Mae West: Unique Persona

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 68 of 68, the final segment.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Highlights from the boxset • •

• • Audio commentary on "She Done Him Wrong" with critic and film historian Pamela Hutchinson (2021)
• • "Mae West at UCLA" (1971, 29 mins): archival audio recording of the great performer in conversation at the University of California, Los Angeles
• • "Downtown Girl" (2021, 34 mins): appreciation of Mae West’s unique persona with academic and film historian Lucy Bolton
• • Audio commentary on "Go West Young Man" with writer and film historian Nora Fiore (2021)
• • "The Only Way Is West" (2021, 19 mins): exploration of Mae West’s cultural importance with critic and author Christina Newland
• • "She Done Him Right" (1933, 8 mins): animated short film parody of "She Done Him Wrong" featuring Pooch the Pup and other canine characters
• • "The Merry Old Soul" (1933, 8 mins): Oswald the Rabbit animated short film featuring caricatures of many Hollywood stars, including Mae West
• • "Hollywood Bowl" (1939, 7 mins): Walter Lantz animation featuring many Hollywood caricatures, including W. C. Fields
• • This long article by Mr. Andy Goulding has now been concluded. Did you enjoy it? Tell us.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Friday, 3 January 1936 in Australia • •
• • An intriguing article appeared in Perth on Friday, 3 January 1936 with this headline: "Favourite Camera Men of the Stars" (page 2) in the section "Film World" written by a Hollywood correspondent.

• • The West Australian wrote: The recent dispute between Mae West, Raoul Walsh (director), and Paramount executives over the quality of the photography of her new picture, 'Klondike Annie," which caused a four-day production halt while a new cameraman was found has been given much prominence in America.
• • The West Australian wrote: This inspired 'Variety'' to a consideration of screen stars and who was favoured as a camera man. ...
• • Note: Mae West halted production on "Klondike Annie" because her very own Karl Struss was busy with a Bing Crosby vehicle called "Anything Goes" (co-starring Ida Lupino, Charles Ruggles, and Ethel Merman as Reno Sweeney, a charismatic night club singer who is a former evangelist).
• • Source: The West Australian; published on Friday, 3 January 1936.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • In 1932, Mae West's jewel robbery was on the front page.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Hiring someone to write your autobiography is like hiring someone to take a bath for you."
• • Mae West said: "The best way to hold a man is in your arms."
• • Mae West said: "To catch a husband is an art — — to hold him is a job."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Mae West Versus Venus • •
• • Ralph Wilks wrote: A two-foot statue of Mae West is in the window of a department store at 6th and Broadway, Los Angeles' busiest corner, has been a traffic stopper.
• • Ralph Wilks wrote: Mae's measurements are being compared with those of Venus de Milo.
• • Ralph Wilks wrote: The stunt was arranged by Victor M. Shapiro in conjunction with Mae's personal appearances at the Paramount, where her newest motion picture, "Every Day's a Holiday" is playing. …
• • Source: Film Daily; published on Tuesday, 1 February 1938
• • 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 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,148th 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 • • in 1933 and in 1936 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Film Commentaries

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 67 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Two special features • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: The copious special features in the boxset include numerous commentaries from historians and critics, original trailers, interviews, and documentaries.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Two special features especially worth flagging up: Three Walter Lantz cartoons of the era, including the Oscar-nominated "The Merry Old Soul," featuring Hollywood caricatures and parodies of Mae West films.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: And also the feature length 1982 TV movie Mae West, a multiple Emmy-nominated production starring Ann Jillian as West and co-starring Piper Laurie, Roddy McDowell, and very handsome James Brolin as the decidedly unprepossessing James Timony.
• • Mae West: Highlights from the boxset • • ...
• • This long article will be concluded on the next post, which is # 68.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Tuesday, 2 January 1934 in Chicago • •
• • On 2 January 1934, when Mae's sister Beverly applied for a marriage license in Chicago, it was hoped that her second Russian-born husband would be a better companion than her ex-husband Sergei Treshatny. The groom Vladimir Baikoff made Beverly's acquaintance when both were booked on a radio program. Beverly was doing her famous Mae West impersonation for a broadcast — — and Vlad was eager to conjugate some sultry Slavic verbs with her in private, after the show.
• • On her marriage license, Beverly gave her age as 27, meaning that she had been born in 1907.
• • Note: This was consistent with Mae's calculations; in 1934, Mae West was giving her birthyear as 1900 and the siblings were seven years apart.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • Mae West simply managed to entertain Americans and make them laugh at the peak of the Great Depression.
• • As a gesture of gratitude, supposedly Paramount Pictures even named a building at their lot after Mae West.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I'll never believe the worst about anybody without complete proof, nor will I believe it's useless to struggle against so called Fate."
• • Mae West said: "My advice to those who think they have to take off their clothes to be a star is, once you're boned, what's left to create the illusion? Let 'em wonder. I never believed in giving them too much of me."
• • Mae West said: "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?''
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A foreign newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • The headline was: "I've Come to Find out, Says Mae."
• • The Singapore Free Press wrote: Mae West invited goggle-eyed British reporters to "come up and see me sometime" when she ran the first gauntlet of them on her arrival at Southampton at two o'clock on Wednesday morning.  
• • Just to keep everything above board, Mae asked them all to a press reception at the Savoy Hotel, explained the Singapore-based reporter.  …
• • Source: The Singapore Free Press; published on Tuesday, 23 September 1947
• • 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 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,147th 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 • • in 1943 and in 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Resisted a Return

