Mae West: So Far Removed

“Is MAE WEST Skidding on the Curves?” Asks Madame Sylvia, Photoplay's Beauty Editor, in the next issue. And her answer offers a wealth of practical advice to all women — young and old, fat and lean. Whether or not you're concerned over your own appearance, you'll thoroughly enjoy Madame Sylvia's keen, clear-cut comments in the November 1936 issue. This is Part 7.
• • Women did not resent Mae West — — at first • •
• • Sylvia wrote: Women liked Mae West in her first pictures. They didn't resent her because she was so far removed in physical type from the modern woman of today, that they figured she wouldn't be serious competition.
• • Sylvia wrote: Of course, many straight-laced souls said she was shocking. But even those occasionally put on dark glasses and sneaked around to the local Bijou to see the lady do her stuff. But women had no cause to be jealous, and they knew it. Sure — women go to see the above mentioned sirens, too, but how often do you hear them saying? "I can't stand Joan Crawford's mouth." Or they're laying bets that Harlow wears a wig. They delight in saying that Lombard seems so artificial and smug in her pictures.
• • Not what it used to be • •   . . .
• • “Is Mae West Skidding on the Curves?” will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Photoplay; published in the issue dated for November 1936.
• • Bugsy Siegel [28 February 1906 — 20 June 1947] • •
• • In 1928, Bugsy Siegel lived in same building as George Raft, "Feets" Edson, and Mae West. Bang bang! The building is a lot calmer now but back in the speakeasy era it was not known for quiet nights.
• • On Saturday, 20 June 2009 in Iowa • •
• • Mae West's play "The Drag" was back onstage on Saturday night, 20 June 2009, thanks to Dreamwell Theatre in Iowa.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • In 2012, Angie Bowie released her book, “Lipstick Legends.” Angie told The Village Voice, "It's about drag queens and other people who inspired me — — like Liberace and Mae West."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I was aware of the changing times and I studied audiences and acts to discover all the secrets of show business.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Old Hollywood's Best Kept Fashion Secrets • •
• • Vienna Vernose wrote: Singer-actress Mae West was known for her larger-than-life personality on the Vaudeville circuit during the early 1900s. That same personality transcended to motion pictures when she became a Hollywood sensation during the '30s. The actress had a few secrets to her look, including lots of coconut oil and some excessive footwear. West (at a mere 5 feet tall) wore customized Pepenie double-decker Mary Jane heels made in Los Angeles, adding around nine-and-a-half inches of height. When worn with a long gown, she swore this custom shoe gave her the curvy silhouette for which she was known.  …
• • Source: CR Fashion Book; published on Friday, 14 June 2019
• • 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 4,200 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4239th 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 • • with Liberace in the 1950s • •
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