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News men had various opinions about MAE WEST, often comparing her to the leading screen queens of her era (and some divas were not as well-rounded as the Brooklyn blonde).
• • Douglas Gilbert, writing in The New York World-Telegram in 1933, thought Mae West symbolized a revolt against the "modern" woman of emancipated ideas and emaciated shape who had dominated the twenties:
• • • • "No argument can dislodge her present position. She has given the gate to those proud beauties who once ruled our screen. The great Garbo [1905 — 1990] today is a trifle passé. 'Legs' Dietrich [1901 — 1992], as she is dubbed in the studios, shakes her slender limbs to apathetic houses. . . . Against Mae's ample bosom figuratively rest the modish aspirations of our girls. Her well-rounded arms encircle a nation's desire for escape from a synthetic life to one of substance and color." . . .
• • According to his grandson, Douglas Gilbert died in late January 1948 [at age 52], "appropriately at the bar in the Gotham Hotel" then located on Fifth Avenue at 55th Street.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC
Mae West.
When MAE WEST was writing her autobiography, she did not reveal much about her parents' carefully cultivated underworld connections. 
• • In truth, both Matilda and Jack West had on-gong dealings with gangsters, fixers, con men, murderers, bootleggers, thugs, and ward heelers — — shady associates who could also be helpful in furthering "Baby Mae's" vaudeville career. In 1907, when Hal Clarendon accepted Mae into his Brooklyn stock company [incorporated by 15 April 1907 when Mae was 13 years old], it was because he "respected Mae's connections" to a handsome mobster who would be brutally gunned down by a crime boss five years later on West 43rd Street (just east of Broadway).
• • Did Mae West's recollections surf the names of racketeers and other rough spots when she and friends were taking tea on North Rossmore? Did the actress reveal how much of her Bowery drama "Diamond Lil" [filmed as "She Done Him Wrong"] was inspired by the jailbirds and career criminals her Dad clubbed around with?
• • The blue-eyed writer-actress was already comfortable with convicts when she moved into shoot-out central, the mob-controlled hotel on West 54th Street where she wrote the play in 1927. Persistent efforts to kill Legs Diamond were afoot when Mae was in residence, a few floors above Texas Guinan's speakeasy in the cellar.
• • On August 16th you can walk in the footsteps of two of the 1920s "gaudy gals" — — Texas Guinan and Mae West — — and win special prizes. Discover the shady secrets as well as the glamourous highlights shared by two energetic risk-takers who partied with gin, guns, gangsters, and sinners when they weren't busy onstage.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West's pal Texas Guinan • • December 1928 • •
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Mae West.
When MAE WEST was writing the screenplay for "I'm No Angel," she wove a tiny strand of her own bio into the playful narrative — — including a reference to her shimmy, her belief in the occult, her love of animals, and her birthday in August. 
• • "I'm No Angel" Cast • •
• • Mae West as Tira
• • Cary Grant as Jack Clayton
• • Gregory Ratoff as Benny Pinkowitz
• • Edward Arnold as Big Bill Barton
• • Mae-centered morsels • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • Tira, who performs in a circus sideshow, is famous for her hootchie-cootchie style — — a gal who discovered you don't have to have feet to dance. Tira goes to the resident gypsy to have her fortune told.
• • Rajah [played by Nigel de Brulier], the astrologer reads her horoscope.
• • Rajah: You were born in August.
• • Tira: Yeah, one of the hot months.
• • Rajah: It was on the 17th under the sign of Leo, the Lion.
• • Tira: Aw, King of the Beasts, huh.
• • Tira [pronounced TY-rah] is warned to be careful that night — — because she could be unlucky. Tira tells him that she'd like to know her future (because she knows all about her past).
• • Rajah: Ah, you have a wonderful future. I see a man in your life.
• • Tira: What — — only one?
• • Rajah: But this is one very particular man. He is very wealthy, enormously wealthy.
• • Tira: ... What does he look like?
• • Rajah: I see he has brown eyes. In fact, I see two men... two different men. In the near future, I see a change. ... I see a change of position.
• • Tira: Sitting or reclining? . . .
• • Rajah: The horoscope — — keep this where you may consult it frequently.
• • Tira: All right, I'll take it to bed with me.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
— — excerpt from "I'm No Angel" written by Mae West — —
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • 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.
