Mae West: Softer Beds

When MAE WEST left Welfare Island, Warden Henry O. Schleth called newspaper reporters aside and said: “She’s a fine woman, boys. A great character.” He explained: "No exceptions whatever were made in her case and she didn't ask for any special favors — — outside of the underwear."
• • By Mae's own account, they got along and often dined together. After supper, Henry Schleth often took the actress for a drive.  Let's hear Mae West describe him herself.  This is Part 2 of 2.
• • “Ten Days and $500, the Experiences of a Broadway Star in Jail” by Mae West • •
• • I dropped the subject and began to find fault with the place.
• • I asked to be sent back to Jefferson Market Court [sic].
• • Editor: Mae West meant to write “sent back to Jefferson Jail.”
• • The warden registered surprise at my request and said I would like this place better, because the air was healthier and his beds were so much softer. Well, he finally sold me on the idea of staying there. It was now around noon.

• • The warden assigned me to dusting the library. And I may add it wasn't much of a library as he had more than enough help in the laundry and in the mopping brigade and an oversupply of books. Furthermore, I would have been of little use to him in those duties, never having had any experience.
• • I guess the warden realized that.
• • He told the head matron to take me to lunch. Much to my surprise, it was in the warden's home. ...
• • Source: Liberty Magazine; published on Wednesday, 10 August 1927.
• • On Sunday, 23 September 1934 in The L.A. Times • •
• • An article argued for censorship of the type of motion picture made by Mae West and other bombshells. "Films Should Be Fit for Children to See" was printed in The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, 23 September 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Production on the motion picture "Myra Breckinridge" began in September — — on Tuesday, 23 September 1969 — — and Mae West (cast as Leticia Van Allen) received top billing.  Production concluded on 26 February 1970.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I did not change my way of life. I harmed no one. I had a philosophy, an idea of how to live fully and in my way.  I believed in it as fully and as strongly as I believed in being an American."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Associated Press mentioned Mae West.
• • “Greed Lures Visitors to Mae West's House” • •
• • Associated Press — The house in Van Nuys, Calif, is vacant these days, but according to Charlotte Gottenbos, who lives across the street, it has been receiving a steady stream of visitors. That's because the house once belonged to Mae West, but the visitors haven't been coming simply to pay homage to the legendary star who died last November at the age of 87.
• • Source: Daytona Beach Morning Journal;  published on Wednesday, 30 September 1981
• • 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 16th 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 4,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,567th 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 Warden Schleth in 1927 • •
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