Mae West: Exotic Stuff

It was on Wednesday, 21 February 1940 when MAE WEST received generous, supportive coverage by a United Press columnist. Alas, once again the author of “Diamond Lil” was in court. Here’s the second of 3 segments.
• • “They Done Her Wrong” • • 
• • By Frederick C. Othman in Hollywood (U.P.) • •
• • Asked for $100,000 • • 
• • Miss West, around whom was an aura of French perfume, which she characterized as "very exotic stuff,” said she asked Paramount Studios for $100,000 for the "Diamond Lil” story, but could get only $25,000 because the moviemakers were afraid of the censors. When the picture was made six years ago, la West was fresh out of jail [sic] In New York, where she and her entire cast had been arrested for giving an Indecent performance.
• • The moviemakers were jittery, all right, but they gave her the $23,000., washed the jokes, and manufactured a play-it-safe film version of "She Done Him Wrong."
• • In one month flat, however, this became one of the most resounding financial successes in talkie history. It started ladies everywhere wearing curves, turned the "Little Chickadee" into a top-flight movie star who got $100,000 per performance thereafter and sent Mark Linder to court seeking damages.
• • A dozen silver foxes made her cape • •  . . .
• • Part 3 of three parts will appear tomorrow.
• • Source: United Press column; published and syndicated on Wednesday, 21 February 1940.
• • On Saturday, 11 January 1919 in Judge Magazine • •
• • The iconic publication Judge featured three hot topics in their weekend issue dated 11 January 1919 — — vaudevillian Mae West, the illustrator John Held Jr, and the Armistice. The cover announced "War ends!" Judge's editorial office at that time was 225 Fifth Avenue, NYC.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Like scores of other film players, buxom Mae West finds the lure of the footlights is irresistible. Now in New York City, the famous Diamond Lil of stage and screen announces that shortly she will produce and act in a Broadway production of her own.
• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: “When the evening of the broadcast came, I changed only one line. "The script had me calling the snake 'long, black and slimy.' But I changed that line to read 'long, black and slinky.'
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The United Press mentioned Mae West.
• • Frederick C. Othman wrote: Mae West's burly bodyguard, Johnny Indrisano, has joined the Marines and promises to bring her a Jap . . .
• • Source: United Press column; published and syndicated on Wednesday, 4 November 1942

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 13th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past thirteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,800 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started thirteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3873rd 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 1937 • •
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