Mae West: More Laughs

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 39 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Her one-liners are always good • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: The one-liners are as good as always but there’s also an increased amount of character comedy, with more laughs coming from West’s perfunctory attempts to fit in amongst high society which give way almost immediately every time.

• • Andy Goulding wrote: There are also a few more unusual elements here, such as a Western prologue which explains neatly how Mae West finds her way into the world of the moneyed upper classes, and a set-piece which sees her dabble in opera.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Whether “Goin’ to Town” works for you will depend on how susceptible you are to Mae West’s charms in the first place.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Clearly, at this stage, I’m extremely taken with her and so “Goin’ to Town” felt quite underrated to me. A cheerful little pleasure of a film.
• • Mae West: Was “Goin’ to Town” underrated? • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Saturday, 10 November 1951 • •
• • "Diamond Lil," after a regional tour, returned to the Broadway Theatre for a victory lap. Gus Jordan's Gay Nineties saloon on the Bowery was established again on The Great White Way beginning on 14 September 1951.

• • Two months later, Mae West and her gaudy retinue took their final bows on Saturday, 10 November 1951 after this "last stand" on Broadway — — yes, sixty-seven performances.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Los Angeles District Attorney Buron Fitts indirectly inspired one of Mae West's most quoted lines. Too busy to meet her at the railroad station, Fitts sent over the handsomest deputy he could find, ordering him to give her a big kiss, saying "This is from Buron" — — to which West replied: "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Half-starved women can’t have no life in them any more than a half-starved dog."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on "Diamond Lil" quoted Mae West.
• • "Diamond Mae" • •
• • Thyra Samter Winslow wrote: Mae West says that people want dirt in plays, so I give 'em dirt. Miss West is secretive, especially about her past and family. When "Diamond Lil" closes, Mae will star in another of her plays, "Men."  ...
• • Source: The New Yorker; published on Saturday, 10 November 1928
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,117th 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 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Bested by Her

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 38 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Simple pleasures • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Mae West’s Cleo Borden is herself in front of society snobs who are putting on an act [in “Goin’ to Town,” 1935] and they end up bested by her in every situation, looking aghast and clucking at their unfulfilled entitlement.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: If there were monocles, they would be falling out of eyes left, right and centre.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: The simple pleasures of “Goin’ to Town” charmed me with ease.

• • Andy Goulding wrote: There are small variations on the formula here, such as the plot being driven by West’s pursuit of a man and not the other way round, but basically we get what we come to a Mae West film for.
• • Mae West: One-liners always good • • ...
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Tuesday, 9 November 1920 • •
• • Mae filed for divorce from Guido Deiro on the grounds of adultery on 14 July 1920. The divorce was granted by the Supreme Court of the State of New York on Tuesday, 9 November 1920. Guido almost immediately re-married for the third time.
• • Mae later said, "Marriage is a great institution. But I'm not ready for an institution."
• • On Wednesday, 9 November 1927 • •
• • Variety discussed "The Wicked Age" in their issue dated for Wednesday, 9 November 1927.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • Mae West's new picture, originally called "It Ain't No Sin" by Paramount, has been changed to "The Belle of New Orleans" and will be released under that title.  
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I hear Marilyn and Jane are tryin' to build themselves up with their sex appeal. Well, they haven't got what it takes. They're artificial. They haven't arrived yet."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Variety mentioned Mae West.
• • "The Wicked Age" • •
• • Variety wrote: "Miss West is well fortified with masculine support. None is less than six feet and a couple are above the 6' 3" mark. No one will believe that Babe Carson is exactly a lily of the valley. She knows too many fly comebacks. ..."
• • Source: Variety; published on Wednesday, 9 November 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 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,116th 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 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Pomposity Pricked

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 37 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Pricks the pomposity of the snobbish set • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: I’ve always enjoyed films in which pomposity is pricked and the snobs are bested by the slobs.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Even at their most one-dimensional, these films still seem to satisfy some bitter part of my working class sensibility.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: In a superficial way, “Goin’ to Town” reminds me a bit of “Caddyshack,” with West in the Rodney Dangerfield role (West’s influence on Dangerfield’s own one liners and delivery has been noted by many, although his comedy includes a self-deprecating side which West’s crucially never did), and it results in the same simplistic satisfaction.
• • Mae West: Simple pleasures • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Sunday, 8 November 1931 in Brooklyn • •
• • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle recalled in its archives that on Sunday, 8 November 1931 Mae West performed her play "The Constant Sinner" in Brooklyn's Majestic Theatre.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • "I Met My Waterloo" from the Mae West picture "It Ain't No Sin" is on the other side. This is also by Duke Ellington and his orchestra.
• • In Her Own Words • •

• • Mae West said: "First impressions are what count. It's like when you first arrive at a party. That's when people will take a real long look at you. And if they're impressed, then that's how they will think of you. So if your makeup fades and if you get creases in your dress later on, that won't be what they remember."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A campus publication in Rhode Island discussed Mae West.
• • "A Philosopher Looks at Mae West" • •
• • Paul Connolly observed: The most peculiar point in the psychology underlying Mae's appeal, is that this appeal is felt only by people who are at least fairly cultured. To a vulgar person she would have no appeal, for she would not seem incongruous. To certain types she might seem perfectly natural but they don't know any better. Consequently, we have the paradox. The more cultured a person is, the more he appreciates Mae West.
• • Paul Connolly added: Yes, Mae West makes an interesting study. My only regret is that I cannot speak with more authority. …
• • Source: The Alembic (Providence College); published in the issue dated for November 1933
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,115th 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 • • in 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Distinct Formula

MAE WEST came to the attention of Tinseltown ninety years ago in 1932. Step into the Time Machine with me for a long, leisurely ride. This is Part 35.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Her films followed a certain formula • •
• • “GOIN’ TO TOWN” (74 mins., 1935) • •

• • Mae West’s role was Cleo Borden • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: “Goin’ to Town” is often considered one of Mae West’s weakest films, although I’m sure this is at least partially influenced by it being her fourth starring role and the growing realisation that her films were following a certain formula.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: There’s nothing wrong with formula, of course. It never hurt Marvel.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: But, as someone who has recently made the decision to check out of the MCU for good, I appreciate that it can become wearing.
• • Mae West: What is Mae West's formula? • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Saturday, 3 November 2001 in The Scotsman • •
• • A book review of a Mae West biography by scholar Jill Watts ran on 3 November 2001.
• • Critic Carole Morin wrote this first paragraph: Mae West was 39 by the time she made it to Hollywood as the big blonde who had lost her reputation and never missed it. She began performing at the age of four, encouraged by her pushy mom, Tillie, and her boxer father, bad Jack. Tillie ran a bootleg hotel for Owney Madden, owner of the Cotton Club, giving mineral water-drinking Mae and her alcoholic sister opportunities for affairs with gangsters and actors. ...
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • When the Misses Skipworth and West are on view, together or separately, the laughs come often in "Night After Night." And in the brief period assigned them as a team the comedy pace is even speedier. They do a virtual cross-fire two-act when doubling.
• • Miss West's dialog is always unmistakably her own. It is doubtful if anyone else could write it just that way.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "You see the speakeasy influence. Sit at a table, dearie, I always say. And don't forget your frills and ruffles and anything else that feminizes you."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A newspaper in Ithaca, NY mentioned Mae West.
• • "Sigma Chi Makes 'THE' Mae West New Sweetheart" • •
• • Cornell Daily Sun wrote: And here is what the college boys arranged, according to a local news outlet near the university campus.
• • "Before what?" • •
• • Cornell Daily Sun wrote: Mae West last night was formally made the latest "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" in a ceremony held at that fraternity following her one night stand at the Strand Theater. Flustered by the honor, Mae West answered a Cornell Daily Sun reporter's query as to whether she had ever been in a fraternity house before with this reply: "before what?" …
• • Source: Cornell Daily Sun; published on Friday, 1 November 1946
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,113th 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 • • poster from 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest