Mae West: Sexually Exuberant Part

MAE WEST and her writings were front and center on New York City's cultural radar screen from August 12th — November 24th.
• • Drama critic Mark Dundas Wood came up to see Mae West's "Diamond Lil" and here are a few of his comments.

Juan Sebastian Cortes as Pablo Juarez

• • On BistroAwards.com, Mark Dundas Wood wrote: Part of the show's vitality can be attributed to its star, Darlene Violette, who also co-directed (with Dena Tyler). Violette lovingly impersonates West in the role, although she more closely resembles one or another of the Gabor sisters in their radiant prime. Violette gets the sexually exuberant part of Lil right, but she also brings out an oddly affecting cerebral dimension of the character. "What makes people good?" Lil wonders in one soliloquy, and Violette makes it seem as though the character had been sampling an anthology of World Philosophy back in her bordello-ish boudoir.
• • Mark Dundas Wood explained: LindaAnn Loschiavo has now reworked the play, restoring as much of the original's licentious fun as possible, for those of us who missed out on it back in 1928 or 1949.
• • Mark Dundas Wood noted: "Diamond Lil" provides a true star turn for Darlene Violette, just as it did for Mae West — — so much so, in fact, that many of the supporting characters often are lost in the shapely shadow of the leading lady. Still, Joanna Bonaro effectively portrays Lil's feisty Latina rival, Rita Christinia, as well as the Thelma Ritter-ish maid of all work, Frances. Juan Sebastian Cortes has fun as steamy Pablo Juarez, over whom Lil and Rita tangle. ...
• • Source: Reviews on BistroAwards.com [November 2013].
• • On Thursday, 26 November 1931 • •
• • The New York Herald Tribune reported on the intense displeasure to white Washingtonians when Mae West brought her Harlem play "The Constant Sinner" to D.C. where the local D.A. was Leo K. Rover. Leo roared about the profanity and the dances performed by the black cast. The D.A., apparently, had been telling the media he would "arrest the entire company of fifty one if another performance were given," noted the Herald Tribune on Thursday, 26 November 1931. Racism reared its head.
• • On Friday, 26 November 1954 • •
• • In a vintage catalogue that kept track of Decca's 78 rpm platters, it was listed that Mae West recorded "Frankie and Johnny" and the B-side "All of Me" [Decca # 29452] on these dates: Friday, 26 November 1954 and Monday, 29 November 1954.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • John Miljan and John Mack Brown were arguing next summer's bathing suit trend for women, when Mae West glided in.
• • "What do girls do with their bathing suits in the winter?" queried Dorothea Wieck. 
• • "Use 'em for book-marks," cracked Mae.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Keep outta my room! I've got to have some place that's all my own . . . where I can go and shut the door and be by m'self!"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The San Bernardino County Sun wrote: Mae West, that curvacious star of the shadow play, whose second picture, 'I'm No Angel,' is playing at the California theater. Cary Grant (left) is again the 'tall, dark and handsome' man of Mae's life.
• • Source: News Item: "Mae West Film Held Over" in The San Bernardino County Sun (page 9); published on Sunday, 26 November 1933
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2796th 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Diamond Lil" revival cast member
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC  Mae West