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 66 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Resisted a return to the screen for 27 years • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Though she resisted a return to the screen for 27 years (including rejecting the part of Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder’s classic "Sunset Boulevard"), Mae West’s star never dimmed.

• • Andy Goulding wrote: Mae West remains one of the most instantly recognisable figures of the twentieth century.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: And thanks to this wonderful boxset, I now understand what all the fuss is about.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: "Mae West in Hollywood" is released by Indicator on limited edition Blu-Ray on 13 December 2021.
• • Mae West: Two special features • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Wednesday, 29 December 1937 • •
• • Variety did an article on the ill-fated broadcast Mae did on NBC: "Mae West Case Big Dilemma in Washington." This piece was printed in Variety on Wednesday, 29 December 1937.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • "Mae is Mae West as always, sartorially magnificent in the stunning screen wardrobe for "Every Day's a Holiday" [1937] designed for her by Elsa Schiaparelli."
• • And she wore it well, let's not forget.
• • Elsa Schiaparelli was born in Rome in 1890, making her three years older than Mae West.
• • Elsa Schiaparelli, who had a brilliant career in fashion, died in Paris, France in 1973.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: ''I like movies about strong women. I was the first liberated woman, y'know. No guy was gonna get the best of me.''
• • Mae West said: "I take it out in the open and laugh at it."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Film Bulletin mentioned Mae West.
• • “Every Day’s a Holiday” Is One of Mae West’s Best Paramount [80 Minutes] • •
• • She likes Edmund Lowe, an honest detective, who disobeys orders issued by Lloyd Nolan, a crooked inspector, to arrest Mae.
• • She dresses up as a French actress with dark wig and proceeds to woo Nolan.
• • He becomes jealous of Lowe and fires him from the staff. The two men are later rivals. …
• • Source: Film Bulletin; published on Saturday, 1 January 1938
• • 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 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,146th 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 • • in 1934 and in 1937 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: A Damp Squib

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 65 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: A high point in a damp squib • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: It’s a high point amongst what is, unfortunately, a damp squib of a film.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: While “The Heat’s On” might feel like a limp ending to Mae West’s glory days, it was only the end of her screen years (not counting the roundly-panned duo of films she made in the 70s, later reclaimed by some as artefacts of high camp).
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Though her popularity as a screen attraction had waned, she was not recognised as an institution thoroughly embedded in the culture and her return to her stage roots, including lucrative stints in Las Vegas, proved wildly popular.
• • Mae West: Resisted a return to the screen for 27 years • • …
• • Note: Drawing of Walter Plunkett's beautiful gown for Mae West.
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On 28 December 1919 on Broadway • •
• • It was 28 December 1919 and Mae West was very busy in Manhattan — — double-booked, in fact.
• • The 26-year-old "firefly of vaudeville" was appearing that night at the Lyric Theatre [on 42nd Street, west of Broadway]. Sharing the Lyric bill with her were these entertainers: Eugene and Willie, the Howard Brothers; Carl McCullough; the 4 Haley Sisters; and "8 other favorite acts."
• • On the same night, Mae West performed at the 44th Street Theatre [near Broadway]. On the program was the top-billed act — — Sophie Tucker and Her Kings of Syncopation — — along with Ames and Winthrop, Mae West, Riggs and Witchie, and "8 other favorite acts."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Though Mae West staked her claim on the shimmy-shewabble, alas, so did Gilda Gray, who was eight years younger, lithe, lean, and long-legged — — and inclined to shake her chemise.
• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: "Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big, black space where the audience is."
• • Mae West said: "But above all, you've gotta have a certain something."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Film Bulletin mentioned Mae West.
• • “Every Day’s a Holiday” Is One of Mae West’s Best Paramount [80 Minutes] • •
• • Where Mae West has always been popular, the recent publicity about her radio role will hardly be an adverse factor. This will get good grosses.
• • In the smaller family communities she has probably been hurt but, then, her pictures probably meant little there before.
• • The story is laid in 1899, with Mae portraying the part of a shrewd confidence woman who sells Brooklyn Bridge to a tourist played by Herman Bing.  …
• • Source: Film Bulletin; published on Saturday, 1 January 1938
• • 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 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,145th 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 • • in 1943 and in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest