Mae West: Harold Atteridge

MAE WEST was cast in "Vera Violetta," a musical that opened in November — — on 20 November 1911 — — at the Winter Garden Theatre when she first worked with Mr. Atteridge.
• • Most of the music was prepared by composer Edmund Eysler who was born in Vienna [on 12 March 1874]. The lyricist for "Vera" — — a show set in Paris, France — — was Harold Atteridge.
• • Mae West was assigned the second number in Act I. Backed by the chorus, Mae [as Mademoiselle Angelique] was to sing "Angelique of the Opera Comique," a song whose lyrics were written by Melville Gideon to music composed by Louis A. Hirsch.
• • And a decade later Mae would work with Harold Atteridge again on "The Mimic World" [1921]. This time, the audience got to see Mae in all 26 performances in the role of Cleopatra, a Shimmy Dancer, and La Belle (renamed Madelon).
• • Born in the month of July — — on 9 July 1886 — — in Lake Forest, Illinois, Harold Atteridge began his long career when he was at the University of Chicago and often wrote for a number of college shows. After graduation, he joined a commercial music publishing outfit as a lyricist. A producer recognized his talent and encouraged him to move to The Big Apple, which he did by September 1910. After a discussion with Jesse Louis Lasky, Atteridge was hired for a show at Manhattan's York Follies Bergere. That unprofitable dinner theatre soon closed, however, it led to the lucky chance to audition for J. J. Shubert and then be engaged for more than twenty upcoming productions.
• • A show such as Vera Violetta, which offered enormous prestige and a high salary, was not without its perils. Harold Atteridge explained: "Writing a Winter Garden revue involves many details, and this work is unlike that of the librettist who writes a straight musical comedy. It must be remembered that there are more principals for whom parts and song numbers must be arranged, and that, due to the nature of travesties indulged in, constant revisions are necessary up until the very week before the premiere. Seven or eight weeks ahead I have a private conference with J.J. Shubert, who engages the cast and chorus, plans the scenery and lighting effects, and superintends the production and together we map out a skeleton idea of the forthcoming revue. Then we scout about for a promising composer, and I begin writing a series of lyrics to be used. In the average Winter Garden offering about thirty-five numbers are written, and ten songs from this list are eliminated before the premiere. ..." No wonder this Broadway mainstay took to drink to calm his nerves.
• • By 1930, he was working in Tinseltown, hired to write film continuities. And later on he scripted radio continuities for two performers who had worked with Mae West — — Ed Wynn and Al Jolson. But his alcoholism and the deadline pressure took its toll. Harold Richard Atteridge died on 15 January 1938 of cirrhosis of the liver in Lynbrook, New York. He was only 51 years old and was survived by his wife.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Op-Ed journalist Patt Morrison writes: The self-styled Psychic to the Stars who has hosted lucrative infomercials, TV shows and hotlines says he consulted with the likes of Lucille Ball and John Wayne on this side of life, heard from Elvis and James Dean on the other side, and knows Marilyn Monroe from both sides — — she gave him the table and chairs where we sat and talked in his Studio City home. He learned his craft from his grandmother, his mother and his mother's friend, psychic devotee Mae West. .. .
• • Source: Op-Ed piece: "Patt Morrison Asks: Spirit guide Kenny Kingston" written by Patt Morrison for L.A. Times; posted on 9 July 2011
• • 17 July 2004 — 17 July 2011 • •
• • In mid-July the Mae West Blog will celebrate its seventh anniversary. Thank you to all those Mae-mavens who come up and see Mae every day.
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1986th 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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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Mimic World of 1921" • •
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Mae West: June 1932

MAE WEST was surrounded by a diverse number of nationalities when she filmed "Sextette" [1978].
• • Born on 8 February 1911, Harold Fong was seen briefly as the Chinese Kitchen Chef. A bit part player often cast as a menial or in an ethnic role, Fong was featured in 74 projects either on the small screen (in one TV series or another) as well as on the big screen such as: a naval aide, a Japanese, a clerk, or a captain of a patrol boat — — all of which he played in 1944 in Hollywood when he was 33 years old. His two final appearances were in "Up in Smoke" and "Sextette," both released in 1978, after which he retired.
• • In the month of June — — on 1 June 1982 — — Harold Fong died in Los Angeles. He was 71. Wishing we knew more, it's still the right thing to give him his due here and memorialize his passing.
• • In June 1919 • •
• • More than ninety years ago, in June 1919, Mae West was onstage in a tuneful Broadway hit doing an odd thing — — playing a lusty manhunter who cannot land a boyfriend during the World War I Era.
• • It was on Saturday 4 October 1918 that "Sometime," the "musical comedy of commerce" designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre (establishing a nice healthy wartime run that continued for eight months at the Shubert brothers' flagship: 225 West 44th Street).
• • At 25 years old, Mae West was still much more accustomed to appearing in vaudeville than in the legit. In "Sometime," it was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared onstage first. At that point in her career, Mae had often been cast as an Irish maid — — although Mayme Dean is a frisky flapper who cannot land a man.
• • This musical closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances.
• • Picture Mae West sometime in 1918/9, an energetic brunette sizzling onstage. A reviewer who covered her performance — — and her sultry shimmy — — at the Shubert Theatre described Mae West as a "tasty tornado."
• • A few years after this show, Mae started writing her own material — — however, she never again portrayed a chambermaid nor a lovelorn lady.
• • In June 1936 • •
• • It was the June 1936 issue of Real Screen Fun, with the editor's choice of a most peculiar cover painting: a bikini clad gal on her knees with a puppet's body around her neck. Huh? Mae West had a more dignified photo of herself inside this odd and short-lived publication.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae arrived in Pasadena, California on The Chief in June 1932, but she was unimpressed by the motion picture landscape she surveyed from the train station. "I'm a big girl from a big town," Mae told Los Angeles reporters, "coming to a little town." You tell 'em, honey!
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • "Mae West" and "Charlie Chaplin" will be on hand along with a representative from Mayor Freedman's office and other airport and airline officials for March 15 ceremonies launching new nonstop flights between Tampa and Los Angles by Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of USAir Group. ...
• • Source: Press Announcement: "Mae West and Charlie Chaplin to help launch new Tampa-Los Angeles nonstop flight March 15. (USAir Group)"; published on 10 March 1989
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1948th 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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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1932 • •
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Mae West: Ed the Perfect Fool

In "Sometime" MAE WEST perfected her performance style. The 26-year-old vaudevillian discovered fresh inspiration in Ed Wynn, who was at the peak of his stage career.
• • While playing opposite the seasoned 32-year-old cut-up in Arthur Hammerstein's Broadway hit "Sometime" (with a music score by Rudolf Friml), Mae came to the realization that she was throwing away her lines. Observing the crafty comic timing of Ed Wynn, said Mae West, and watching how he made sure he caught the audience's attention before delivering a line, was the best lesson. Her character in this production was Mayme Dean, his was Loney Bright.
• • Premiering during October of 1918, "Sometime" — — the "musical comedy of commerce" — — was designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn. The show had opened at the Shubert Theatre on Saturday 4 October 1918 (and went on to enjoy a nice healthy run until June 1919 on West 44th Street).
• • One of the most repeated jokes in "Sometime" was Ed Wynn's line: What is a man to do in wartime when he can't make both ends meet? [Answer: Make one end vegetables.] But the somber echoes of the World War were growing less oppressive by the time autumn arrived. The Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918 amid national fanfare and rejoicing.
• • Born in Philadelphia during the month of November — — on 9 November 1886 — — Ed Wynn [1886 — 1966] was a popular American comedian and actor noted for his Perfect Fool comedy character, his pioneering radio show of the 1930s, and his later career as a dramatic actor. Wynn became a headliner in vaudeville in the early-1910s, and was a star of the Ziegfeld Follies starting in 1914. Today we pay tribute to a legend on his birthday.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
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Mae West: Vanishing Sob

In the summer of 1919 MAE WEST was on Broadway performing in "Sometime" — — ninety years ago — — when she was 26 and more used to appearing in vaudeville than the legit. The "musical comedy of commerce," designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre on Saturday 4 October 1918 (and went on to enjoy a nice healthy run until June 1919 on West 44th Street).
• • It was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared onstage first. But the play's heroine, the actress who got to sing the titled tune "Sometime," was 20-year-old Francine Larrimore, who was born in the month of August — — on 22 August 1898. The New York Times drama critic enjoyed her rendition, adding that her theatrical presentation had "a touch of distinction."
• • Born in France into one of the great acting families of the Yiddish Theater, the Adlers, Francine Larrimore emigrated to America in 1905.
• • By 1910, this beauty made her debut in "Where There’s a Will" at Webber’s Theater in New York. Frequently cast in temperamental "pouty girl" roles, Francine Larrimore worked quite regularly on the Great White Way in a number of musicals and farces. She had training and could put across a song as well as act, dance, and flounce around with elan.
• • A Haunting, Vanishing Sob • •
• • Here's how The New York Times reviewer described her voice: "She has, in fact, a wistful, childlike quality, and a haunting vanishing sob in her voice that go straight to one's sympathies. It is she [who was cast in the role of Enid Vaughn] who sings the theme song 'Sometime,' and she is almost equally appealing in the second act with 'Baby Doll'."
• • Her Broadway fame lasted from 1917 — 1929, though she was seen onstage in a great many plays for almost 25 years. In 1926, when "Roxie Hart" bowed at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, Francine Larrimore originated the title role of the Cook County murderess who hires lawyer Billy Flynn.
• • After a handful of silent films and much acclaim in mainstage productions, Miss Larrimore was cast in the none too successful motion picture "John Meade’s Woman" [1937]. The actress left her fans bereft when she passed away on 7 March 1975 with (or without) a haunting, vanishing sob.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West's co-star • • Francine Larrimore • •
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Mae West: Shubert and Herts

In June 1919 MAE WEST was wrapping up a successful long-running engagement in "Sometime," a musical comedy.
• • It was on Saturday 4 October 1918 that "Sometime," the "musical comedy of commerce" designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre (establishing a nice healthy wartime run that continued for eight months at the Shubert brothers' flagship: 225 West 44th Street).
• • At 25 years old, Mae West was still much more accustomed to appearing in vaudeville than in the legit. In "Sometime," it was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared onstage first. At that point in her career, Mae had often been cast as an Irish maid — — although Mayme Dean is a frisky flapper who cannot land a man.
• • The red velvet curtain came down during June 1919, after the show had done big box office for 283 performances.
• • Even though the blockbuster hit closed, fortunately, the stately playhouse lives on.
• • Henry Beaumont Herts • •
• • Engineered by Henry Beaumont Herts [23 January 1871 — 27 March 1933], an architect, painter, sculptor, and craftsman — — who was a student when he won the prestigious design competition for the graceful triumphal arch that once graced West 59th Street by Columbus Circle — — the Shubert Theatre was opened in September 1913. In 1911 Herts had ended his partnership with Hugh Tallent and teamed up with Herbert J. Krapp, who had been their assistant. Together they produced the Booth, its companion the Shubert, and the Longacre Theaters. A native New Yorker who studied architecture and fine art abroad as well as in his hometown, Henry Beaumont Herts's first huge success on Broadway came during the early years of the new century. In his New Amsterdam Theater, completed in 1902, a cantilever balcony was used for the first time.
• • Ninety years ago today, a lithe and lovely Mae West (not yet buxom nor "cantilevered") was packing away her Mayme Dean dreams in a scrapbook. Did she suspect that she would return to this theatre for future successes as both an author and the marquee name?
• • This August the Mae West walking tour will meet in front of Shubert Alley and offer deeper dish — — amid a dazzling display of Mae-memorabilia.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1919 • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: June 1919

Ninety years ago, in June 1919, MAE WEST was onstage in a tuneful Broadway hit doing an odd thing — — playing a manhunter who can't land a boyfriend.
• • It was on Saturday 4 October 1918 that "Sometime," the "musical comedy of commerce" designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre (establishing a nice healthy wartime run that continued for eight months at the Shubert brothers' flagship: 225 West 44th Street).
• • At 25 years old, Mae West was still much more accustomed to appearing in vaudeville than in the legit. In "Sometime," it was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared onstage first. At that point in her career, Mae had often been cast as an Irish maid — — although Mayme Dean is a frisky flapper who cannot land a man.
• • This musical closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances.
• • Picture Mae West sometime in 1918/9, an energetic brunette sizzling onstage. A reviewer who covered her performance — — and her sultry shimmy — — at the Shubert Theatre described Mae West as a "tasty tornado."
• • A few years after this show, Mae started writing her own material — — however, she never again portrayed a chambermaid nor a lovelorn lady.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: 1919

