Mae West: A Harder Time

Jill Watts, biographer of MAE WEST, distinguished professor at CSUSM, and talented author of books on Father Divine [1879—1965] and Hattie McDaniel [1895—1952], which has inspired a bio-pic about the Oscar winner, has kindly consented to an exclusive interview with The Mae West Blog. This is Part 20.
• • Marilyn Monroe vs Mae West • •
• • JILL WATTS:  Mae West, who scripted the characters she wanted to play, was far more modern than Marilyn Monroe, who (like most actresses) was handed a script.
• • JW: Mae’s characters were always in control, there were no weaknesses.  She was always smart and proud of it.  So Monroe fits expectations more than Mae.  Perhaps with this generation of #METOO young women, Mae will make her come back and her following will grow again.  I know my students were completely sold on Mae West.
• • JW: But I also think that women who break the barriers, which Mae West did and continues to do so effectively, have a much harder time both in their careers and in the public eye.  I think women who reinforce traditional expectations tend to still be rewarded. 
• • JW: Even though Monroe’s sexuality was untraditional, overall the messages of her characters underscored many of the stereotypes of women.  Hence, in a way, Monroe is safe.  But Mae West was and is still very dangerous.
• • This exciting interview with Prof. Jill Watts will be continued on the next post.
• • Recommended Reading: “Mae West: An Icon in Black and White” by Jill Watts [Oxford University Press; paperback edition, 2003]; 400 pages.
• • On Monday, 28 August 1939 • •
• • Life Magazine's issue (dated 28 August 1939) included a half-page photo of Mae West.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • Interviewing Mae West is rather like talking with the Sphinx or warming up to the Mona Lisa. You are so filled with awe at conversing with one of the Wonders of the World, and with admiration of the ultimate in symbolic sex sorcery, that addlement may easily set in.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:   "Men are my hobby. If I ever got married, I'd have to give it up.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Los Angeles daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Mae West play, Diamond ___.
• • Source: Daily Crossword Clue in The L.A. Times; published on Sunday, 28 August 2011
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,000 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4033rd 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 • • "The Heat Is On" in 1943 • •
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