Mae West: Underdog at Heart

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 18.
• • where female friendships were forged • •
• • JILL WATTS: It seems like her friendships with women were forged with those who had backgrounds or struggles that resonated with her personal history.  One thing I do know, generally Mae liked underdogs and always considered herself one.
• • MW BLOG: QUESTION #6: There are numerous fan clubs for Marilyn Monroe, etc.  So why do you suppose there are no Mae West Fan Clubs in existence?
• • JILL WATTS: ANSWER #6: Another interesting question. That is something that I hadn’t considered before.  I guess there could be numerous reasons. 
• • JW: First, Mae had been gone from the scene for years. Her heyday was in the 1930s, although she remained professional active up until really late in life. 
• • JW: Second, Dolly Dempsey was really the keeper of the flame and had Mae’s blessing in terms of running her fan club.  She passed away since I finished my book.
• • Why doesn’t Mae West have a fan club? • •  . . .
• • 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 Wednesday, 24 August 1921 • •

• • With "The Mimic World of 1921," the Shuberts had hoped for a big hit and especially since this revue was inaugurating the family's new roof theatre that featured a restaurant and a promenade overlooking Central Park.
• • Mae West wore a daring black velvet dress onstage, "cut at either side to display her bare hips," wrote Women's Wear [Wednesday, 24 August 1921], quaking under such a sartorial shock. Jack Dempsey must have liked what he saw because he went to Mae's dressing room on opening night — — and the two hit it off big-time.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • "Mae West Type of Posture Is Hit by Doctor" was a health how-to, informing readers that Mae's posture and the "society slouch" for women, and the military carriage for men, were condemned as menaces to health by Dr. Olive B. Williams of Worcester, Mass.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I am captive to myself.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • UPI mentioned Mae West.
• • A thought for the day: In the movie "Klondike Annie," Mae West said, "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." . . .
• • Source: The Almanac from UPI; published on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 
• • 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 4031st 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 1921 • •
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