Mae West: Tribute on Tap

MAE WEST has been having a wonderful year in her hometown. Commemorative events brought her novels and stage plays back to the spotlight, to be enjoyed by fans old and new.
• • These events began on Monday, 12 August 2013 and will conclude on Sunday, 24 November 2013.
• • Don't miss the triple-play of Westian wonders scheduled in Manhattan from Friday through Sunday, each one quite different.
• • We hope to see you because there's something for everyone — — paid events and free events, things to do in Greenwich Village and in midtown, and each gold-dusted by Westian history.  Come up and see Mae.
• • "Diamond Lil" video  — —   http://youtu.be/cKsHhSXfJ7U
• • On Sunday, 21 November 1948 • •
• • It was on 30 October 1948 that Mae West signed an Actor's Equity Association Stock Jobbing Contract on Equity's letterhead in New York. The Broadway star of "Diamond Lil" was agreeing to a weekly salary of $2,500, and the play would be opening in Montclair, New Jersey in the month of November — — on Sunday, 21 November 1948.
• • Until 21 November 2009 in Chicago • •
• • Mae West's play "Sex" was shown in Chicago until 21 November 2009.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Warner Brothers even made a picture called "The Finger Man" which stars Jimmy Cagney as a former gangster who comes to Hollywood and becomes a big picture name. In case you don't savvy the term, the "finger man" of a mob is the fellow who points out the victim and the location to nab him. Mae West, Betty Compson, and one of the many Marxes are only a few of those who are reputed to have had the "finger" put on them at various times.

Sidney Myer plays the Boss of the Bowery in "Diamond Lil"

• • See "Diamond Lil" This Month! • • 

"Darlene Violette channels Mae West to perfection!" — Stu Hamstra

• • Actress Darlene Violette — — and the wonderful cast who have brought the Bowery denizens and Suicide Hall’s ne’er-do-wells to life since 17 August 2013 — — are concluding their triumphant run of “Diamond Lil” with two more evening performances at Don’t Tell Mama [343 W. 46th Street]:
• • 7:00pm on Sunday, November 24th — — the last show
• • Phone after 4pm to reserve a seat: 212-757-0788; RSVP online: www.donttellmamanyc.com
• • Closest MTA subway stations: 42nd St./ Times Sq. via A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 
• • The public is invited (suitable for age 18 and over). Join us as we turn the iconic NYC nightspot Don't Tell Mama into Gus Jordan's "Suicide Hall"! 
• • The Cast: Starring Darlene Violette as Diamond Lil, Queen of the Bowery and also featuring Sidney Myer, Anthony DiCarlo, Joanna Bonaro, Gary Napoli, Juan Sebastian Cortes, Kimmy Foskett, and Jim Gallagher
• • Director: Co-directed by Dena Tyler, The Actors Studio, and Darlene Violette.
• • Come up and see for yourself. You might even win a swell Raffle Prize.
• • Watch a short clip: Diamond Lil meets Pablo, a gigolo
• • Read a Review of "Diamond Lil" • •
• • L'Idea Magazine's editors attended four times and had a lot to say. Here's the link: http://www.lideamagazine.com/usa-still-entertaining-mae-wests-diamond-lil-makes-new-fans-in-new-york-city/
• • Staying faithful to the gritty themes in the novel, LindaAnn Loschiavo trimmed the work to 85 minutes for a cast of eight.
• • Audience Comments about "Diamond Lil" • •
• • Gigi Garcone said:  Just saw "Diamond Lil" — — a very entertaining production! This tribute to the sultry, irresistible diva Mae West is a must see! All the actors are very talented and you can see they put their hearts into their roles. I especially liked Darlene Violette as Mae West and Joanna Bonaro as Rita, a madam from Rio. Darlene encompassed the whole persona of Mae and Joanna was sublime as the madam — — she really has such a presence on stage. Very enjoyable performance and it's worth the trip!
• • Rick Baynes of Baltimore said: I second Gigi's comments. "Diamond Lil" brings the fabulous Mae West back to life. The wonderful Darlene Violette is spot-on in her portrayal of the lusty, bawdy Mae. Do yourself a favor and go see this lovely production.
• • Mrs. Jean McLoughlin of NYC said:   I recently saw "Diamond Lil" and loved every minute. The entire cast was top-notch, and I was impressed with their creative use of the entire space. The characters really came to life and I was transported back to the raunchy days of Mae West. Darlene Violette gave a great performance as Diamond Lil  — — but Joanna Bonaro really shone as the sultry, venomous Rita. Joanna commands attention and I was more than willing to give it. Fantastic show, I highly recommend that everyone see it! Even my husband, who does not like theater, really enjoyed it.
• • At Jefferson Market Library in NYC this week • •
• • Mae West's most successful play "Diamond Lil" will be performed here on Friday, 22 November 2013 in the evening.
• • And Mae West's legal woes inspired the stage play "Courting Mae West." See it on Saturday, 23 November 2013 in the very same room where Mae faced off with Judge George Donnellan and 12 jurors. 
• • Darlene Violette stars as Mae West and the rest of the cast will soon be announced. 
• • The play, based on true events, is set during the Prohibition Era when Mae's plays were padlocked and she was sent to jail. Talk about a woman who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.. 
• • This free event is open to the public and there is ample seating. [Note: The humor and adult themes are not suitable for children under 13.]
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Me? Suntanned! Say, honey, woman's greatest weapon is her snow-white skin. The sun's swell for invalids, but I'm no invalid!"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in Australia discussed Mae West.
• • "Mae West May Visit Australia" • •
• • Sydney, Tuesday — Negotiations to bring Mae West to Australia for the production of "Catherine Was Great" and "Diamond Lil" may fail because she demands £3,000 a week.
• • Other obstacles include transport.
• • The Director of the Tivoli Circuit (Mr. David Martin) who visited Hollywood recently said Mae West was a lovely person who neither smoked nor drank. If negotiations were satisfactorily completed, she would arrive in Australia about this time next year.
• • Source: Article: "Mae West May Visit Australia" in The Canberra Times (page 2); published on Wednesday, 21 November 1945
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2793rd 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Diamond Lil returned for Mae's birthday • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC  Mae West

