Mae West: Met Her Match

MAE WEST didn’t like working with W.C. Fields. But fans continue to appreciate the “Old West” comedy they made together in 1940. This is Part 1 of 2.
• • DVD Review: Mae West: The Glamour Collection on Universal Home Video • •
• • Five fine Mae West films thrown together in a shoddy white plastic package • •
• • Dan Callahan wrote: The DVD set concludes with the semi-classic “My Little Chickadee,” where Mae West met her match, W.C. Fields, another resolutely uningratiating, egocentric vaudevillian.

• • Dan Callahan wrote: They shared a love for mysterious, black-humored non sequiturs, and they both refused to make contact with others.
• • Dan Callahan wrote: “Is it possible for us to be lonesome together?” asks the Great Man, and West smiles with appreciation at his wintry, cynical solitude.
• • Dan Callahan wrote: This is the only time she really pays attention to someone else in her movies, and it makes the somewhat flat Chickadee an endlessly watchable source of delight, a pre-WWII Theater of the Absurd.
• • Mae West: Sex with Harpo Marx • • . . .   
• • Dan Callahan’s amusing piece will be concluded on our next post.
• • Source: Slant Magazine; published on Thursday, 30 March 2006.
• • On Tuesday, 8 September 1914 • •
• • In early September 1914, accordionist Guido Deiro was booked at the Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, as a headliner.  On Tuesday, 8 September 1914 the San Antonio Light announced the featured entertainment, noting that another variety artist was Mae West, "the Eva Tanguay of vaudeville" — — including her name (with no fanfare) among six other acts.
• • On Friday, 8 September 1922 in Variety • •
• • "Mae West, author, loses her pianist," noted Variety in their issue dated for Friday, 8 September 1922.
• • Harry Richman — — an unknown in 1922 when Mae West gave him a chance — —  ditched her to join singer Nora Bayes [1880 — 1928] in her vaudeville act.  Awww.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • All in all, the "Mae West Revue" is a show that is playing to capacity audiences every performance.  It is a show that is being acclaimed as the finest on any night club stage.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Well, I knew W.C. Fields was a clever man, a comedian. Universal wanted me to use him. I said fine. We started workin' together but he started gettin' envious because I wrote the thing. He asked if I'd mind him writing a few of his own scenes, and I said no as long as he didn't go write anything for me. He was plottin' though.  He'd hold up the shooting on the scenes he'd written and you see they'd be vital to the story. Among other things he wanted the billing to read, ‘Mae West and W.C. Fields’ instead of ‘Mae West with W.C. Fields’."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A foreign newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • Grand Theatre — Second Week for Mae West • •
• • Film World wrote: Only films that prove more than usually popular are permitted to occupy the screen for two weeks at the Grand Theatre and, naturally, the Mae West success, "I'm No Angel," falls into this class. It will enter on its second and final week today, giving way to the fine Claudette Colbert comedy, "Three-Cornered Moon" (Paramount), next Friday.
• • Film World added: There may be different opinions about Mae West, but there is no doubt of her popularity today.  …
• • Source: The West Australian; published on Friday, 7 September 1934
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,817th 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 • • onscreen in 1940 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Chess Queen

MAE WEST, long considered to be a “movie queen of the silver screen,” has taken her rightful place as the Queen (as well as the only female) in a few Golden Era of Hollywood themed chess sets.

• • Newly released from Great Britain, comes a new set in two colors, aged ivory and red by the creative craftsmen of Berkeley Chess. Many legendary comedians of stage and screen are included.
• • The King is Charlie Chaplin. The Queen is Mae West. The Bishop is Marx Brothers, and the Knight is W.C. Fields. The Castle is Laurel and Hardy, and the 16 Pawns are The Keystone Cops.
• • Despite its extravagant price, be aware that a chessboard is not included.

• • Supercast versus Berkeley's chess pieces • •
• • Decades ago, probably during the 1970s, Supercast released a beautifully painted chess set with 32 pieces. Supercast’s figures stood between 3.5" and 5.75" high and included the same stars as the Berkeley set.
• • In the photo you can see Mae West as the Queen from this colorful vintage collectible.
• • Since this is not a paid endorsement, no prices nor vendors are noted here. Perhaps we should start saying, “Hey! How about a check, mate!”
• • On Saturday, 7 September 1912 • •
• • In New York City, the musical "A Winsome Widow" was staged on The Gay White Way from 11 April 1912 — 7 September 1912 at Moulin Rouge [1514 — 1516 Broadway at W. 44th St.]. Mae West, who was performing as Le Petite Daffy in that show, was taking her final bows on Saturday, 7 September 1912.
• • Haiku featuring Mae West • •
• • On a quiet set, Mae West polishing her diamonds — (poem on an Asian web site).
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West was featured in the animated cartoon "The Coo-Coo Nut Grove" [1936]. The script took the audience on an amusing tour of a fashionable Hollywood night club.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "You've got to fight in this world! You've got to fight to get there — — and fight to stay there."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The American Heritage Magazine discussed Mae West.
• • Susannah McCorkle wrote: Embraced by the public the moment Mae West hit the movie screen in 1933 at the amazingly advanced age of 40, she still hasn't lost her grip on the American consciousness. Two decades after her death, she continues to be a source of fascination and controversy, one of the most powerful sexual and cultural figures of our — — as well as our grandparents' — —  time.  ...
• • Source: The American Heritage Magazine; published in the September 2001 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,816th 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 • • Hollywood figures' chess sets • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Much Imitated

MAE WEST is back onscreen. This assessment of her Blu-ray line-up is by Stephen Bjork. This is Part 10 of his lengthy review, the last segment.
• • “I'm No Angel” (Blu-ray Review) • •
• • Mae West: Transgressed the Racial Norms • •
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Deighan also gives a nuanced look at the racial issues presented in the film, noting that Mae West both affirmed and transgressed the racial norms of that era. She also covers the way that queer culture had influenced West’s persona.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: It’s a good commentary track which provides important historical context to enhance appreciation of the film.

• • Stephen Bjork wrote: She Done Him Wrong and I’m No Angel both established West as one of the biggest box office draws of her era, and also established a unique persona in the history of film which has been much imitated, but never equaled.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: The Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-ray of I’m No Angel is a fantastic way to see a singular talent at the height of her powers.  
• • Stephen Bjork’s piece has now concluded with this post. Do you agree with his commentary? Tell us.
• • Source: The Digital Bits; published on Friday, 30 July 2021.  
• • On Sunday, 6 September 1942 • •
• • A photo of Mae West, costumed as Diamond Lil, appeared in the American Weekly supplement of the Los Angeles Examiner (on page 7) on Sunday, 6 September 1942.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West's incredibly gorgeous Swan Bed had once been the property of Amelia Bingham and later of Diamond Jim Brady, which made it eminently fitting that it should descend to Diamond Lil. Its graceful neck arched over her blonde head. The swan’s beak caught on the back of her silken curtains.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "I've taken good care of myself all my life."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Helen Lawrenson wrote: When I rang the bell of her suite, Mae opened the door, peering past me to make sure no photographer lurked in my wake.
• • Helen Lawrenson wrote: Then she ushered me into the living room and I was back in the lush Hollywood-style Marie-Antoinette-boudoir decor of the Thirties. …
• • Source: Esquire; published on Saturday, 1 July 1967
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,815th 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 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Distinct Persona

MAE WEST is back onscreen. This assessment of her Blu-ray line-up is by Stephen Bjork. This is Part 9 of his lengthy review.
• • "I'm No Angel" (Blu-ray Review) • •
• • Mae West: The film’s historical background • •
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: While she does occasionally talk about specific scenes, for the most part she covers the historical background of the film, its themes, and the biographies of the various cast members.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Samm Deighan talks about how the success of Mae West’s first two films saved Paramount [sic] at that time, and how West’s persona was distinct from the typical Hollywood starlet of the era.

• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Rather than being a slim ingenue, she was a voluptuous, worldly woman with a caustic sense of humor.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Deighan argues that the role of Tira was autobiographical for West, not in any particular details, but rather in the way that Tira controls her career just like West did.
• • Mae West: Transgressed the Racial Norms • •  …   
• • Stephen Bjork’s article will conclude on the next post with Part 10.
• • Source: The Digital Bits; published on Friday, 30 July  2021.  • • On Friday, 3 September 1937 in Film Daily • •
• • Hollywood — Jack Linder, formerly New York stage producer and one of the leading vaudeville bookers there, has entered the motion picture agency field here at 8741 Sunset Boulevard. Linder has produced such shows as Mae West in "Diamond Lil," "The Squealer," "Cortez," "The Honor Code" and others. Jack Linder also plans to produce legitimate shows on the Coast in the fall.
• • Though Jack Linder was still trumpeting his association with the Paramount star, just four months later, Mae West was back in court with his contentious brother Mark Linder, wrote Film Daily on Friday, 3 September 1937.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West's days began, as they begin now, at noon, with what her maid calls “a man-size breakfast.” She is crazy about sweets, thick juicy steaks, and homemade pastries.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "The quality of young skin is there, isn't it? Here look at my cleavage, see how tight the skin is?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • "Offer Ten Grand to Mae West" • •
• • Chicago — Mae West has received an offer to appear at a World's Fair spot at $10,000 a week. Balaban and Katz also are trying to make a deal for her to appear at one of their Loop houses this summer. It is possible arrangements may be made for her to play the theater and double at the Fair. ...
• • Source: Film Daily; published on Saturday, 23 June 1934
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,814th 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 • • poster in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Quite Revealing

