Mae West: Wicked Wit

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 16 of 16 segments.
• • “Mae West: Don't Call Her Lady” • •  
• • Mae West: Packs a punch • •
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Mae explained, “Of course, I've had sweethearts. But they were a side issue."
• • Ben Maddox wrote: Mae West's professional line may not be the height of good taste, yet she is undoubtedly a great entertainer.

• • Ben Maddox wrote: Here in wholesome Hollywood, there are few actresses so bold as to court gossip. They've all cooled down but Mae.  
• • Ben Maddox wrote: She's a dynamite dame with wicked wit, and I think she packs an unforgettable punch.
• • Note: Though Picture Play would soon cease publication, Ben Maddox’s byline bulldozed through the Tinseltown circuit; he contributed to Screenland, became Photoplay’s columnist, etc. His byline brought readers fresh coverage of all the top screen stars, male and female.
• • Cary Grant: Ben Maddox was a “tame” reporter • •
• • Note: In autumn 1935, Mae West’s co-stars Cary Grant and Randolph Scott were interviewed by Ben Maddox. The actors gave a house warming party after renting a beachside bachelor pad at 1018 Ocean Front Road in Santa Monica and invited Mr. Maddox. Cary Grant dubbed him a very “tame” journalist. But his soft-pedalled pieces were well-suited to what Paramount Pictures wanted to hear.
• • This article has now been concluded. Tell us if you enjoyed it.
• • Source: Picture Play; published in the issue dated for April 1933.
• • On Sunday, 4 April 1976 • •
• • On Sunday, 4 April 1976 Mae was a guest on CBS-TV. This would be her final televised appearance on a show called "Back Lot, USA" with the elfin host Dick Cavett. During this prime time program, the screen queen discussed her colorful life and performed a long, elaborately staged medley of her jaunty 1930s hits.
• • Mae West was 72 years old at the time.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Ah, Mae West's wit! An amusing but forgotten bit of movie dialogue from "Goin' to Town" that also involves the lips is Cleo Borden's snappy command: "Cigarette me, Cossack!"
• • Mae West directed the line to Ivan Valadov (played by Russian actor Ivan Lebedeff).
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Nudity in a motion picture detracts from your face and personality. That’s why I never show my ankles.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Motion Picture Herald mentioned Mae West.
• • "Klondike Annie" ― Mae  West, Victor McLaglen • •
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: A report in the paper says that the county attorney of Lancaster county, Nebraska, has applied for a court order restraining the theatres of Lincoln from showing Mae West in "Klondike Annie."  
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: Lincoln, Nebraska always was kinda funny that way.  
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: If they will team Mae up in a vaudeville act with Aimee “Scrapie” McPherson, we'll betcha it will draw the spotlight position on every vaudeville show in the land. …
• • Source: Motion Picture Herald; published on Saturday, 4 April 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 4,964th 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 1933 • •
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