Mae West: Marvin Paige

MAE WEST worked with successful casting director Marvin Paige, who died recently.
• • Marvin Paige had many film credits including Mae West’s “Sextette” and Woody Allen's hits “Take the Money and Run” and “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask).” Paige did the casting for several TV series such as "Lassie," “Combat!”, and “Planet of the Apes.”
• • Staying close to his showbiz buddies, he became a celebrity wrangler in his sunset years.
• • The 86-year-old Paige died on Wednesday, 13 November 2013 at Cedars-Sinai.Hospital from brutal internal injuries he sustained after in a car crash on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in October.
• • On Monday, 20 November 1911 • •
• • Mae West was cast in "Vera Violetta," which opened on Monday, 20 November 1911 at the Winter Garden Theatre.  Thanks to her ill-conceived attempts at upstaging the French star of the show, Mae West was seen only in the previews.  That was unwise, Mae!
• • On Sunday, 20 November 1988 • •
• • Mae West once confided to a friend: "I felt Bill Fields had no class."
• • This exchange was printed in The Orlando Sentinel on Sunday, 20 November 1988.
• • On Monday, 20 November 2006 • •
• • Radio station WFMU's "Playlist for 20 November 2006" included Mae West's version of "I'm in the Mood for Love" from the album "The Fabulous Mae West." If you're in the mood, go to their web site and have a listen. 
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • And I don't mean to say that all stars are entirely synthetic. Mae West, f'r'nstance. Mae gives her heart, her soul, her everythin'. Conceives her stories, writes her lines, sings her songs herself and has such a way with reporters that Paramount has had to substitute bouncers for press-agents on her set.

Gary Napoli co-stars as master jewel thief Chick Clark, former lover of Diamond Lil

• • See "Diamond Lil" This Month! • • 

"Darlene Violette channels Mae West to perfection!" — Stu Hamstra

• • Actress Darlene Violette — — and the wonderful cast who have brought the Bowery denizens and Suicide Hall’s ne’er-do-wells to life since 17 August 2013 — — are concluding their triumphant run of “Diamond Lil” with two more evening performances at Don’t Tell Mama [343 W. 46th Street]:
• • 7:00pm on Sunday, November 24th — — the last show
• • Phone after 4pm to reserve a seat: 212-757-0788; RSVP online: www.donttellmamanyc.com
• • Closest MTA subway stations: 42nd St./ Times Sq. via A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 
• • The public is invited (suitable for age 18 and over). Join us as we turn the iconic NYC nightspot Don't Tell Mama into Gus Jordan's "Suicide Hall"! 
• • The Cast: Starring Darlene Violette as Diamond Lil, Queen of the Bowery and also featuring Sidney Myer, Anthony DiCarlo, Joanna Bonaro, Gary Napoli, Juan Sebastian Cortes, Kimmy Foskett, Jim Gallagher and live music
• • Director: Co-directed by Dena Tyler, The Actors Studio, and Darlene Violette.
• • Come up and see for yourself. You might even win a swell Raffle Prize.
• • Watch a short clip: Diamond Lil meets Pablo, a gigolo
• • Read a Review of "Diamond Lil" • •
• • L'Idea Magazine's editors attended four times and had a lot to say. Here's the link: http://www.lideamagazine.com/usa-still-entertaining-mae-wests-diamond-lil-makes-new-fans-in-new-york-city/
• • Staying faithful to the gritty themes in the novel, LindaAnn Loschiavo trimmed the work to 85 minutes for a cast of eight.
• • Audience Comments about "Diamond Lil" • •
• • Gigi Garcone said:  Just saw "Diamond Lil" — — a very entertaining production! This tribute to the sultry, irresistible diva Mae West is a must see! All the actors are very talented and you can see they put their hearts into their roles. I especially liked Darlene Violette as Mae West and Joanna Bonaro as Rita, a madam from Rio. Darlene encompassed the whole persona of Mae and Joanna was sublime as the madam — — she really has such a presence on stage. Very enjoyable performance and it's worth the trip!
• • Rick Baynes of Baltimore said: I second Gigi's comments. "Diamond Lil" brings the fabulous Mae West back to life. The wonderful Darlene Violette is spot-on in her portrayal of the lusty, bawdy Mae. Do yourself a favor and go see this lovely production.
• • Mrs. Jean McLoughlin of NYC said:   I recently saw "Diamond Lil" and loved every minute. The entire cast was top-notch, and I was impressed with their creative use of the entire space. The characters really came to life and I was transported back to the raunchy days of Mae West. Darlene Violette gave a great performance as Diamond Lil  — — but Joanna Bonaro really shone as the sultry, venomous Rita. Joanna commands attention and I was more than willing to give it. Fantastic show, I highly recommend that everyone see it! Even my husband, who does not like theater, really enjoyed it.
• • At Jefferson Market Library in NYC this week • •
• • Mae West's most successful play "Diamond Lil" will be performed here on Friday, 22 November 2013 in the evening.
• • And Mae West's legal woes inspired the stage play "Courting Mae West." See it on Saturday, 23 November 2013 in the very same room where Mae faced off with Judge George Donnellan and 12 jurors. 
• • Darlene Violette stars as Mae West and the rest of the cast will soon be announced. 
• • The play, based on true events, is set during the Prohibition Era when Mae's plays were padlocked and she was sent to jail. Talk about a woman who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.. 
• • This free event is open to the public and there is ample seating. [Note: The humor and adult themes are not suitable for children under 13.]
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Next to breathin' I'd rather be shoppin'!"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Los Angeles Times mentioned Mae West.
• • Frank Shyong wrote:  Man Fook Low, which opened in 1928, was arguably the first restaurant to serve dim sum in Los Angeles, offering chasu pork buns, hargow and shumai as early as the 1930s. It became a favorite of actress Mae West. (A 1976 article in The Times described a party at the restaurant given by the "sloe-eyed and sassy" West, who declined to satisfy those playing one of the evening's guessing games: her age.)  . . .
• • Source: Article: "City Market Chinatown fades away" written by Frank Shyong for The L.A. Times; published on Monday, 18 November 2013
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2792nd 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Diamond Lil returned for Mae's birthday • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC  Mae West