Mae West: Aroused Enthusiasm

Depending on the person who wielded the pen, the fan magazine Picture Play could worship MAE WEST in fragrant ink or scold her. A year before publishing Dorothy Herzog’s skeptical sourness [May 1934], the zine printed a much more enthusiastic feature by Ben Maddox [April 1933] emphasizing Mae’s work ethic and down-to-earth side. This is Part 14 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: Get the public talking • •
• • Ben Maddox wrote: "The way to be a theatrical success is to get the public talking about you," said Mae West.

• • Ben Maddox wrote: "If they're whispering and gossiping about you before the curtain rises, your entrance has a big build-up. I always used to put things in the first night that I knew would have to be cut later. It sure aroused enthusiasm about me," explained Mae West.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Her desire to give you your money's worth was demonstrated by a brief conversation she had with a song writer who came in for a minute.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: "I'm going to do those songs for the picture again. The front office liked them, but I had to sing without rehearsal.”
• • Mae West: Time to rehearse • • …   
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Thursday, 31 March 1927 • •
• • On Thursday, 31 March 1927 it was reported in The New York Times that Sergeant Patrick Keneally of the Midtown Vice Squad, whose testimony was heavily flavored with a thick Irish brogue, quoted long passages from Mae's play "Sex" from memory.

• • Moreover, "frequently, under the instructions of the Prosecutor," explained The Times, "assuming poses to demonstrate the manner in which members of the cast delivered their lines," Sgt Keneally gave the jury box quite a show.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Lew Garvey told us Mae West alternates her ranch visits with occasional calls on her sister Beverly who lives in a cozy hillside home in the fashionable Los Feliz district.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Stay young, ladies — — even if you have to change your birth dates in the family Bible. Have your face lifted if necessary."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A newspaper mentioned Mae West and an extortion plot in 1943.
• • "Blonde Poses as Actress" • •
• • "Teenage Extortioner Trapped" • •
• • On Wednesday, 31 March 1943, Australians were reading about an extortion plot that targeted Mae West and Betty Grable.
• • The criminal (who turned out to be star-struck teen) demanded $100,000 from Miss West. There was an investigation and he got caught instead.
• • New York, March 30 (A.A.P.) — — How a blonde impersonating the film actress Betty Grable was hired to trap a would-be extortioner was described in the Hollywood Federal Court when Russell Alexanderson, l8, pleaded guilty to a charge of having demanded 130,000 dollars (£40,625) from Miss Grable and the actress Mae West.
• • Alexanderson demanded $100,000 dollars from Miss West.
• • The Judge postponed sentence until April 5th. ...
• • Source: Associated Press, rpt in The Sydney Morning Herald; published on Wednesday, 31 March 1943
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,962nd 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1926 and in 1928 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Mae’s Mannerisms

Depending on the person who wielded the pen, the fan magazine Picture Play could worship MAE WEST in fragrant ink or scold her. A year before publishing Dorothy Herzog’s skeptical sourness [May 1934], the zine printed a much more enthusiastic feature by Ben Maddox [April 1933] emphasizing Mae’s work ethic and down-to-earth side. This is Part 13 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: Very little formal schooling • •
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Her schooling was evidently fragmentary.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: When queried about it she answered, "Oh, you mean where did I learn to write? Well, I had a tutor to teach me writing and reading and I studied German, too."
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Mae West said that her playwriting is a direct but unconventional procedure.  
• • Mae West: I gradually adopted mannerisms for “the Mae West type” • •

• • Ben Maddox wrote: "I don't bother with any arty approach. I just sit down at my typewriter [sic] and write the kind of a show I'd like to see myself. I evolve the main character around the Mae West type that I've created. I've gradually adopted mannerisms and ways that folks like.”
• • Note: In many other interviews, Mae admitted it's her secretary who does the typing.
• • Mae West: Get the public talking • • …   
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Wednesday, 30 March 1927 • •
• • By Wednesday, 30 March 1927, twelve male jurors had been selected for Mae West's "Sex" trial set for Jefferson Market Court on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village. Mae hired four attorneys to represent her. Her defense team was headed by Harold Spielberg, Herman "Beansie" Rosenthal's former associate. Trial coverage appeared in the N.Y. Herald Tribune, The N.Y. Times, Variety, and elsewhere.
• • The play “Courting Mae West” dramatizes Mae’s trials in NYC.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • It takes more than merely acting to become a national figure — an emblem — which, strange and contradictory as it may seem, is exactly what Mae West is.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Sex is just like a small business. You gotta protect it, watch over it. It's a matter of timing."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A California daily mentioned Mae West.
• • "Flash! Mae West Turns Maternal!" • •
• • "I'd make a real good mother," says the star of "I'm No Angel" . . . and, without ever curving away from the subject one iota, goes straight to the point in a pithy and altogether surprising interview, which has been obtained exclusively for the enjoyment of readers of the forthcoming Los Angeles Sunday Times. ...
• • Source: San Bernardino Sun; published on Friday, 30 March 1934
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,961st 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Be a Riot

Depending on the person who wielded the pen, the fan magazine Picture Play could worship MAE WEST in fragrant ink or scold her. A year before publishing Dorothy Herzog’s skeptical sourness [May 1934], the zine printed a much more enthusiastic feature by Ben Maddox [April 1933] emphasizing Mae’s work ethic and down-to-earth side. This is Part 12 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: My agent said I’d be a riot • •
• • Ben Maddox wrote: “My agent said, 'Mae, you ought to go to Hollywood. You'd be a riot in pictures and make a lot of money!' I had nineteen costume changes every evening in my last play and was feeling pretty worn out. So I took the offer."

• • Ben Maddox wrote: Though there is no financial advantage [sic] for her, Mae West is glad to gain a larger audience.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Her stage debut occurred at six.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Mae West hails from Brooklyn and is neither old nor young. She's ageless.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: "I joined a stock company when I was six," [sic] she recalled.  
• • Ben Maddox wrote: You can imagine Mae West being quite efficient even at that tender age. "I was in it for five years,” Mae West recalled. “Then I went into vaudeville, plays, and into my own productions."
• • Mae West: Very little formal schooling • • …   
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Saturday, 29 March 1930 • •
• • As reported by The N.Y. Times on Saturday, 29 March 1930, the "Pleasure Man" trial presided over by Justice Amedeo Bertini was not without its own impromptu entertainment value. Called to the stand by Nathan Burkan, cast member Chuck Connors II sang the controversial "She's the Queen of the Beaches" for Judge Bertini and the jurors. Though somber and bereaved, Mae West had to stuff a black handkerchief in her mouth to keep from laughing as Chuck Connors, "clasping his hands together, crooned the song."
• • The stage play "Courting Mae West" covers both of Mae's trials in New York City.
• • On Sunday, 29 March 1936 • •
• • "Has Mae West Done Herself Wrong?" was the intriguing headline teasing readers of the Atlanta Journal Magazine in their issue dated for Sunday, 29 March 1936.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • New comedy LPs released this month include packages by Mae West and the late W. C. Fields.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I never get friendly with the men on the set."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on a TV show mentioned Mae West, who was their guest star.
• • "Guest Shot Indicates Mae Needs Own Program" • •
• • Hollywood (UPI) Mae West turned up Sunday night on CBS-TV’s “Mr. Ed” series, and made one yearn for her to have a situation comedy of her own as a spoofing antidote to the many drab females on television.
• • She once helped save a movie company, and there’s no reason she couldn’t make the television mouse roar a little.
• • “Mr. Ed” is about a talking horse. Sunday night, Miss West, in a rare video appearance, was brought into the show by having her ask the horse’s owner (Alan Young) to redesign her stables in French Provincial style.  ...
• • Source: UPI; published on Tuesday, 24 March 1964
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,960th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Picture Play cover in 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Pasadena Fights

Depending on the person who wielded the pen, the fan magazine Picture Play could worship MAE WEST in fragrant ink or scold her. A year before publishing Dorothy Herzog’s skeptical sourness [May 1934], the zine printed a much more enthusiastic feature by Ben Maddox [April 1933] emphasizing Mae’s work ethic and down-to-earth side. This is Part 11 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: Enjoying the Hollywood sunshine • •

• • Ben Maddox wrote: No other woman has ever combined all these jobs.  
• • Ben Maddox wrote: However, regularly one night a week she attends the prize fights in Pasadena, presenting a Mae West cup [sic] to the winner of the main event.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: "I like Hollywood," she explained to me, "because of the sunshine. Gosh, this is my first view of it in ages! Pictures will mean an easier life for me. Last summer when I came here I had my first vacation in six years."
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Mae added, "I hadn't thought of the movies before because I was a big success on the stage. Then Paramount kept after me for 'Night After Night' and bought 'Diamond Lil’, my play.”
• • Mae West: My agent said I’d be a riot • • …   
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Saturday, 28 March 1936 • •
• • It was a jolly weekend in Princeton, NJ. The Arcade Theatre announced (on page 3) that it would be offering "Klondike Annie" starring Mae West today, which was Saturday, 28 March 1936.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hollywood star Mae West was invited to party with the King of England during his jubilee in 1935.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Don't eye oilier men when you're with an escort."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Massachusetts newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • Central Square Theatre • •
• • “Mae Day” comes early this year, but we are referring to Mae West’s days which start on Saturday. The days are 4 in number and the occasion is “Klondike Annie” with Victor McLaglen as the conqueror of the “West," in a breezy story of San Francisco’s Barbary Coast and the fabulous Alaskan Gold Rush.
• • On the same program is the latest Zane Grey story, “Nevada” with Larry “Buster” Crabbe, Kathleen Burke, Monte Blue, and Raymond Hatton. ...
• • Source: Cambridge Sentinel (Massachusetts); published on Saturday, 28 March 1936
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,959th 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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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • personal appearance tour in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: No Mannish Garb

Depending on the person who wielded the pen, the fan magazine Picture Play could worship MAE WEST in fragrant ink or scold her. A year before publishing Dorothy Herzog’s skeptical sourness [May 1934], the zine printed a much more enthusiastic feature by Ben Maddox [April 1933] emphasizing Mae’s work ethic and down-to-earth side. This is Part 10 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: Hot-Cha shows • •
• • Ben Maddox wrote: That was when police were trying to lock her up for giving too hot-cha shows.

• • Ben Maddox wrote: She wears her own blond hair in a waved, boyish bob and dresses in very feminine fashion. No mannish garb for this canny Geo.  
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Her one eccentricity is her fondness for big diamonds.  
• • Ben Maddox wrote: She generally sparkles like a Christmas tree.
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Since she's been in Hollywood she has lived in one of our swankiest apartments.  Writing, casting, directing, and starring in her plays require all the energy she can muster.  
• • Mae West: Enjoying the Hollywood sunshine • • … 
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Friday, 25 March 1977 • •
• • From Monday, 6 December 1976 until Friday, 25 March 1977 — — this was the shooting schedule in Hollywood for "Sextette," starring eighty-three-year-old movie star, Mae West in her final screen role [a citation from the book "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the Who 1958 — 1978" written by Andrew Neill, Matthew Kent, Roger Daltrey, Chris Stamp].
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West is cast as a Western cattle rancher who inherits a small fortune when her partner-to-be in matrimony dies suddenly. She decides to become a lady, hence the title "Now I'm a Lady."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Censors again."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Fan magazine writers often compared movie stars to Mae West.
• • “Sleeping  Beauty” by Malcolm H. Oettinger  • •
• • Interviewing Miss Elissa Landi [1904 ―1948], I wondered whether she employed the same method in transcribing her thoughts to the printed page that Mae West described in Picture Play a few months ago.
• • Mae West, the diamond duchess, uses two dictaphones, a secretary, and a handy man on special words. …
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for March 1934
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,958th 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/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • illustration by A. Davis • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest