Mae West: Belle’s Toll

It was the MAE WEST motion picture, “Belle of the Nineties” [1934] that helped Joe Breen consolidate his position as an administrator, according to the authors of “The Dame in the Kimono.” What a fascinating insider’s look. This is Part 9 of 9 parts, the last excerpt from this book.
• • Mae West: A new uproar over “objectionable pictures” • •  
• • Leff and Simmons wrote: But although the New York censors—not Breen—had forced the change, the Production Code administrator had learned a lesson.
• • Leff and Simmons wrote: Leniency was condemned, not rewarded.

• • Leff and Simmons wrote: “Belle of the Nineties” would become the last Mae West picture to escape the full force of the Breen scissors.
• • Leff and Simmons wrote: While Paramount snipped at “Belle of the Nineties,” Breen watched the Catholic furor mount.
• • Leff and Simmons wrote: According to a midwestern newspaper, “the general sentiment against objectionable pictures has reached the point where intelligent theatre men [exhibitors] are beginning to take stock of the situation.”
• • This excerpt from the book has now been concluded. Did you enjoy it? Tell us if you've read the whole book already.
• • Source: “The Dame in the Kimono: Hollywood, Censorship, and the Production Code” by Leonard J. Leff and Jerold L. Simmons [University Press of Kentucky, Paperback; 6 July 2001].
• • On Saturday, 21 April 1934 • •

• • Mae West on the front page of "Picture Show Magazine" thrilled her British fans.
• • On Monday, 21 April 1975 • •
• • Released in a hardcover edition on Monday, 21 April 1975 was "Mae West on Sex, Health and E.S.P." ―  ―  written by Mae West.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Change of bill at the New York Paramount Theatre takes place on Thursday again this week.
• • Mae West in person on the stage and the Mae West film, "She Done Him Wrong," are the chief portions of the program.
• • Stage show also will include Georges Metaxa, Cliff Edwards and others.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I always use gags and wisecracks to get away from the sentimental."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • National newspapers mentioned Mae West.
• • "Mae West Starts on Jail Term" • •
• • "Found Prison Inmates 'Very Interesting' on First Night" • •
• • The Scranton Times wrote: Shortly before the prison van arrived, Miss West sent an answer by a keeper to the written questions of reporters who inquired how she felt and how she had enjoyed her first (sic) night in prison. "Not so bad," wrote the actress. "The inmates were very interesting. Will have enough material for ten shows. I didn't think so much of the bed." ...
• • Note the words “the prison van.”
• • Note: “The stage play “Courting Mae West” dramatizes Mae’s prison trials.
• • Source: The Scranton Times; published on Wednesday, 20 April 1927
• • 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 4,977th 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 • • in 1934 • •
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