. These unfortunates are to be pitied. They're not understood, and the medical profession has done absolutely nothing for them."
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Friday, 2 June 1916 in Variety • •
• • On 2 June 1916, Variety printed a list of names who had volunteered to go to jail — — as guests of the Mutual Welfare League — — to entertain the inmates of Sing-Sing on Decoration Day. Mae West, age 22, was in that number.
• • Sources have said this is the occasion when she met Owney Madden, the bootlegger who quietly financed her Broadway plays.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West bought a hunk of a San Francisco chop suey parlor.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Listen, there’s some bad in all women. I work off my energies — — and I’ve got plenty of energy — — by being that sort of woman on the stage and screen. If I didn’t have that outlet, I might have been one of ’em myself. I couldn’t make any prophesies. I’ve always been interested in women like that. Maybe it was the theatre that saved me.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle discussed Mae West and her ride to the Workhouse in a “Prison Van.”
• • Mae West Goes to Workhouse in Van With Two Negresses • •
• • Mae West, star and co-author of "Sex," with two negresses and three white women as fellow-passengers, left Jefferson Market Women's Prison this morning in a prison van for the workhouse on Welfare Island, where she will serve out nine days of the 10-day-sentence imposed yesterday by General Sessions Judge George L. Donnellan imposed upon her for giving an obscene play. …
• • Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (on page 1); published on Wednesday, 20 April 1927 
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,487th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • onstage in 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #6

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the B.S. baloney than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 6 of 7 segments.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West’s “panty poem” to the Warden • •
• • • "I was angry when I met him,
• • • but the fault was all his own,
• • • for he gave me funny undies
• • • that scratched me to the bone.
• • • I said, "Look here, Warden,
• • • These things I cannot wear,
• • • Just feel them," and he answered,
• • • "But that's not on the square.
• • • Not that I don't want to,
• • • But, good God, I wouldn't dare!"

• • Mae West’s Plans • • . . . 
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Tuesday, 1 June 1999 • •
• • In VHS format, the 60-minute TV movie "Intimate Portrait: Mae West" [1999] was released on Tuesday, 1 June 1999.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West chose to be an independent woman who was comfortable with her sexuality. The political climate of the times, however, saw her open sexuality as pornographic.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “The inmates were very interesting.”
• • Mae West said: "I'm often asked why I like to play seductive females. It's because virtue has its own reward, but has no sale at the box office."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Associated Press discussed Mae West.
• • Mae West Begins Ten Day Term in Prison • •
• • Mae West, the star and the co-author of SEX, and two negresses and two white women as fellow passengers left Jefferson Market Women's Prison today for the workhouse on Welfare Island where she will serve nine days of the ten days sentence imposed yesterday for giving an obscene performance.
• • Clarence W. Morganstern, manager of the production, and James A. Timony are serving their ten day sentences at the Tombs. ...
• • Source: Associated Press, rpt in Frederick News Post (on page 1); published on Wednesday, 20 April 1927 
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,486th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • underwear in 1936 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #5

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the falsehoods than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 5 of 7 segments.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West Asked for Undies • •
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Mae West continued, "Later I worked in the library, dusting books and things, and that's where I got the idea of starting a library. I thought it wasn't much of a library they had. Of course, I’ll let a committee and the warden pick the books."

• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case," Warden Schleth [1879— 1963] interposed, "and she didn't ask for any special favors outside of the underwear."
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Here Miss West passed over a poem whose authorship she admitted. It read: “Mae West to Warden Schleth.”   
• • Mae West’s “panty poem” to the Warden • • . . .
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Tuesday, 29 May 1934 in New Zealand • •
• • A flattering article on Mae West's emergence as a new screen star was published in New Zealand in the Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser (on page 2) on Tuesday, 29 May 1934. Very nice to discover it.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • "I'm No Angel" did good box office. Mae West's stock rose even higher in Tinseltown after two successes in the States.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Anybody who needs a dirty play ought to call on Mr. Wallace for suggestions."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A NYC theatre critic discussed Mae West.
• • Mae West “Sex” Capade! • •
• • Frank Rich wrote: Politics turned a hit into a Jazz Age phenomenon. When New York’s rakish mayor, Jimmy Walker, took a Havana holiday in February 1927, the acting mayor, Joseph V. (“Holy Joe”) McKee, raided three risqué Broadway shows. Mae West was the prime target: Sex, then in the tenth month of its run, had been seen by 325,000 theatergoers. To the delight of the tabloid press, its twenty actors were hauled off to a police station in Hell’s Kitchen. The star spent the night in the Jefferson Market Women’s Prison. …
• • Source: New York Magazine; published in their 1 April 2012 issue
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,485th 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with the warden in April 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #4

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the foolish B.S. than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 4 of 7 segments.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West Feels Evangelical • •
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Mae West continued, "Several of those I met would respond to better treatment, I'm sure, and I'm arranging to get them positions when they come out in two or three months."

• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Right here both actress and warden admitted that the picture of Mae West mopping floors or working in the laundry on Welfare island was a myth.
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Mae West did little work beyond keeping her cell clean because there isn't enough work even for the six-months-prisoners.
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Mae West added, "I got up about 9, and I went to bed at 9," she went on, "but I didn't get to sleep till about 1. They could put me to bed, but they couldn't make me go to sleep.”
• • Mae West Asked for Undies • • . . .
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Tuesday, 28 May 1935 • •
• • The Straits Times in Singapore carried this headline: "Mae West Marriage Claim — —   Come Up and See My Lawyer Some Time."  Uh-oh. Trouble brewing.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker" [2008] was a novel. In one chapter, Michael Druxman, a longtime Hollywood PR agent, poked fun at the scandals the studio went mad to hush up and he has fictionalized gossip about Mae West and W.C. Fields. Amusing.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "You have to outfight everyone else to succeed."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A syndicated columnist interviewed Mae West.
• • Journalist George Lait wrote: On April 19, 1927, Mae West was sentenced to serve 10 days in the New York City work house on Welfare Island and to pay a $500 fine.
• • George Lait wrote: Warden’s Words. When Mae left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” . . .
• • Source: Syndicated content, rpt by Winona Republican Herald (Winona, MN); published on Tuesday, 12 December 1933
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,484th 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • newspaper headlines in April 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #3

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the moronic B.S. than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 3 of 7 segments.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West had enough material, she said • •

• • Mae West added: "I got enough material for two or three plays, oh, I got plenty. The other inmates interested me very much. I went around with a matron and talked to them. I studied some of their cases. What did they say? Oh, they said plenty. But I really think something should be done for them, and I may start to do something like that. These girls go out of here with about ten cents, and what are they going to do back in the city? There's nothing for them except to carry on as lawbreakers. That's why they come back here again and again."
• • Mae West Feels Evangelical • • . . .
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Friday, 27 May 2005 • •
• • Talented artist Tom Tierney released his wonderful "Mae West Paper Doll" book on Friday, 27 May 2005.  Dover published it. This is a must-have for Mae mavens..
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West rarely appeared on radio. When she did, she was there to promote one of her motion pictures.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I pity weak women, good or bad, but I can't like them. A woman should be strong either in her goodness or badness."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A syndicated columnist interviewed Mae West.
• • Mae West said this to journalist George Lait: “So we talked it over, Jim Timony and I, and we decided to finance the first stage play ourselves. Jim put up a large sum of money, my mother put in some of her savings, and I put up the rest [sic]. Thus we financed [“Sex”] our first play.” . . .
• • Source: Syndicated content, rpt by Winona Republican Herald (Winona, MN); published on Tuesday, 12 December 1933
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,483rd 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • the Women's Workhouse, 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Prison Diary #2

There are many myths about MAE WEST as a prisoner — — silliness such as she drove there “in a limousine” or she arrived “carrying roses” and “accompanied by her maid.” What better way to banish the useless B.S. than invite the Brooklyn bombshell to describe this experience in her own words. This is Part 2 of 7 segments.
• • Mae West, Sunbeam, Trips from Prison • •     
• • Island's Lady Bountiful Plans a Prison Library • • 
• • Mae West had a run in her silk stockings • •
• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: Only a run in the cream colored silk stockings betrayed that Mae West had been arrested, and all that sort of thing.
• • Kind Attendants • •

Mae and Warden shake hands

• • Elenore Kellogg wrote: "Like it here?" Mae West shook her head. "I was surprised. I expected it to be a great deal worse. No. I wasn't worried, for I never worry about anything. But I expected to see a lot of terrible people around cops and things who would keep reminding you that they were attendants and matrons. They treat them — — not only me — — but everybody as though they were patients rather than criminals. In fact, I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. And I don't feel as though I'd been here more than two days.”
• • Mae West had enough material for several stage plays, she said • • . . .
• • Note: Stage play “Courting Mae West” covers her two Prohibition Era trials in NYC. Producers can request a copy.
• • Source: N.Y. Daily News (New York, NY); published on Thursday, 28 April 1927.
• • On Saturday, 26 May 1934 • •
• • A week-long series, titled "Roads of Romance" by Harry Lee and Winfield Meggs (illustrated with charming pen and ink drawings of Mae West on page 31), was printed in The Winnipeg Evening Tribune on Saturday, 26 May 1934 (and 5 other dates).
• • On Sunday, 26 May 1935 • •
• • A Singapore paper announced the latest talkie starring Mae West.
• • The Straits Times wrote: The Girl with the Hour-glass figure makes every second count! 
• • Mae West in "Belle of the Nineties" — A Paramount Picture! At the Capitol Next Week.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West reads trade magazines and a few newspapers. She has no taste for fiction, because she says she can write her own. 
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Virtue has its own reward, but has no sale at the box office.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A syndicated columnist interviewed Mae West.
• • Mae West said this to journalist George Lait: “My play was lurid and shocking. Clerics and clergymen denounced it, critics assailed It. But people talked about it and what is more, they struggled to pay to see it and those who saw It told their friends and they came in droves," Mae reminisces.  . . .
• • Source: Syndicated content, rpt by Winona Republican Herald (Winona, MN); published on Tuesday, 12 December 1933 
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,482nd 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • photographed at the Women's Workhouse, 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Jailed for Sex

On Wednesday, 27 April 1927, shortly after daybreak, MAE WEST was released from her jail cell at the Women's Workhouse and wrote about the experience for Liberty Magazine.

