Mae West: Daily Barrage

"MAE WEST Ties with St. Nick on Requests" ran the headline in the Chicago Tribune. One reader whose printing shop burnt down appealed to Mae's generosity and ask for a donation. A fellow with a hair fetish requested a sample to add to his collection of hair from movie stars. A corset manufacturer sent Mae a new model, pleading for her endorsement. One guy requested her presence at a fundraiser. Another sent her a song, saying he would not charge a penny if she sang it.  Let's turn to the paper itself now.
• • Money and a Lock of Hair Figure in Daily Barrage of Demands • •

• • The Chicago Tribune wrote: When it comes to requests for gifts, Santa Claus, at the height of his season, has nothing on Mae West, who gets a great number of letters every day. A. sampling of one day's mail brought the following gems.
• • The Chicago Tribune wrote: From Omaha, one hopeful wrote: "I need $18 to buy a sweepstakes ticket. I'll send you $1,000 if I win."
• • A high school paper in Danville, Illinois was suffering from a circulation slump and asked Mae for a signed article to interest its readers.  . . .
• • . . . But one chap, down in Phoenix, Arizona, had the right idea.  He wrote: "All I want is five minutes of your spare time."
• • Source: article in The Chicago Sunday Tribune; published on Sunday, 5 May 1935.
• • On Monday, 7 May 1934 • •
• • On Monday, 7 May 1934 Mae West recorded "Troubled Waters."  This collaboration between New York City lyricist Sam Coslow and composer Arthur Johnson was created expressly for the motion picture "Belle of the Nineties." Backed by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Mae archived her performance in the recording studio.
• • On Tuesday, 7 May 1935 • •
• • An article "Actor Says He Wed Mae West" was published overseas on Tuesday, 7 May 1935 in The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser.
• • On Saturday, 7  May 1938 • •
• • Composer W.C. Handy spoke to the Chicago Defender and this article was printed:  “'Papa' Handy 'Goes Up to See' Mae West” on page 19 of the issue dated for Saturday, 7 May 1938.
• • On Friday, 7 May 1943 • •
• • Matrimony and mayhaps!  Mae West moved on from her marital missteps with vaudevillian Frank Wallace in 1911.  However, the final divorce decree took much longer. The marriage was legally dissolved on Friday, 7 May 1943.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Gilbert  Roland is one of the busiest actors on the Coast. He played opposite Clara Bow in "Call Her Savage" and is now completing a leading role in "She Done Him Wrong," starring Mae West.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "I ought to know If I ever married  or not, oughtn't I?" 
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Joan Collins wrote a memoir and mentioned Mae West.
• • Joan wrote: Then Mae West turns to ask her bodyguard Paul Novak, "Where is Timothy? Bring him round here."  Joan explains to her readers that Mae has an odd accent, half grande dame and half die-hard Brooklynite. Paul whispers to a go-fer, who fetches Timothy Dalton and brings him to the ladies. He seems shy or embarrassed when his leading lady grabs his arm to introduce him to Ross Hunter.
• • Smiling happily, Mae West proudly announces, "This is Timothy Dalton, my new discovery. He is as good an actor as Sir Larry Olivier, and maybe even better. When he plays with me in 'Sextette,' he will become one of the most known actors in the world."  . . .
• • Source: Excerpt from the autobiography of Joan Collins, "Second Act" [London: MacMillan Publishers Ltd., 1996]
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3173rd 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 • • in 1935 • •
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