Mae West: Joseff, Judy, Mae

MAE WEST wore it first.
• • For her 1943 musical comedy, “The Heat's On” [Columbia, 1943), Mae West had a onscreen finale that showed her adorned with a boatload of jewelry including a simulated diamond crossover necklace suspending large Art Deco style dress clip brooches.

• • The pendants were originally mounted by Joseff to a shorter chain for Mae’s costume.
• • Three years later, Joseff retooled this piece. The pendants were re-mounted to a much longer crossover chain and worn by Judy Garland in “Ziegfeld Follies” [MGM, 1946].
• • In November 2017, the necklace was sold in an auction called “Joseff of Hollywood: Treasures from the Vault” and a lucky buyer paid $18,750.

• • Curiously, despite significant alterations, this jewelry was billed “Judy Garland and Mae West Worn Necklace.”
• • On Saturday, 12 August 1944 • •
• • According to an article in Billboard Magazine [The Billboard, Saturday, 12 August 1944], Mike Todd and Mae West shared the financial burden of mounting this costume drama — — $150,000, not an inconsiderable sum during the World War II era. And though she often hired inexperienced actors and actresses for the minor roles, Mae West sought out the best costume people and best set designers.
• • Despite the savage reviews that would greet the star's own efforts, the critics heaped praise on the production itself, calling the scenery "as beautiful as Howard Bay's best" and rhapsodizing over lavish details such as the fireplace set in Count Mirovich's apartment and the decor of the ghoulish "secret room" of Ivan VI where a murder occurs.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hush-Hush Magazine (Vol. 2, No. 8, August 1956 issue) contained the article "Show Biz Buzzer: Mae West versus Marilyn Monroe."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My advice for Marilyn Monroe was:  Forget about the men; win over the ladies. The men won't forget you, anyway — — not the way you walk."  
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A memoir mentioned Mae West.
• • Scott Thorson wrote: He [Liberace] had no trouble getting all the dates he wanted and he gloried in escorting well-known entertainers to parties, getting his picture taken with Susan Hayward, Gale Storm, Rosemary Clooney, Mae West, and Judy Garland. Mae was the only one of his so-called lady friends I actually met.
• • Scott Thorson wrote: As they say in Texas, Mae was a hoot! She and Lee were an unpredictable twosome who enjoyed trying to outdo each other’s outrageousness.” …
• • Source: “Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace” by Scott Thorson [USA: Tantor Media, Incorporated; 1st edition; 10 May 2013]
• • 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 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,058th 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 • • necklace by Joseff of Hollywood • •
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