Mae West: Biggest Taboo

MAE WEST is introduced to a new audience whenever a documentary film pops up. Mark Kennedy analyzes the most recent PBS biography. Was it a hit or a miss, in his opinion? This is Part 8 of 8.
• • PBS invites you to come up sometime and see a Mae West doc • •
• • “Mae West: Dirty Blonde,” the first major documentary film on this cultural figure, makes its world premiere Tuesday on PBS, an attempt to look beyond West's gowns, curves and jewels.
• • Mae West: A Sexualized Mature Woman Is a Taboo • •

• • Mark Kennedy wrote: “She was pushing the envelope in so many different facets of society. But the one that still exists — the taboo that still exists — is that sexualized older woman that we’re still sort of all made uncomfortable by,” Marchesi said.
• • Mark Kennedy wrote: The filmmakers hope viewers will be spurred to enjoy a fresh look at West’s films and really take a look at a woman being subversive in plain sight.
• • Mark Kennedy wrote: “One of the things that was just so astounding for us to discover was how much strategy and messaging there was underneath all of that,” Marchesi said. “I hope this will inspire people to go back and look at her movies because there’s a lot more there than just wisecracks.”
• • This has now been concluded.
• • Source: Associated Press (syndicated content); published on Monday, 15 June 2020.
• • On Saturday, 2 April 1927 in The N.Y. York Times • •
• • Defense attorney Norman Schloss rounded up a number of theatre buffs who had seen "Sex" and applauded. A NYC pyjama manufacturer Harry M. Geiss told the court that he "had seen 'Sex' twice and found nothing obscene about it," noted The N.Y. Times in their weekend edition for 2 April 1927.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Impressionable young people see the delightfully wicked Mae West grandly rewarded for her naughtiness in "She Done Him Wrong." What will be their reaction?
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I don't like myself, I'm crazy about myself."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on Paramount's publicity machine mentioned Mae West.
• • When Paramount Pictures released its first motion picture starring Mae West, they spared no expense promoting it. Movie managers were given a press book with several "catch phrases" to use.
• • In San Bernadino, California, "She Done Him Wrong" was opening in early April. The local newspaper used this tag line: "Lou was no lady — — but she knew what she wanted. Starring Mae West."
• • Source: San Bernadino Sun; published on Sunday, 2 April 1933
• • 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 4,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,704th 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 • • by Diane Arbus • •
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