Mae West: Dramatic Adviser

In September 1934, MAE WEST sat down for a series of "Me and My Past" talks with the United Press syndicated reporter Leicester Wagner.  We will post excerpts from Chapter #6 in several installments.  This is Chapter 6, excerpt e-e.
• • "Me and My Past" by Mae West • •
• • As Told to Leicester Wagner, United Press Staff Correspondent • •
• • Mr. Timony came to Hollywood with me, continuing to handle my business affairs. Recent rumors have it that he's no longer my manager. That is untrue. I'm still giving him his check every week. There is less for him to do now, but his advice is still welcome as is that of a few other men who are considered in the "West camp."
• • Lives With Brother • •
• • These include my brother, Jack West. Jr.. with whom I reside. He is part of my "family," and the other part is my father, Jack West.  Boris Petroff, a former stage producer for Paramount in New York, is my dramatic adviser — — while Murray Fiel and Murray Ellman with Mr. Timony comprise what amounts to a business board of directors. I never see my paycheck.  And I carry only purse money.   . . .
• • NOTE: This is the 6th chapter of Mae West's life story as told to Leicester Wagner, United Press.  This syndicated series was reprinted in American newspapers during September 1934.
• • This has been excerpt e-e.  Thursday's post will be f-f — —  the conclusion of Chapter #6.
• • On Tuesday, 30 November 1948 • •

Mae West & Billy Van

• • When Brooks Atkinson reviewed the New Jersey revival of "Diamond Lil," his comments were printed in The New York Times on Tuesday, 30 November 1948 (page 2). The title was "Mae West Hits Montclair."  Brooks Atkinson called Mae West "the goddess of sex."
• • In his admiring review of her 1948 reinvigorated Bowery queen romp through her popular "naughty nineties" hit,  New York Times drama critic Brooks Atkinson admitted he was moved to acknowledge what he called — — in an atypically poetic effusion — — ''the sublime fatalism of the entire business,'' and he went on to ask: ''Is she kidding or is she serious?''
• • On Sunday, 30 November 1980 in Los Angeles • •
• • An article by Richard Meryman, "The One and Only Mae West," was printed in the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner on Sunday, 30 November 1980.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Will Hays argued that Mae West would bring blatant indecency to the silver screen. However, the studio executives sensed there was money to be made.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Don't you see how my life is?  I gotta top myself in my pictures and I gotta watch myself in everything else. My private life has gotta be a model."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A daily newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • Brooks Atkinson responded to Mae's performance "Diamond Lil" with this statement:  "A fine, full-bosomed woman with lots of glitter and gaudiness, Mae is an original unclassified phenomenon . . .
• • Source:  Review in The N.Y. Times; published on Tuesday, 30 November 1948
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 12th anniversary • •  
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3585th 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml   
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • onstage in 1948 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC  Mae West