Mae West: Uncertain Identity

A cunning cartoon showed MAE WEST yanking G.B. Shaw's beard. If only the two controversial writers could chat during Shaw Fest, which is presenting “Sex” in Canada. Toronto drama critic Karen Fricker has critiqued the play. This is Part 5 of 9 segments.
• • Shaw Festival gives Mae West’s 1926 play “Sex” a thrillingly modern sensibility • •
• • when the actors clear the suitcases away • •
• • Karen Fricker wrote: At several points in the show when the actors clear the suitcases away, a bloodstained plastic floor covering is revealed.
• • Karen Fricker wrote: A number of meanings are suggested: all the action could be taking place in a police precinct or a crime scene, perhaps even a boxing ring. The different times and the suitcases gesture to multiple locations and mobility, one of the play’s important themes. Certainly the in-the-round seating implicates audiences in what’s happening: we look at other spectators and they look at us, particularly when actors enter and exit up and down the aisles as sometimes happens.

• • Karen Fricker wrote: I’d wager that Hinton-Davis is keeping the location open on purpose, to establish and underscore the theme of uncertain (queer, fluid) identity.
• • Margy LaMont as early feminist? • • ... 
• • This review by Karen Fricker will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Opinion, Toronto Star; published on Monday, 8 July 2019.
• • On Monday, 16 October 1939 • •
• • When they were collaborating on a screenplay, both Mae West and W. C. Fields signed a Universal Films contract. The document is dated Monday, 16 October 1939.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • An article about the death of Roger Richman mentioned Mae West. He lined his pockets for years with easy profits although he never did one positive thing for the legacy of Mae West nor did he honor the terms of her Will that left 1/3 of her estate to Actors Equity. He won't be missed by any Mae-mavens.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "The nerve of a brass monkey."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Patch in California mentioned Mae West.
• • Paul Zollo wrote: Unlike Shirley Temple and other child stars, Jane Withers' transition into older roles succeeded, starting in 1939 when she had her first screen kiss in “Boy Friend.” In 1941, she became one of the first women (after Mae West) to star in a movie she wrote herself, “Small Town Deb.” . . .
• • Source: Patch; published on Friday,10 June 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 15th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,300 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4324th 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 • • "Sex" in a newspaper cartoon in 1926 • •
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