Mae West: Subtext, Secrecy

“In real life, I’m very boring, so I made up the walk and the talk,” said MAE WEST.
• • British freelancer Dr. Sabina Stent, whose area of study included “Women artists, Surrealism, and unconventional females,” penned a fascinating essay on Mae’s customized double-decker footwear. This is Part 10 of 27 parts.
• • “Get the Idea, Boys? Mae West’s Shoes” • •
• • "you don’t have to have feet to be a dancer” • •
• • Sabina Stent wrote: Bill Barton, the manager, announces her this way: “Over there, over there, Tira, the beautiful Tira, dancing, singing marvel of the age, supreme flower of feminine pulchritude. The girl who discovered you don’t have to have feet to be a dancer” — a line filled with both subtext and secrecy.

Mae West's T-straps, 1930s

• • Sabina Stent wrote: West’s entrance as Tira is every bit as glittering as her gown. She saunters on stage, hand on hip, purring to her leering audience. “No wisecracks, now,” she says. “A penny for your thoughts … get the idea, boys … ya follow me?” The power of burlesque, the dance of illusion. West gives them the show they want while remaining entirely in control.
• • Mae West plays this gullible crowd at their own game • • …
• • This long essay by Sabina Stent will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Majuscule, Issue 2; posted in December 2019.
• • On Sunday, 1 January 1978 • •
• • A review of the motion picture "Sextette," starring Mae West, was printed in Variety, the issue dated for Sunday, 1 January 1978.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hollywood reporter Aileen St. John Brenon wrote: Mae West never forgets a friend nor a kindness, and seems to have an inexhaustible memory for the faces of those who have crossed her pathway in her long journey from Brooklyn to Broadway.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Good women are no fun. The only good woman I can recall in history is Betsy Ross. And all she ever made was a flag."
• • Born on January 1st, Philadelphia native Betsy Ross [1 January 1752 — 30 January 1836] was a woman who was given credit for sewing the first American flag; her design incorporated stars representing the first 13 colonies. Heavens to Betsy!
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Daily Bruin mentioned Mae West.
• • Event honors iconic actress Mae West for cultural impact • •
• • Performer remembered for working against stereotype regarding women, sex in films • •
• • Kelly Anderson wrote: Although many students of our era may not be completely familiar with stage and film icon Mae West, practically everyone has heard a sample of her work without even realizing it. Mae West famously delivered the clever quips like, “Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?” and “When I’m good, I’m very good. When I’m bad, I’m better.” . . .
• • Source: Daily Bruin; published on Sunday, 22 February 2009
• • 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 4,379th 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 • • silver platform shoes worn by Mae West • •
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