Years before she was nicknamed "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas," the 35-year-old vocalist was headlining with her Kings of Syncopation at the 44th Street Theatre (216 West 44th Street, New York, NY) at a holiday concert in 1919 that also featured a 26-year-old MAE WEST.
• • Sophie Tucker [13 January 1884 — 9 February 1966] was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first third of the 20th century. Almost ten years older than Mae and not as controversial when she launched her career, Sophie Tucker had an ethnic appeal which upped her forward momentum and she was, in fact, a much bigger draw in vaudeville than the Brooklyn bombshell. Sophie Tucker made her first appearance in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1909, but did not last long there — — because Florenz Ziegfeld's other female stars soon refused to share the spotlight with the immensely popular singing comedienne.
• • Her towering stage persona made a big impression on Mae, still trying to find her footing and learning from those who had. Did they chat backstage, these two variety artists who were determined not to be overshadowed by the male entertainers? Or was it a chilly night behind the red velvet curtain at this 1465 -seat auditorium?
• • Operated by the Shuberts, the 44th Street Theatre was decorated in 18th Century Georgian style and above the main auditorium was a large enclosed roof theatre. In the basement, the original rathskeller became the "Little Club" during Prohibition and the Stage Door Canteen during World War II.
• • If you were not fortunate enough to be in the audience in 1919 when ticket-holders were applauding Sophie Tucker, the top-billed act, and appreciating Mae West, then you must pay close attention to this. Ninety years later, the two have reunited. Reviewers have been going crazy over this talented twosome and a splashy Las Vegas style evening has been planned for late October.
• • Make tracks to the Monticello Casino and Raceway [204 Route 17B, Monticello, NY] for the 21 October 2009 "GAUDY GIRLS" extravaganza, which kicks off at 1:00 AM. Reservations: 945-794-4100. You will want to catch this warm-hearted stage show.
• • Backstage with the Gorgeous, Talented, Bawdy GAUDY GIRLS • •
• • Anne Marie Finnie — Mae West • •
• • Anne Marie has been working as a professional actress for over 20 years. Some of her favorite roles have been in Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, Sound of Music and A Little Night Music. Nine years ago, Anne Marie was cast in the starring role as Mae West in a professional production on Long Island. Over 150 "Mae West" shows later, she is still in demand all over the tri-state area.
• • Maggie Worsdale — Sophie Tucker • •
• • Maggie has been a professional cabaret entertainer for the past 20 years and has appeared with Bob Hope, George Burns, Mark Russell, and has sung with Les Brown and His Band of Renown.
• • On August 16th you can walk in the footsteps of two of the 1920s "gaudy gals" — — Texas Guinan and Mae West — — and win a special prize donated by those lovable GAUDY GIRLS. See below.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Join us for a lively afternoon focused on Mae West & Texas Guinan!
• • On 16 August 2009, come up and enjoy an a-MAE-zing experience — — a walking tour of historical sights in the Times Square area. This year the Annual Mae West Birthday Tour also commemorates speakeasy hostess Texas Guinan, the generous friend who backed all of Mae’s Broadway shows during the 1920s.
• • During April 1929, the Feds padlocked the CIub Intime at the Hotel Harding, where Texas Guinan was the principal attraction. On August 16th, attendees will visit this speakeasy, which is doing brisk business these days.
• • Walking Tour: "Gaudy Girls on The Gay White Way: Mae West & Texas Guinan in the Theatre District"
• • When: 4:00 PM on Sunday — — 16 August 2008 — — rain or shine
• • Meet: Shubert Alley, 44th Street, West of Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• • Price: $10 [this walking tour lasts about 90 minutes]
• • Subway: N or R [BMT] train to West 42nd Street; 1 [IRT] train to Times Square
• • Attire: why not wear a Mae West-inspired hat?• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Gaudy Girls" Show in October 2009 • •
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Mae West.
In many ways Adeline Leitzbach was the ideal ghostwriter for MAE WEST — — hard-working, experienced, flexible, self-effacing, and willing to shed her byline.
• • Sweet Adeline comes to mind in August because on 10 August 1918 the scriptwriter left Fox Films.
• • Adeline M. Leitzbach • •
• • A female author of German descent, who was often hired to collaborate on silent movie scripts as well as Broadway plays, Adeline was born in 1887 and raised in Manhattan, living in genteel circumstances in Greenwich Village — — until her father died.