A short novel that focuses on the lesser-known achievements of "exceptional woman in history" features MAE WEST.
• • New York based ZAPmedia, a boutique provider of books, art, and online content, is toasting Women’s History Month by recognizing the achievements of trailblazing females such as Mae West and inventor Beulah Henry. Released back in February 2007, 1919 – Misfortune’s End — — ZAPmedia’s first venture into publishing fiction — — explores the remarkable lives and accomplishments of certain adventuresses and fearless femmes who made 1919 an incredible year for women around the world.
• • 1919 – Misfortune’s End follows the lives of two families through the twelve pivotal months of 1919, right after World War I. The stories of notable individuals including Mae West [1893 — 1980], Margaret Sanger [1879 — 1966], Madame C.J. Walker [1867 — 1919], Beulah Henry [1887 — 1973], and several prominent males served as counterpoint to the exploits of the fictional characters such as Louvenia Jackson.
• • In reality, during March 1919 Mae West was on Broadway performing in "Sometime" — — ninety years ago — — when the actress was 26 years old and more used to appearing in vaudeville than in the legit. The "musical comedy of commerce," designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre on Saturday 4 October 1918 (establishing a nice healthy run that continued through June 1919 on West 44th Street).
• • In "Sometime," it was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared onstage first. At that point in her career, Mae was often cast as an Irish maid — — although Mayme Dean is a frisky flapper who cannot land a man. A few years after this show, Mae started writing her own material — — however, none of her titles contained the downbeat word misfortune.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: Francine Larrimore

In March 1919 MAE WEST was on Broadway performing in "Sometime" — — exactly ninety years ago — — when she was 26 and more used to appearing in vaudeville than the legit. The "musical comedy of commerce," designed to showcase the talents of laughmeister Ed Wynn, had opened at the Shubert Theatre on Saturday 4 October 1918 (and would have a nice healthy run until June 1919 on West 44th Street).
• • It was Mae's character Mayme Dean who appeared first onstage. But the play's heroine, the actress who got to sing the title tune "Sometime," was 20-year-old Francine Larrimore, who died in the month of March — — on 7 March 1975. The New York Times drama critic enjoyed her rendition, adding that her presentation had "a touch of distinction."
• • Born on 22 August 1898 in France into one of the great acting families of the Yiddish Theater, the Adlers, Francine Larrimore emigrated to America in 1905.
• • By 1910, this beauty made her debut in "Where There’s a Will" at Webber’s Theater in New York. Frequently cast in temperamental "pouty girl" roles, Francine Larrimore worked quite regularly on the Great White Way in a number of musicals and farces. She had training and could put across a song as well as act, dance, and flounce around with elan.
• • Here's how The New York Times reviewer described her voice: "She has, in fact, a wistful, childlike quality, and a haunting vanishing sob in her voice that go straight to one's sympathies. It is she who sings 'Sometime,' and she is almost equally appealing in the second act with 'Baby Doll'."
• • Her Broadway fame lasted from 1917 — 1929, though she was seen onstage in a great many plays for almost 25 years. In 1926, when "Roxie Hart" bowed at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, Francine Larrimore originated the title role of the Cook County murderess who hires lawyer Billy Flynn.
• • After a handful of silent films and much acclaim in mainstage productions, Miss Larrimore was cast in the none too successful motion picture "John Meade’s Woman" [1937].
• • Herman Mishkin [1871 — 1948] held a position with Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera Company as a photographer-publicist. Since Hammerstein produced "Sometime," Mishkin took this portrait of Francine Larrimore around that time.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West's songstress co-star • • 1918 • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: Rudolf Friml

