Mae West: Two Strikes

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 #7 in several installments.  This is Chapter 8, excerpt b-b.
• • "Me and My Past" by Mae West • •
• • As Told to Leicester Wagner, United Press Staff Correspondent • •
• • I have always — — as the diamond-saying goes — — two strikes on me. Because of the records set by my pictures, I have to top each one.  Yet if I fell far below any of them, the knockers could start whispering "We told you so." When, in fact, a picture I might turn out, that should fall below those amazing records, still would be far more popular than the average star's films.
• • She's Not Worried • •
• • But anyone at the top can expect that. It doesn't bother me. I get my main satisfaction from life in handing others an hour of entertainment, of pulling 'em out of what's bothering 'em; in handing 'em a laugh.
• • Each one has to be better • •  . . .
• • NOTE: This is the 8th 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 b-b — — tomorrow's selection will be c-c.
• • On Friday, 13 December 1912 in Variety • •
• • At Hammerstein's Victoria the stagebill was always crowded. In December 1912, the singing comedienne Mae West opened right after intermission, a difficult spot on the Program because the audience was still taking seats, waving to friends as they strolled down the aisle, and not paying attention to the act onstage. Variety noted, in their issue dated for Friday, 13 December 1912 that Mae West was at a disadvantage that evening and "some of her very good material went for naught."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West — the femme fatale of the Bowery, bowling her leading men over one by one with her classical interpretation of a story-book strumpet.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Lady Godiva was the greatest gambler. She put everything she had on a horse."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A daily mentioned Mae West.
• • "Schoolboy Expelled for 'Mae West' Act" • •

• • Hiawatha, Kansas, Dec. 13 — [UP] — Billy Martin may be a Boy Scout, but he shouldn't impart a Mae West character to a lady teacher.
• • Martin was expelled from high school for dressing in female attire, proclaiming himself to be the teacher, and saying: "Why don't you come up and see me some time?"
• • Martin was reinstated a few hours later after he apologized and cited his record as a Scout of "Eagle" rank.  ...
• • Source: Item in The Pittsburgh Press; published on Wednesday, 13 December 1933
• • 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 3594th 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 1933 • •
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