• • In 1922, Mae had first contacted this hired pen, who helped her put together a full-length, three act play: "The Hussy."
• • During the World War I era, the unmarried woman was living in the Bronx with her widowed mother Mrs. Maximilian Leitzbach, and had many high-profile projects to her name. When she was 30 years old, Adeline Leitzbach had co-written the Broadway play "Success," staged at the Harris Theatre [254 West 42nd Street] from January — March 1918.
• • Building some momentum and increasing her visibility, Adeline kept busy supporting herself and her mother. Her credit was appearing frequently on screenplays for the silent cinema, too. In 1918, several of her projects made it to the big screen: "The Liar," "Her Price," "The Heart of Romance," and "Stolen Honor." Interestingly, one silent film she had scripted — — "Diamonds and Pearls" [1917] — — featured actor Curtis Cooksey in the role of Jack Harrington. Eleven years later, Cooksey would be on stage opposite Mae in "Diamond Lil" in the plum role of Captain Cummings.
• • Miss Leitzbach was also tapped to adapt a woman's novel "Wife in Name Only" for the screen; it was filmed as "Counterfeit Love" [1923] by Murray W. Garsson Productions.
• • Not long after, Mae West, age 32, and Adeline M. Leitzbach, age 38, would be revising the manuscript that would become "Sex" and would debut in April 1926 in the legit. The authorship would be attributed to "Jane Mast" (wink wink).• • 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.
During the month of March 1924, MAE WEST was trouping through the southwest, where she had accepted a four-week contract to perform on the Interstate Vaudeville Circuit. Covering Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, this was one of variety's least desirable routes and a far cry from the bath of light at Times Square.
• • Perhaps a motion picture promotional tour during the 1930s took her back to Tulsa — — because the new management of a local inn is displaying her portrait, claiming Mae slept there. Since they did not furnish gritty specifics such as which of the 600 rooms she booked, which floor she breezed through, or what year, you'll need to call them up and ask: T: 918-582-6296. [Do let us know!] • • Eighty-four years ago architect George Winkler designed the Mayo Hotel [at 115 W. Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK 74103], which went up in 1925, sparing no expense on the very cool marble and terrazzo flooring.
• • Unfortunately, the venue's guests since 1981 were mostly ghosts. An extensive renovation is under way, apparently, and new residents will start hanging their hats there by August 22nd. By Hallowe'en they ought to be in good spirits.
• • According to Macy Snyder, sales manager at the Mayo, workers are polishing the finials, spit-shining the doorknobs, and completing the $40 million renovation, equipping the landmark with 102 hotel rooms, 76 apartments, seven meeting rooms, and a new restaurant space. In 1980 the (then forlorn) Mayo was added to The National Register of Historic Places.
• • Tulsa World's Robert Evatt interviewed Ms. Snyder recently. Macy Snyder told him: "Those rooms will be unique as well because more than 100 different large photos of historic Tulsa and the Mayo's history, from famous guests to its recent reconstruction, will be scattered throughout the rooms and the hallways. ..."
• • The Mayo Hotel boasts of these famous connections, noted Robert Evatt: Oilman J. Paul Getty lived at the Mayo when he was a Tulsan. Mae West, John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and Babe Ruth are among its famous guests. Richard Nixon once spoke there. ...
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "A milestone for the Mayo"
• • Byline: Robert Evatt, Tulsa World Staff Writer | Research by Hilary Pittman
• • Published in: Tulsa World — — http://www.tulsaworld.com/
• • Published on: 6 August 2009
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • 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.
Paramount came close to the edge of bankruptcy but was saved by its having signed MAE WEST, whose first two pics, "I'm No Angel" and "She Done Him Wrong," did boffo biz at the box office, writes Robert Hofler [Variety, Friday, 7 August 2009]. He adds, "Had she signed with Warners or another studio, Paramount Pictures today might be a mere footnote in some showbiz-history tome."
• • To relish the rest of his article — — "Showbiz not always recession proof: Film and theater can have their ups, downs" — — which is immensely readable despite the pathetic, low-cal title, tip-toe over to Variety, where they are monogramming their thinking caps.
• • Meanwhile, guess which man Mae might be thinking of when the calendar turns to August 8th?