MAE WEST was a hit in the legit thanks to Rudolf Friml.
• • Born in Prague on 7 December 1879, Friml was a pianist, violinist, and composer. When Victor Herbert refused to compose a new operetta for the temperamental diva Emma Trentini, the assignment went to Friml. "The Firefly" [1912] became a popular hit, and Friml went on to compose twenty Broadway scores — — including one for a long-running hit that featured Mae West — — and two original screen musicals
• • Playing opposite Ed Wynn in Arthur Hammerstein's "Sometime," with music by Rudolf Friml, Mae West performed the shimmy for an appreciative Broadway audience. In the dance known as the shimmy, there was hardly any movement of the feet, but continuous movement of the shoulders, torso and pelvis.
• • This light-hearted show opened at the Shubert Theatre on 4 October 1918. The musical closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances. That was ninety years ago this October — — when 25-year-old Mae was first cast in a big mainstage show produced by Arthur Hammerstein. Years ago, Mae admitted she and Hammerstein had a fling.
• • The Shubert Theatre is still located in the heart of Times Square [225 West 44th Street, NYC 10036].
• • Time Magazine ran an article on the composer in their November 1939 issue. Friml told an interviewer that Victor Herbert communicated via an Ouija board. Unfortunately, the spirit world never offered Friml sufficient other-worldly advice to help resurrect his career.
• • When musical tastes changed in the 1940s, Friml decided to retire from composing for the stage and screen. He remained an active lecturer and classical composer in his later years, including occasional appearances on TV.
• • Rudolf Friml died during the month of November — — on 12 November 1972 — — at age 92.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Shubert Theatre • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: Sometime, 1918

The show opened on Friday evening 4 October 1918 — — and MAE WEST received top billing in the review of "Sometime" by The New York Times (published on Saturday 5 October 1918). Featured in the cast for this musical comedy in three acts at the Shubert, Mayme Dean . . . . Mae West heads the list of names, so perhaps it was composed "in order of appearance."
• • After that, the New York Times critic never mentions Mae again.
• • 'SOMETIME' COMES, WITH ED WYNN;
• • Musical Comedy of Commerce, with Book and Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young.
• • MUSIC BY RUDOLF FRIML
• • Francine Larrimore as Heroine and Frances Cameron as Intriguing Villainess. [Saturday — — 5 October 1918, page 11]
• • According to their drama critic reporting in 1918, not much can be said for the book and lyrics of "Sometime," which came last night to the Shubert "with" Ed Wynn as comedian, and nothing shall here be said against them — — unless it be dispraise to record that they are of the musical comedy of commerce. The costumes and scenery likewise will be pasted over in a silence which, it is hoped, is discreet. ...
• • The Times critic applauds Ed Wynn NOT for the dialogue written by the playwright — — but instead for Wynn's sly ad libbing. What is a man to do in wartime, when he can't make both ends meet?, Ed Wynn's character Loney Bright asks aloud — — and then answers Make one end vegetables!
• • The critic did enjoy the title tune "Sometime," and its rendition by the heroine Francine Larrimore — — who had "a touch of distinction."
• • How difficult it is to find a photo of the commercially successful and prolific Rida Johnson Young, who penned the book and the lyrics. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, the beautiful former actress was born on 28 February 1869, and hit it big with "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," "Naughty Marietta," and other favorites.
• • In the pink-ribboned month of October, dedicated to breast cancer awareness, we mourn the early death of Rida Johnson Young — — claimed by that disease at age 57, after a long struggle with it, on 8 May 1926.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1919 • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: Qualifications

Shortly after "Diamond Lil" was declared a success by New York's critics in 1928, articles poured forth about the actress, playwright, and all-around dynamo MAE WEST.
• • . . . Previous to her precipitate emergence in "Sex," Miss West had as recommendation the qualifications of Brooklyn nativity, apprenticeship as a child actress in that borough with Hal Clarendon's stock company, and the aforementioned experience in vaudeville and musical shows," the New York City newspaper ran on.
• • She takes some little pride in the fact that, during the variety era, two young men were associated with her as pianists who have since done fairly well on their own. One of them was Harry Richman, who became a somebody in the night clubs and in the last "Scandals," and the other was Jack Smith, whose claim to fame is that he combines the simultaneous accomplishments of whispering and singing baritone.
• • Among the song-and-dance pieces which boasted the blond actress's services were "Sometime" with Ed Wynn and several Shubert extravaganzas. The rumor will not down that in one of these latter she was the shimmying Cleopatra of a song called, with happy inspiration, "Shakespeare's Garden of Love," which Marc Connelly, among others, can — — and will — — still sing for you. ...
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: Friml