MAE WEST is back onscreen. This assessment of her Blu-ray line-up is by Stephen Bjork. This is Part 8 of his lengthy review.
• • "I'm No Angel" (Blu-ray Review) • •
• • Mae West: Extras • •

• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Extras include the following: Audio Commentary by Samm Deighan;  I'm No Angel Trailer (SD – 1:58); Night After Night Trailer (SD – 2:39); Belle of the Nineties Trailer (HD – 1:54); Goin' to Town Trailer (SD – 1:42); Every Day's a Holiday Trailer (HD – 2:27); My Little Chickadee Trailer (SD – 1:36); The Eagle and the Hawk Trailer (SD – 1:40)
• • Mae West: Comments by film historians are revealing • •  
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Film historian Samm Deighan’s commentary is free-flowing and conversational.
• • Mae West: The film’s historical background • •  …
• • Stephen Bjork’s article will continue on the next post.
• • Source: The Digital Bits; published on Friday, 30 July  2021.  
• • On Tuesday, 2 September 1969 • •
• • Stanley Musgrove spoke to Mae West often as she prepared for "Myra Breckinridge" and fretted about working with Michael Sarne and a much younger actress. Musgrove's diary entries on Tuesday, 2 September 1969 reveal a different side of Mae than most of her fans knew.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Nothing prepared Fred Apollo for what he would experience during his twenty-five-year career as a talent agent at the famous William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, California where he worked with legends in the latter half of their careers such as Mae West, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and others — — as well as with emerging artists from the start of their careers: Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Sonny and Cher, Bobby Darin, and Phyllis Diller.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "There was the robber, waving his gun in my face, and asking me to turn over my jewels to him. I said. 'Listen, big boy, you can have the jewels, but do you mind lowering that gun a bit? I can always get more jewels, but I've got to have my face to do it with!'"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article by Associated Press discussed Mae West.
• • Bob Thomas wrote: The interviewer wonders if this soft-voiced woman of 80 could have aroused such a clamor. The answer is yes. She continues to spout such comments as: "Sex is like a small business; you gotta watch over it." ...
• • Source: A.P. article rpt in The Journal News (Hamilton, Ohio); published on Saturday, 18 August 1973
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,813th 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 • • onscreen in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Fine Detail

MAE WEST is back onscreen. This assessment of her Blu-ray line-up is by Stephen Bjork. This is Part 7 of his lengthy review.
• • "I'm No Angel" (Blu-ray Review) • •
• • Mae West: Fine grain prints. Her films received a “lovely transfer” • •

• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Otherwise, the gray-scale is just as accurate with good contrast and black levels. It’s a lovely transfer.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Audio is offered in English 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional English subtitles.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: The audio sounds clean with clear dialogue, though with just an occasional touch of sibilance, which is the way it was recorded.
• • Mae West: Extras • •  …
• • Stephen Bjork’s article will continue on the next post.
• • Source: The Digital Bits; published on Friday, 30 July  2021.  
• • On Friday, 1 September 1939 • •
• • It was on Friday, 1 September 1939 in Great Britain when English viewers saw Mae West featured in a splashy cameo in “Mickey’s Gala Premiere” on the telly.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The new Noxema shaving cream girl tries to come on like Mae West.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I sat around for 12 weeks drawing money and I never saw a script. This wasn't for me."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The New York Times reviewed "The Constant Sinner," a play by Mae West set in Harlem.
• • The New York Times wrote: "It is underworld material from start to finish, and Miss West handles her role with surety and a sufficiency of wisecracks that provide laughter with frequency." . . .
• • Source: Review in The New York Times; published on Sunday, 30 August 1931
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,812th 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 • • onscreen in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest