Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Mae West: Ideal Player

It was the middle of May in 1936 and Hollywood titan Cecil B. de Mille [1881 — 1959] had MAE WEST on his ideal actress list.
• • "Ideal Player" • •
• • The perfect woman has been found by Cecil B. de Mille in Hollywood. But she is not likely to appear In a film, for she exists only in the imagination of the director. She is a combination of nine motion picture players — — Mae West, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, Irene Dunne,  Gladys Swarthout, Ann Harding, Greta Garbo, Grace Moore, and Marlene Dietrich. De Mille considers beauty is the least Important of the ideal screen player's characteristics, but emphasises humour, culture, and tenderness as essentials.
• • Source: Item in "Studio Shots" printed in The Argus [Melbourne, Australia]; published on Monday, 18 May 1936.
• • On Sunday, 19 May 1935 in The L.A. Times • •
• • Coverage of Frank Wallace's claims, that he was once married to movie queen Mae West, appeared in The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, 19 May 1935 along with Mae's firm denials ["Never heard of the guy!"] and scoffing.
• • On Saturday, 19 May 1945 in Oakland, California • •
• • Starring Mae West, the play "Ring Only Twice" was staged in California in Oakland's Auditorium Theatre. There were two weekend performances on May 19th and 20th, 1945.
• • On Wednesday, 19 May 1948 • •
• • Mae West and Jim Timony boarded the Queen Mary on Saturday, 15 May 1948 at Southampton, England for a return voyage to New York City, arriving in their home port on Wednesday, 19 May 1948.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West said she cares nothing for formal games of any sort, though she does enjoy boxing matches.  No outdoor activities and no hobbies interest her. 
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "In the old days even the 'bad women' were at least glamorous. Glamorous — — you know what I mean? — — and fascinating."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An Australian newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • "A Popular Supporting Player" • •
• • Miss Skipworth is being 'built' care fully by Paramount Pictures, to which organisation she is now under contract, and will be seen in amusing characterisations in 'He Learned About Women' with Stuart Erwin, in 'If I Had a Million,' as one of the all-star cast, and in 'Night After Night,' with George Raft, and Mae West.  . . . 
• • Photo: Mae West in bed with her British co-star Alison Skipworth after the famous speakeasy drinking scene in "Night After Night" [1932]. Look at all that fabulous jewelry Mae is wearing to bed!!!.
• • Source: Item on page 2 in The West Australian [Perth]; published on Friday, 19 May 1933
• • 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 3181st 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 1932

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