Thursday, February 09, 2017

Mae West: Hot as Hitler

A very long article about MAE WEST and her career in Tinseltown appeared five years ago.  It was written by Paul Phaneuf. Let's enjoy it together. This is Part 27.
• • Mae West: "I'm here to make talkies" or Censor Will vs. Diamond Lil • •
• • Let me take you away • •
• • Paul Phaneuf wrote:  But all's well that ends well, with Mae and Grant in an amorous embrace and Grant saying, "You need a rest and so do I.  Let me take you away someplace" and Mae replying, "Would you call that a rest?" And the film fades out as she starts singing "I'm No Angel . . . believe me"!
• • When released, the film went through the roof, giving Mae and Paramount back-to-back blockbusters. In its first week in New York it grossed over $84,000 and went on to earn more than $3 million total. Variety's review stated that Mae was "the biggest conversation provoker, free-speech grabber and all around box office bet in the country", ending with a one-of-a-kind statement, "She's as hot an issue as Hitler!"
• • In 1934 she became the highest paid woman in America. But a storm was brewing.
• • directly responsible for spiritual and moral progress • •  . . .
• • This was Part 27.  Part 28 will appear tomorrow.
• • Source:  Article by Paul Phaneuf in Films of the Golden Age Magazine;  issue dated 5 November 2011. Used with permission.
• • On Wednesday, 9 February 1927 • •
• • On Wednesday, 9 February 1927, Variety mentioned that Beverly West had been arrested on a disorderly conduct charge in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• • The drunken brawl at the Arcade Hotel in Edward Elsner's suite is dramatized in the stage play "Courting Mae West" in Act I, Scene 2. An audience favorite, the serious-minded comedy based on true events was featured in Australia's Midsumma Festival on 28 January 2012.
• • On Wednesday, 9 February 1927 in Manhattan • •
• • Headlines and headaches were in store for Mae West in 1927. On Wednesday, 9 February 1927, the first police raid of Mae West's play "Sex" led to an expensive trial, box office losses, and jail time for the actress and others.
• • On Thursday, 9 February 1933 • •
• • According to a source that tracks box office figures for motion pictures, "She Done Him Wrong," a 66-minute hit starring Mae West, had brought in $2,000,000 worldwide by Thursday, 9 February 1933.
• • On Friday, 9 February 1940 • •
• • The American premiere of "My Little Chickadee" was on Friday, 9 February 1940.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • James Cagney’s realness is similar to people like Mae West or W.C. Fields, who seem to be more authentic than their fellow performers, reacting to some of the cardboard backdrops that they’re working with.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "What would I be doing in a lonely hearts club?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • ABC in Australia focused on Mae West.
• • Mae West — —  Presented by Fran Kelly • •
• • She was no classical beauty, but her charm, sex appeal and one-liners made her a Hollywood superstar.   Her unforgettable quotes, some of which still survive today, were forged by her own unique style.
• • Remember lines like, 'come up and see me some time' and 'is that a gun in your pocket...'?
• • But it wasn't all sex.  She also promised never to play 'mother parts, sad parts, dumb parts or a virtuous wife, betrayed or otherwise. I pity weak women, good or bad, but I can't like them. A woman should be strong either in her goodness or badness.'  . . .
• • Source: Introduction to the ABC episode that aired on Thursday, 9 February 2006 
• • 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 3636th
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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