• • How I Was Jailed for Sex  • •

• • 10 Days + $500 — The Experiences of a Broadway Star in Jail  • •

• • • • Mae West wrote:  The warden appeared to be sorry that I was leaving. He smiled wistfully. I thanked him for his kindness, and he said, "Come and see us again, sometime."

• • • • Mae West wrote: And I said, "Thanks, I will, but not via the Little Black Wagon."

• • • • Mae West wrote: He said, "Oh, I didn't mean that."

• • • • Mae West wrote:  I said, "Oh, I know, but I just wanted to make sure." The doors closed behind me. That's my story.

• • The week before, The N.Y. Daily News (one of her hometown papers) ran with this headline: "Common Nuisance Mae West Goes to Jail."

• • On Tuesday, 19 April 1927 Mae West had been sentenced to ten days in the Women's Workhouse (then located on Welfare Island) in the middle of the East River.

• • During the trial in March and early April — — presided over by Judge George Donnellan in General Sessions — — Mae West had argued in a written statement that her plays were a work of art. Her lawyers made a case that "Sex" was a morally instructive drama. Mae did not take the stand. At Jefferson Market Court, Justice Donnellan had suggested a guilty verdict would be fitting, before the jurors went off to deliberate. Six hours later, the verdict came in. At her sentencing, Mae West was fined $500 and given 10 days to repent at an off-shore detention center.  The Women's Workhouse on Welfare Island was self-described as a "place of quiet reformatory meditation for the vicious."

• • Warden Schleth shortened her sentence by two days for good behavior.

• • The play "Courting Mae West" dramatizes the trial, Mae's actions, and the melee in court when the guilty verdict is read aloud.

• • Liberty Magazine paid Mae  $1,000 to document her experiences. Some of her essay appears on this blog post. [Mae donated that $1,000 to the workhouse to establish a library for female inmates.]

• • Released from the lock-up on April 27th, Mae told the reporters — — who were waiting for her like Stage Door Johnnies — — that she had enough material for several plays now. Criminal street cred served the playwright well when she sat down to write "Diamond Lil" about a woman with a thing for bling, whose motto is, "My career is diamonds."

• • On Thursday, 27 April 1911 • •

• • Ah, the Folies Bergere.  Vaudeville mogul Jesse L. Lasky had built his Parisian-style cafe and cabaret on a Louis XIII scale. Located at 206-214 West 46th Street [opened on 27 April 1911], it was in a prime position within kissing distance of two well-known Broadway theatres: the Globe and the Gaiety.

• •  Eighteen-year-old brunette Mae West got her first big break when she was cast in the legitimate show "A la Broadway" at New York's Folies Bergere Theatre. Ned Wayburn (Mae's former dancing teacher), who was staging this, pulled her in. The lavish revue premiered on 22 September 1911 — — and lasted for eight performances.

• • On Saturday, 27 April 1935 in the L.A. Examiner • •

• • Columnist Louella Parsons mused in the weekend edition of the Los Angeles Examiner on Saturday, 27 April 1935, that maybe this long-lost husband story was a publicity gimmick dreamed up by Paramount Pictures as they released "Goin' to Town" starring Mae West.

• •  On Monday, 27 April 2009 • • 

• • The song "Mae West" by Uranium Daughters was released on Monday, 27 April 2009.  That's musician Julie Kantner on guitar and vocals on this "folk indie pop" track (02:30). Stop by her web site to listen to it.

• • On April 27 —  28, 2012 • •

• • Mae West carnival statues are available at an estate sale here: 10513 E. Valleyway, Greenacres, Washington in the Spokane Valley. Check it out on Friday before 3:00 PM because these collectibles could be gone before Saturday.

• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: "I enjoyed the courtroom as any other stage."  

• • Mae West said: "Suddenly there was a great uproar.  Someone had passed the word along that I was coming through. Faces appeared at the barred doors and they shouted wildly in greeting. 'Here comes Mae!' they yelled.  And 'How do you like the dress, Mae?' . . . The warden was forced to smile at the hubbub my appearance had caused."

• • Quote, Unquote • •

• •  An article Mae West was asked to write appeared in 1927.

• • Mae West wrote:  The court attendant leaned toward me and said, "Are you feeling all right, Miss West?"   I replied, "Quite all right."

• • Mae West explained:  He then escorted me to the side of the courtroom, through a cage effect, then out a door, where there were a few steps leading down to another door. That door was opened and two gentlemen who stood there said, "Right this way, Miss West."

• • Mae West continued: They were most courteous; they didn't want anything to happen to me before I got to Welfare Island, I guess. I was ushered into a waiting-room. There was a colored woman, with a gold badge, in charge.  . . .

• • Source: Article: "How I Was Jailed for Sex" written by Mae West  for Liberty Magazine; published  on 20 August 1927   

• • By the Numbers • •

• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2283rd 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 • •  April 1927 • •
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