• • Born on the 8th of August — — Dayton Lummis and "Holy" Joe • •
• • Born in New Jersey on 8 August 1903 was Dayton Lummis, an American actor of film and television who specialized in the genre of anthology and western series, often playing authority figures. He went to the West Coast and studied theatre at the Martha Oatman School, Los Angeles. His first professional engagement, at age 24, was with the Russell Stock Company, of Redlands, California.
• • Dayton Lummis remained a regional actor until his Broadway bow in 1943 opposite Mae West in "Catherine Was Great," where he was cast in the role of Chechkofski.
• • He died in Santa Monica on 23 March 1988.
• • When New York City's Mayor Jimmy Walker went out-of-town briefly, he left Joseph V. McKee in charge — — and his deputy's first act was to have three actresses arrested on 9 February 1927 and the third Broadway headliner was Mae West. The court system had a new name for her: "common nuisance."
• • The raid and arrest in 1927 are dramatized in the play "Courting Mae West."
• • Bronx-born Roman Catholic Joseph V. McKee, Sr. [8 August 1889 — 28 January 1956] was originally a teacher at DeWitt Clinton High School and a lecturer in Latin and Greek at Fordham University. Eventually, he became a politically active Democrat.
• • 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.
Lily Birnbaum once made sensational hats for MAE WEST. 
• • During the 1920s, this talented native New Yorker was head milliner for the Shubert Brothers, and kept busy designing show-stopping creations for their Broadway hits.
• • Born in 1895, Lily was raised amid hatboxes, hatpins, ostrich plumes, osprey feathers, glove boxes, and genteel feminine adornment. After she wed attorney Benjamin A. Javits, she focused on raising a family. Still tethered to the thrills of showbiz, she was one of the founders of the Palm Beach Film Festival. When she was in her sixties, she took up painting and had several exhibitions in Palm Beach and NYC galleries.
• • Following in her footsteps, one of her grandsons was so inspired by her colorful backstage stories that he became a milliner. Lily served for years as his consultant.
• • Lily Birnbaum Javits died at age 91 during the month of August — — on Thursday, 7 August 1986 — — after a series of strokes, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1918 • •
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Mae West.
It is doubtful that Clyde Fitch had heard of MAE WEST, who was but 16 years old when the playwright passed on. But there's a point to be made, so show some patience.
• • Born in Elmira, New York, Clyde Fitch [2 May 1865 – 4 September 1909] was an American dramatist with a brilliant career.
• • Clyde Fitch wrote over 60 plays — — 36 of them original — — which varied from social comedies and farces to melodrama and historical dramas.
• • The Clyde Fitch Report's editor is Leonard Jacobs, who set forth down his CFR editorial path in 2006. Joining the blogosphere, Jacobs said he wished "to create a platform in which I could opine on or consider those topics for which I lacked a place in my professional life."
• • Early in the month of August, the Clyde Fitch Report very nicely encouraged their readers to come out and take the Mae West and Texas Guinan tour. In turn, we would like to take you by the elbow and steer you into the Clyde Fitch embrace — — www.clydefitchreport.com — — and tell 'em Mae sent ya.• • 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.
Emanuel Cohen believed in giving MAE WEST more artistic freedom. She, of course, agreed. 
• • Born in Hartford, Connecticut during the month of August — — on 5 August 1892 — — Emanuel Cohen [1892 — 1977] finished high school in the Constitution State, then set out for Manhattan where he graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1912.
• • Ambitious and eager to make his way in the world, Cohen smoothly skated from journalism work to a prime editorial position with Pathe News, eventually winding up at the helm of Pathe’s popular newsreel division. In 1926 Cohen was lured away to Paramount Pictures, where he headed their very active short subjects department.
• • A few years later, Paramount — — deep in the red from a streak of money-losing flops — — promoted Cohen, putting him in charge of production for their motion pictures. Clever Cohen had the skill to turn the company around; by 1935, the studio was once more profitable. Ironically, Paramount then fired this rainmaker. Go figure.
• • Emanuel Cohen formed his own production company in partnership with the studio, and his unit turned out several Mae West films, as well as Bing Crosby musicals.
• • Personal Appearance • • • • One project was "Goin' to Town" [released on 25 April 1935], Emanuel Cohen Productions operating as Major Pictures Corp.