MAE WEST racked up a long-running success thanks to Rudolf Friml.
• • Born in Prague on 7 December 1879, Friml was a pianist and composer.
• • Playing opposite Ed Wynn in Arthur Hammerstein's "Sometime," with music by Rudolf Friml, Mae West performed the shimmy for an appreciative Broadway audience. In the dance known as the shimmy, there was hardly any movement of the feet, but continuous movement of the shoulders, torso and pelvis.
• • This light-hearted show opened at the Shubert Theatre on 4 October 1918. The musical closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances.
• • Time Magazine ran an article on the composer in their November 1939 issue. Friml told an interviewer that Victor Herbert communicated via an Ouija board. Unfortunately, the spirit world never offered Friml sufficient other-worldly advice to help resurrect his career.
• • Rudolf Friml died during the month of November — — on 12 November 1972 — — at age 92.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: October 1918

MAE WEST received top billing in the review of "Sometime" by The New York Times (published on Saturday 5 October 1918). Featured in the cast for this musical comedy in three acts at the Shubert, Mayme Dean . . . . Mae West heads the list of names, so perhaps it was composed "in order of appearance."
• • After that, the New York Times critic never mentions Mae again.
• • 'SOMETIME' COMES, WITH ED WYNN;
• • Musical Comedy of Commerce, with Book and Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young.
• • MUSIC BY RUDOLF FRIML
• • Francine Larrimore as Heroine and Frances Cameron as Intriguing Villainess. [Saturday — — 5 October 1918, page 11]

• • According to their drama critic reporting in 1918, not much can be said for the book and lyrics of "Sometime," which came last night to the Shubert "with" Ed Wynn as comedian, and nothing shall here be said against them — — unless it be dispraise to record that they are of the musical comedy of commerce. The costumes and scenery likewise will be pasted over in a silence which, it is hoped, is discreet. ...
• • The Times critic applauds Ed Wynn NOT for the dialogue written by the playwright — — but instead for Wynn's sly ad libbing. What is a man to do in wartime, when he can't make both ends meet?, Ed Wynn's character Loney Bright asks aloud — — and then answers Make one end vegetables!
• • The critic did enjoy the title tune "Sometime," and its rendition by the heroine Francine Larrimore — — who had "a touch of distinction."
• • How difficult it is to find a photo of the commercially successful and prolific Rida Johnson Young, who penned the book and the lyrics. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, the beautiful former actress was born on 28 February 1869, and hit it big with "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," "Naughty Marietta," and other favorites.
• • In the pink-ribboned month of October, dedicated to breast cancer awareness, we mourn the early death of Rida Johnson Young, claimed by that disease at age 57, after a long struggle with it, on 8 May 1926.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West's venue • • Shubert Theatre • •
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Mae West.

Mae West: A Little Lovin'

It was October of 1918 and Mae West was receiving excellent reviews.
• • According to Jill Watts, in her superb biography Mae West, An Icon in Black and White, the New York Clipper rated her performance "capital." Even stingy Sime, after groaning that her shimmy was ill-suited for a Broadway stage, agreed that Mae "bowled them over" [Variety Magazine 11 October 1918].
• • A young soldier, newly arrived in NYC after serving in the war, remembered Mae's charisma. Leonard Hall noted that she was a "slender, beautiful ball of fire who performed as a specialty dancer in high kicks, cartwheels, and fast taps. She was a tasty tornado."
• • Mae West, writes Jill Watts, "was the show's hit."
• • With her tough gal posture and a hand on her hip, Mae forged her own portrayal of the vampy man-eater Mayme Dean (who was originally written as a pathetic little sparrow). Mae West even spiced up "All I Want Is a Little Lovin'" with her own lyrics. Rather than working with the busy choreographer of "Sometime," Mae West got some guidance from her Chicago pal Joe Frisco, a popular white jazz dancer who was an expert in black technique.
• • And Mae West's number "Any Kind of Man" must have stopped a few hearts when Mae went into her shimmy! Don't you wish you were right there — — inside the Shubert Theatre during October 1918?
• • So astoundingly popular was her Mayme Dean portrayal that Arthur Hammerstein had to fight off a rival producer's attempt to lure Mae West away.
— — Source: Jill Watts — —
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Sometime, 1918 • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: Arthur Hammerstein

