Mae West: Wild Bill Elliott

MAE WEST made her screen debut in "Night After Night" [1936] and Bill Elliott played one of Maudie Triplett's handsome escorts, one of the fellows in bowties who are surrounding the frisky blonde when she first appears on camera in a fur coat.
• • Bill Elliott [16 October 1904 — 26 November 1965] • •

• • Born in Pattonsburg, Missouri on 16 October 1904, the child entered this world as little Gordon Nance.  He grew up around livestock and horses and began to win ribbons and distinguish himself in the saddle. After he had appeared at the Pasadena Playhouse, a talent scout whispered the magic phrase "being in the movies." Professionally, he was known as Gordon Elliott in his earliest credits.
• • Come 1938, however, his horsemanship became his ticket to ride in Hollywood. Columbia Pictures anointed him as the lead in its 15-chapter serial, "The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" and Elliott's identification with horse operas began. Gradually he adopted the name "Bill" (even "Wild Bill"). Happy trails led to Republic, where budgets were more generous. A move to Monogram in 1951, when he was 47 years old, saddled him with B-grade cowboy fare. From 1955 — 1957, he switched genres, starring in five police dramas as an Irish-American detective.
• • From 1925 — 1957, he was in 254 feature films. 
• • Cancer claimed the life of Bill Elliott. He died in Las Vegas on Friday, 26 November 1965. He was 61.
• • Ernie Adams [18 June 1885 — 26 November 1947] • •
• • Born in San Francisco, California on 18 June 1885, Ernest S. Adams was featured in musical comedies on Broadway such as Jerome Kern's "Toot Toot" [1918], then devoted himself to the cinema from 1919 on. Finding favor with numerous casting agents who liked his squirrelly look, diminutive Ernie Adams would be seen (briefly) in 435 movies between 1919 — 1948.
• • He had a bit part in "She Done Him Wrong" [1933] as a gent in the audience appreciating Lady Lou as she performs onstage.
• • Employed right up until the end, Ernie Adams died in Hollywood in November — — on Wednesday, 26 November 1947. He was 62 years old.
• • On Thursday, 26 November 1931 • •
• • The New York Herald Tribune reported on the intense displeasure to white Washingtonians when Mae West brought her Harlem play "The Constant Sinner" to D.C. where the local D.A. was Leo K. Rover. Leo roared about the profanity and the dances performed by the black cast. The D.A., apparently, had been telling the media he would "arrest the entire company of fifty one if another performance were given," noted the Herald Tribune on Thursday, 26 November 1931. Racism reared its head.
• • On Friday, 26 November 1954 • •
• • In a vintage catalogue that kept track of Decca's 78 rpm platters, it was listed that Mae West recorded "Frankie and Johnny" and the B-side "All of Me" [Decca # 29452] on these dates: Friday, 26 November 1954 and Monday, 29 November 1954.
• • On Monday, 26 November 2012 in California • •
• • Enjoy a free screening of "She Done Him Wrong" and a discussion of Mae West at 2 pm today on Monday, 26 November 2012. It's part of Rancho Mirage Library's Classic Hollywood Vice 4-Part Film and Lecture Series.
• • Journalist Stacy Davies will presents a fascinating look at the controversial movie queen and the scandalous Hollywood “vice film” oeuvre that thrived in the years before the Motion Picture Production Code was enforced. This afternoon event is free.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "How would you describe me boys? I've been in Who's Who and I know what's what, but it'll be the first time I ever made the dictionary."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A review of "The Heat's On" mentioned that Mae West was "nearly crowded out."
• • The N.Y. Times noted: Even so, the sumptuous siren — — and Victor Moore and William Gaxton, as well — — is nearly crowded out of her own picture by a series of dull production numbers. Miss West, you see, is the turbulent musical comedy star caught in the intrigues of two rival crooked producers, and the plot has been used as little more than an excuse to place Hazel Scott, Xavier Cugat and some lesser folk through their paces — — none of which are particularly startling. ...
• • Source: Review written by T.S. for The N.Y. Times; published on Friday, 26 November 1943
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started eight years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2497th 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 • • 1932 • •
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