• • Dissatisfied with Paramount, during February 1935 Mae West donned an odd black wig and inconspicuously boarded a train for Chicago. The movie star quietly attended a play with Cohen, "Personal Appearance," by then a Broadway road company show. They discussed creating a cinema version of this lampoon of the film industry. Ever since Hollywood had yearned to turn the hit comedy into a motion picture, Will Hays had stifled it, claiming that this tale of egotistical screen queen Mavis Arden would constitute "a libel on the industry and its employees." The idea of poking fun at Tinseltown, just when the moguls had been freezing Mae out of opportunities, must have seemed enormously appealing. Emanuel Cohen soon announced that Mae West was firing up a new sparkler for his fledgling company.
• • Another title they worked on together was "Every Day's a Holiday" [released on 18 December 1937], Emanuel Cohen Productions operating as Major Pictures Corp.
• • A full-scale replica of Rector's, one of Mae's favorite NYC dining halls, was used for "Every Day's a Holiday," which saw the Brooklyn blonde back in 1890s garb in turn-of-the-century New York.• • Peaches O'Day fared no better than Mavis Arden with the ticket-holders, unfortunately.
• • With the release of "Every Day's A Holiday," Paramount Pictures and Mae West parted company. Time Magazine announced it this way: She was signed under contract to Producer Emanuel Cohen, whose production Paramount has sponsored. Last week Producer Cohen and Adolph Zukor, Paramount head, climaxed a four-year feud by calling off their deal. What bothered Paramount more than Mae West's loss was that on Producer Cohen's personal payroll is Crooner Bing Crosby. [Source: Time Magazine — — Monday, 24 January 1938]
• • By 1938, Cohen's production agreement was kaput. Needing a job during the Great Depression, he joined the Army and found himself stationed back in New York City.
• • Emanuel Cohen died in New York City on 9 September 1977, age 85. • • An enthusiastic group will gather in the shadow of the old Rector's (and examine vintage photos of the once world-famous eatery) on 16 August 2009 for a walking tour — — "Gaudy Girls on The Gay White Way: Mae West & Texas Guinan in the Theatre District" — — and we hope to see you, too, at 4 o'clock that Sunday.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with George Rector • •
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Mae West.
The censors made the summer of 1934 unforgettably hot and uncomfortable for MAE WEST. Famously funny in her blockbuster Pre-Code motion picture comedies, Mae found her one-liners burnt to a crisp in a Will Hayes moment. The frisky screenplay that was conceived as "It Ain't No Sin" was considerably more scrubbed when it was delivered by August 1934 as a more demure "Belle of the Nineties" [released on 21 September 1934]. Thanks to the Code, Broadway's darling had been denatured. 
• • BELLE OF THE NINETIES, adapted from a story by Mae West; music and lyrics by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow; directed by Leo McCarey; a Paramount production. At the Paramount.
• • Nevertheless, The New York Times movie critic Andre Sennwald seemed to like it. Sennwald wrote: Amid the lithographic Police Gazette settings of the Sensation House in New Orleans, Ruby Carter (in Miss West's classic person) rules the sporting world with queenly insolence. As she herself sagely observes, "It is better to be looked over than to be overlooked," and her serpentine gowns, hayloft coiffure and hour-glass figure insure her against neglect. Ruby's expressed preference is for two kinds of men — — domestic and foreign — — and the gentlemen moths, in their tight pants, bowler hats and Ascot cravats, flock to the flame. Even the bartenders with their walrus mustaches and spit-curls silently yearn for her. ... [N.Y. Times, Andre Sennwald, 22 September 1934].
• • Variety preferred to pooh-pooh at the Brooklyn blonde no matter what she did onstage or onscreen. Abel wrote a mixed review and these are his more warm-hearted statements: "Belle of the Nineties" is a little of everything. Even "St. Louis Blues" and "Memphis Blues" are in it — — she did "Frankie and Johnny" in "Diamond Lil." The original songs by Coslow and Johnston are "My Old Flame," "American Beauty," and "Troubled Waters." Duke Ellington's nifty jazzique is a natural for the Westian song delivery.
• • Abel added: "Troubled Waters" introduces a little of the Elder Michaux revival meeting. That's in the offing, but within seeming earshot, and thus she does a semi-spiritual against the heated colored revival meeting background which productionally is rather well worked in. ... [Variety, Abel, 25 September 1934].
• • Mae's strong constitution was evidenced in the fact that, despite censors and years of disappointments, she never turned to alcohol, pills, or illegal elixirs for comfort and she escaped having an ulcer. Coming up soon are bi-coastal annual celebrations of her mid-August birthday. Prepare the party hats!• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1934 • •
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Mae West.
The challenge of stepping into the shoes of a Russian ruler was a long time coming for MAE WEST. Known for comedies, novelty numbers, the shimmy, fast taps, and suggestive stage frolics, the Brooklyn blonde was not readily seen as the type to helm a serious historical drama. 
• • But once "Catherine Was Great" opened on 2 August 1944 at the Shubert Theatre, the Empress of Sex ran into other over-heated complications.
• • One of the actresses who played a Lady-in-Waiting in the czarina's court was billed as Mila Niemi. More commonly known as Maila Nurmi [1921 — 2008], the Finnish-American performer brought a heavy accent to the role and, apparently, an even heavier ego.
• • Maila Nurmi, 23 years old in 1944 and a striking high-cheeked beauty, was soon fired from the Broadway cast because Mae West feared she was being upstaged.
• • During the 1950s, Maila Nurmi went on to create the campy character Vampira. Her portrayal of this undead vixen — — as television's first sassy horror host and in the Ed Wood cult film "Plan 9 from Outer Space" — — became quite influential in this genre.• • Let's imagine the crowds that gathered during August 1944 in front of the Shubert Theatre [225 West 44th Street] to try to buy tickets or get Mae's autograph.
• • An enthusiastic group will gather in the same spot on 16 August 2009 for a walking tour — — "Gaudy Girls on The Gay White Way: Mae West & Texas Guinan in the Theatre District" — — and we hope to see you, too, at 4 o'clock that Sunday.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1944 • •
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Mae West.
Cary Grant made a memorable male lead for MAE WEST in two crowd-pleasing comedies.
• • Cary Grant's first screen partnership with Mae West was in "She Done Him Wrong" [released in the USA on 9 February 1933]. And the Brooklyn Academy of Music has devoted August 3rd — 20th to screening Cary Grant classics.
• • Though the Gay Nineties Bowery classic is not on the bill, they will be screening the Pre-Code charmer “I’m No Angel” [originally released on 6 October 1933].
• • This month, treat yourself to a number of Cary Grant titles such as Monday’s “Blonde Venus” [released in the USA on 16 September 1932], the Hollywood vehicle that provided Cary Grant with his first leading role — — opposite Marlene Dietrich.
• • BAM's website has details about when you can enjoy that tall, dark, and handsome gentleman in George Cukor’s “Holiday,” an energetic collaboration with Katharine Hepburn; an appealing laugh-fest “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House,” co-starring Myrna Loy; Alfred Hitchcock’s “Suspicion,” with Joan Fontaine, and other favorites.
• • BAM Rose Cinemas [30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217] is the place to be on Tuesday evening — — when "I'm No Angel" will be shown on 4 August 2009 at 6:50 PM and again that night at 9:15 PM.• • 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.
An amusing article appeared about Rae Bourbon, who performed on Broadway with MAE WEST.
• • "Eventually Rae Bourbon had his own club on Sunset Strip in L.A., where he hobnobbed with Hollywood elite such as Mae West and Bob Hope. He released dozens of comedy and bawdy-song records on several labels, including his own, UTC (Under The Counter, where one often found the risqué records in a shop)," writes Nick DiFonzo [Houston Press, "Cutout Bin: Rae Bourbon — — Let Me Tell You About My Operation," Friday, 31 July 2009].
• • Born in Texas as Hal Wadell, the vaudeville comedian and female impersonator called himself either Ray or Rae Bourbon [11 August 1892 — 20 July 1971] onstage. Not unlike that other not-very-beautiful entertainer born during August — — Madonna — — Bourbon kept his bookings going by navigating a shifting terrain of social attitudes about gender, censorship, bisexuality, transgression, transvestism, bawdiness, and sheer snark.
• • A memorable date for Rae Bourbon took place 65 years ago — — the Broadway debut of "Catherine Was Great," when Mae West portrayed the Empress of Russia and Bourbon had a minor role as Florian.
• • Let's imagine the crowds that gathered on 2 August 1944 in front of the Shubert Theatre [225 West 44th Street] to celebrate this grand premiere.
• • An enthusiastic group will gather in the same spot on 16 August 2009 for a walking tour — — "Gaudy Girls on The Gay White Way: Mae West & Texas Guinan in the Theatre District" — — and we hope to see you, too, at 4 o'clock that Sunday.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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It was July 1931 when MAE WEST entered into a complex discussion with the Shuberts about a stage version of The Constant Sinner, based on her bi-racial novel set in Harlem and published by Macauley in hardcover [November 1930].
• • Afraid of offending ticket buyers (especially after the Wall Street meltdown in 1929) and antagonizing the censors, the Shuberts disguised their legal tango with Mae, hiding behind the name of one of their GMs, Joseph M. Gaites. Putting a little more space between the adventurous Brooklynite and the reputable Shubert organization, Gaites cleverly created an indie production company: Constant Productions Incorporated. His back and forth correspondence with the blonde bombshell has been preserved — — along with mainstage contracts signed by Mae West the playwright (on 10 July 1931) and Mae West the Broadway star (on 20 August 1931).
• • When she brought her play "The Constant Sinner" to Atlantic City in August 1931, the crowds lined up for tickets, noted The New York Times: "With two rows of standees and chairs in the aisles for extra celebrants, last Monday night saw Mae West run through her latest daisy chain, The Constant Sinner, at the Apollo Theatre in Atlantic City. . ." [NY Times 30 August 1931].• • In the role of Babe Gordon, Mae debuted the show on Broadway in September of that year.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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When food writers attempt to use a MAE WEST reference, they can easily grate on one's nerves.
• • Unafraid of appearing uninformed or ridiculous is Canadian consumer Rita DeMontis, who offered this ham-fisted opening for her July 30th column ["Great Grapes"] in The Sarnia Observer.
• • Rita DeMontis writes: Oh, Beulah — — peel me a grape! This was Mae West's famous other line, from her film "I'm No Angel," when the queen of double entendres managed to elevate a request for her favourite fruit into something akin to soft porn.
• • The legendary sex siren single-handedly made the grape a luscious object of desire.
• • Grapes have always held an air of mystique . . . .
• • • • Of Apes and Grapes • • • • • • In our opinion, if you believe grapes have mystique, then you need to get out more often. And if that familiar Mae West quip seems "akin to soft porn," then one hour on the Internet must present a great deal of unspeakable peril to such a timid reader.
• • As many Mae-mavens know, the movie queen's pet monkey Boogie appeared with her in "I'm No Angel." Boogie would not eat grapes unless they were peeled. When the director asked the movie star to ad lib a line — — to round out a shot with Tira and her maids — — his request prompted Mae West's remark, "Beulah, peel me a grape."
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Published in: The Sarnia Observer [140 S. Front St., Sarnia, Canada] — — www.theobserver.ca• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Back in the Verde Valley, they fondly remember MAE WEST. 
• • A Cottonwood, Arizona oldtimer told the local newspaper about the day the notorious Broadway blonde tootled into town by train. He said: "'I remember ole Mae, staying right here at the Cottonwood Hotel. I was just a youngster. It was sometime back in the twenties — — maybe 1927. She was up behind 'ur alley, between those two buildings," he emphasized by pointing in the direction of a neighborhood saloon the locals sneaked into during the Prohibition Era in North Central Arizona. "She rubbed her hands through some ole whiskey barrels behind the old Requenda bar. I think she was doin' some entertainin' there too, besides the Rialto Theater. She was with some good ole boys. They were in the back poker room of the bar for hours." Sounds like Diamond Lil, all right. 
• • The native film-buffs also claim that Mae West returned to Cottonwood; the actress stopped by en route to Hollywood, they insist, traveling west after leaving New York City in June 1932.
• • The Mae West Room at the Cottonwood Hotel • •
• • The Cottonwood Hotel's Studio Suite #4 is also known as the Mae West Room. According to their publicity material, "With the original clawfoot tub, it might have once held some good ole bathtub gin! Movie posters and Mae West posters and pictures are hanging on the walls in this cute little studio suite with kitchenette. This suite also flaunts a mirror on the ceiling over the bed, with sheers draped around. Now that is a touch of classic Mae West decor!"
• • Prominently displayed in the Mae West Suite is a colorful poster from "Every Day's a Holiday" [released 18 December 1937].
• • Located not far from Sedona, the Cottonwood Hotel was built in 1922; the address is 930 N. Main Street, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in Arizona • •
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MAE WEST was inspired by "The Hairy Ape," a popular play written by Eugene O'Neill. 
• • She certainly saw it once — — and possibly twice — — before it ended its Broadway run at the Plymouth Theatre [236 West 45th Street, NYC] on the 1st of July 1922.
• • July 28th — 29th, 1922 • • • • For the out-of-town try-outs of her new show "The Ginger Box Revue" in Connecticut on July 28 and July 29th, 1922, Mae West had polished her parody of O'Neill's tragic hero.
• • According to biographer Emily Wortis Leider, Mae West burlesqued the character: “Yank was the very sort of brutish caveman type Mae West favored as a foil to play against, onstage and off — — in O’Neill’s hands a somber and powerful archetype, and in hers a comic cartoon rendered with broad strokes.”
• • Backed by a dozen chorines (the Stoker Girls) and a black orchestra, Mae sang, “Eugene O’Neill, You’ve Put a Curse on Broadway” and bellowed “Yank-style” lines including, “She don me doit! Lemme up! I’ll show her who’s an ape.”
• • Rehearse your favorite Mae West lines right on Broadway on Sunday afternoon 16 August 2009, when a guided tour will explore Manhattan's WEST-side during the "Gaudy Girls on The Great White Way: Mae West and Texas Guinan in the Theatre District" walking tour. The annual event — — open to the public — — is timed to salute the Brooklyn bombshell on her birthdate: 17 August 1893.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1923 • •
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Being scandalous is the theme of a jazzy musical featuring MAE WEST — — who will be portrayed by brunette newcomer Jennifer Swiderski.
• • SYNOPSIS of "Scandalous People" — — Set in a 1920s Harlem speakeasy, "Scandalous People" is a "jazzical" rife with leggy chorus girls, vaudevillian antics, backstage drama, and comedy. The story revolves around Dewey Demarkov, an African-American showman and resident impresario of the Do Drop Inn. Dewey's innovative productions garner the praise and attention of the infamous Mae West, who would like a show built around her; and the notorious gangster Dutch Schultz, who is looking for a foray into Harlem's speakeasy scene. With their money and support, Dewey's dream of mounting a groundbreaking black and white revue on racially polarized Broadway seems within reach... but at what cost?
• • During August 2009, "Scandalous People" will play five performances at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village.
• • Since Demarkov is a Slavic name, maybe the guy is planning a do-drop-inn move on the Russian empress Catherine the Great as well.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Stars inside their Hollywood homes — — Architectural Digest just revisited the topic and featured MAE WEST at home again. 
• • Ten celebrities had been photographed inside their residence. When the movie queen was spotlighted in this publication, here's the text they ran:
• • “There’s always been just one way — — what’s right for me,” said the indomitable Mae West. Like many performers, West was a mixture of show-off and recluse, a personality at once calculatingly public and insistently private. These two facets of the actress’s nature were reflected in her home and the life she led there — — not in any balanced way but, like nesting boxes, one hidden within the other. Outside was the Mae West persona, sex-obsessed, and self-loving, for which she found a domestic equivalent in the apartment she moved into in 1932, when she first arrived in Los Angeles, and where, in what may well be a record for residential longevity in Hollywood, she remained for the next 48 years.
• • Located on the sixth floor of the Ravenswood, an Art Déco building on Rossmore Avenue whose other tenants included Ava Gardner, Hedda Hopper, and Judy Garland, West’s apartment was modest in size. It had just two bedrooms, a tiny kitchen, and common rooms that were by no means grand, but the decoration aspired to grandeur, and beyond. “Quality, quality — — that’s all I heard [from my mother],” Mae West told Life Magazine in 1969. “Everything has proportion, nothing is jarring. Everything is symphony.” Fearful of the damaging effects of sunlight and fresh air on her beauty, she kept the blinds permanently drawn and the air conditioning perpetually humming. (April 1994)
— — Source: — —
• • Column: "Stars in Residence: Hollywood Homes"
• • Published in: Architectural Digest — — http://www.architecturaldigest.com
• • Published in: July 2009 [originally printed in their April 1994 issue]
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • circa 1934 • •
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News men had various opinions about MAE WEST, often comparing her to the leading screen queens of her era (and some divas were not as well-rounded as the Brooklyn blonde).