MAE WEST was cast in a show produced by Arthur Hammerstein: "Sometime."
• • This musical, which opened at the Shubert Theatre [225 West 44th Street, NYC] on 4 October 1918, closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances.
• • On 24 May 1918, Variety Magazine announced that "Mae West, known in vaudeville for some seasons as a 'single,' is going into Arthur Hammerstein's forthcoming musical play 'Sometime,' which starts rehearsals in July." Variety added this peculiar [incorrect] note: "It will be her first appearance in the legitimate."
• • Mae, age 25, played an enticing flapper Mayme Dean who couldn't land a man. One of her songs — — written by Rida Johnson Young — — was "Vampire with No One to Vamp."
• • Born on 21 December 1872 and educated in New York City, Arthur Hammerstein was raised by a show-biz-savvy family; his brother was the theatre mogul Willie Hammerstein.
• • After the try-outs in Atlantic City, Ed Wynn replaced Herbert Corthell in the role of Loney Bright, upping the humor by lisping his lines, and effeminately reminiscing about the days when he used to double up in a production by performing female roles such as little Eva. Mae West learned a lot about comic timing by observing Ed Wynn.
• • But in the end it was Ed Wynn who left Arthur Hammerstein in the lurch, leaving the successful Broadway crowd-pleaser when he no longer found their business relations to his liking.
• • After a long and successful career, Arthur Hammerstein died at age 82 during the month of October — — on 12 October 1955.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West venue • • Shubert Theatre • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: Shewabble

It was 4 October 1918 when MAE WEST hoped to stake her claim on Broadway, steeling her muscles under the spotlight at the Shubert Theatre.
• • It felt good to provoke all that joyful applause, Mae thought, by doing the shimmy. In the shimmy, there was hardly any movement of the feet, but continuous movement of the shoulders, torso, and pelvis.
• • Playing opposite Ed Wynn in Arthur Hammerstein's "Sometime," with music by Rudolf Friml, however, the 25-year-old comedienne realized she was throwing her witty lines away. She observed Ed Wynn closely, learning about timing from a clown prince.
• • This musical, which opened at the Shubert Theatre on 4 October 1918, closed in June 1919, after running for 283 performances.
• • Fast forward 30 years to 1949. Cub reporter William Safire goes up to see Mae, then starring on Broadway in a revival of "Diamond Lil.'' Her leading man in those post-war years was Richard Coogan — — better known as TV's "Captain Video" than the rialto's Captain Cummings.
• • According to Safire, Miss West, from her reclining position on a chaise longue, looked up at me with an expression of ''Have I sunk to this? They're sending the office boy?'' Worse, my first question was painfully puerile: what was it like to play opposite the hero of thousands of kids, Captain Video [New Jersey native Richard Coogan]?
• • Mae thought about that. Then, coming to a decision, she changed her expression. Batting those long false eyelashes, she looked at the ceiling and murmured, ''Mmmm . . . suppose you ask Captain Video . . . mmmm . . . how does it feel to play opposite . . . Mae West!''
• • She had caught the editor's angle, as I had not: send an innocent to the symbol of sin. She would play along for publicity's sake, presuming her persona would sell more tickets than her person.
• • As she rose to usher me out, I dared ask if she ever did the shimmy onstage. ''In an Ed Wynn show ['Sometime'], I did a shimmy. But never'' — — Miss West reached up to brush an imaginary blonde hair off my shoulder, a touch I can feel right now — — ''never did I do the shimmy shewabble!''
• • William Safire clarifies this for his New York Times readers in the year 2000: The shimmy sha-wobble is "a shimmy with bumps and grinds. Low class. Not our Mae."
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1918 • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: Ed Wynn

MAE WEST said she learned so much from the sublimely silly vaudeville comedian Ed Wynn [born in 1886].
• • While playing opposite the seasoned 32-year-old Ed Wynn in Arthur Hammerstein's Broadway hit "Sometime" (with a music score by Rudolf Friml), Mae West came to the realization that she was throwing away her lines. Observing the crafty comic timing of Ed Wynn, said Mae West, and watching how he made sure he caught the audience's attention before delivering a line, was the best lesson.
• • Fortunately, Mae had ample time to study the Philadelphia-born cut-up. "Sometime" opened at the Shubert Theatre on 4 October 1918. After running for eight months and 283 performances, the musical closed in June 1919.
• • And also in the month of June, Ed Wynn died of throat cancer: 19 June 1966.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
NYC
Mae West.