Mae West: Secretary Slave

For six months, a Canadian fan worked with MAE WEST in California as her “secretary-companion-slave” and all around general adorer. In his book ‘Outrageous Misfits,’ Brian Bradley explores their relationship. What began as an intimate friendship would go up in flames.  This is Part 1 of 9 parts.
• • Brian Bradley wrote:  In this excerpt from  Bradley's book “Outrageous Misfits,” a young Craig is just beginning to realize what he really wants to do with is life is be a female impersonator.

• • Brian Bradley wrote: Craig Russell worked as Mae West’s personal secretary for about six months in 1967, though he said it was longer. He would also have a little more to say about his purpose. He said he was her “secretary-companion-slave and all around general adorer.”
• • Brian Bradley wrote: Put up to live in her beach house in Santa Monica, California, Craig Russell was tasked with handling Mae West’s phone calls, organizing and answering fan mail, helping with her writing, transcribing her dictations, and rebuffing media requests.
• • Though reclusive, Mae liked to appear a Hollywood player • • ...
• • Brian Bradley's book preview will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Toronto Star; published on Sunday, 25 October 2020.
• • On Friday, 17 December 1937 • •
• • Propriety of Mae West Broadcast Questioned • •
• • New York — — Mae West's broadcast with Don Ameche on the Charlie McCarthy Hour (sic) last Sunday night is to bring a statement from the National Broadcasting Company, it was indicated late today.
• • The reason, therefore, centers in the protests that have been pouring in by mail and otherwise. These haven't been counted, but they are described to be as "a lot." ... The script was an Adam-and-Eve comedy. ...
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West must be an exceedingly shrewd business woman to know how to play upon all the catch words, sure-fire properties, and the thrilling situations to which the majority of humans react.
• • Take her recent picture. She gets off on the right foot by calling it "I'm No Angel." Great knowledge of human psychology that.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "The men in my life walked around stiff-legged, watching each other like animals at a waterhole, ready to leap at each others' throats."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article by UPI discussed the death of Mae West.
• • Friends of Mae West gathered today for an invitation-only funeral • •
• • UPI wrote: HOLLYWOOD — — Friends of Mae West gathered today for a private invitation-only funeral for the legendary screen siren who left her leading men speechless and taught Americans to smile about sex.  . . .
• • Source: UPI Archives; published on Tuesday, 25 November 1980
• • 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 4,600 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,628th 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 Craig Russell in 1967 • •
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