Mae West: An Inspiration

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 19.
• • Why doesn’t Mae West have a fan club? • •
• • JILL WATTS: But something else occurs to me.  Last semester I showed “She Done Him Wrong” and “Some Like It Hot” in my class.  The students loved Mae west and were really inspired by her.   They found Marilyn Monroe interesting but not at all empowering — in fact, some were really embarrassed by her. 
• • JW: Oddly, perhaps that is why Marilyn Monroe has such a following.  Monroe is far less threatening than Mae.  Although Monroe’s characters often are empowered in ways (sometimes that they don’t know) and use their sex to get what they want, there is a vulnerability and coquettishness to her portrayals.  Even though she was active much earlier, West was far more modern than Monroe. 
• • Marilyn Monroe vs Mae West • •  . . .
• • 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, 27 August 1934 • •
• • Film Daily wrote: About $15,000 in presents was passed around by Mae West to those who helped in the retakes of her new Paramount picture, "Belle of the Nineties."
• • Source: Article: "Mae West Plays Santa Claus'' written by the West Coast Bureau of The Film Daily, Hollywood, for Film Daily; published on 27 August 1934.
• • The L.A. Times printed a similar item on Monday, 27 August 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • Mae West enjoyed her favorite sport by attending the Friday night fights at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Some former boxers Mae helped initiate into the silver screen trade were Joe Rivers, Joe Ritchie, and Jim Flynn (who once knocked out Jack Dempsey).
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My corseted silhouette — — what is it but a return to normal, the ladies' way of saying the depression is over?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An item on the Shubert's next attractions mentioned Mae West.
• • Billboard wrote: Mae West will be the opener for the Shubert, coming September 2nd for a 3-week stay in "Come On Up." "The Fortune Teller" is supposed to follow, coming from the West Coast, with Helen Hayes. ...
• • Source: Article: "Mae West Opens Shubert" written by staff for Billboard Magazine ("Legitimate" on page 44); published on Saturday, 24 August 1946
• • 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 4032nd 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 • • ringside in 1935 • •
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