Mae West: Houdini & Hollywood

MAE WEST was interviewed by the reporter Douglas Gilbert, who often chronicled variety acts for the New York World-Telegram. It was at the end of October — — on 31 October 1933 — — when his article appeared. By then an established Hollywood highness, Mae offered these opinions about females. "Women prefer to be feminine, believe me," the Paramount Pictures star insisted. "Why, I couldn't spot a woman, three years ago. They got headed away from their natural lines, and I think what did it more than anything else was their addiction to sports and the silly idea that they looked well, by appearing mannish, in sports styles. Naturally, this leads to rough manners and a general carelessness in attitude."
• • Speaking while Prohibition was still in effect, the 40-year-old movie queen continued: "Good Lord, if there's anything more awkward than a woman draped over a bar! 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. It's the icing on the cake for a gal. See what I mean?"
• • In this gown from "I'm No Angel," Mae (in character as Tira) is quite the glamour girl.
• • In October, Let's Remember Houdini [1874 — 1926] • •
• • Mae West appeared on the same bill with Houdini in New York City a few times.
• • Born Erik Weisz on 24 March 1874, the Hungarian-American magician took the stage name of Harry Houdini.
• • Harry Houdini [24 March 1874 — 31 October 1926], the popular escape artist and stunt performer (as well as a debunker of sham spiritualists and an amateur aviator), has been the subject of numerous biographies. In 2007, one author's book raised the suspicion that the physically fit vaudevillian was murdered, perhaps by poison. His body, buried in November 1926 in a Jewish cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York, was going to be exhumed based on that research.
• • Thanks to Oscar Hammerstein, Mae West and Houdini were on the same stage for seven days during August 1913. On 4 August 1913, Mae (almost 20 years old then) began a week-long engagement at Hammerstein's Victoria. She was hired to open for Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, whose act was promoted in a hand-painted sign with four-feet high letters: "Modern Ballroom Dancing performed by Evelyn Nesbit Thaw!"
• • Also featured on the same stagebill with Evelyn and Mae were: vaudevillian Aida Overton Walker, reprising her role as Salome; Harry Houdini; Edgar Berger; Fields and Carroll; Dan the talking dog; and the usual "nut" acts.
• • It was on 25 June 1926 that Mae West (32 years old then) appeared with Houdini, age 52, on the same stage for one last time. The star of "Sex" was performing with the magician and other entertainers (such as George M. Cohan, Fannie Brice, the Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Ann Pennington, Hazel Dawn, Eddie Foy, etc.) at the Polo Grounds on West 155th Street in Manhattan's Washington Heights area. The fundraiser, organized for the benefit of the United Jewish Campaign, was staged by Mae's old dancing teacher Ned Wayburn.
• • Harry Houdini died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix on 31 October 1926. He was only 52 years old.
• • On 31 October 1919 in Variety • •
• • In the write-up of Ned Wayburn's "Demi-Tasse Revue" at the Capitol Theatre (a movie house on Broadway with a wide stage for vaudeville acts), Variety mentioned Mae West on 31 October 1919, noting that she "also scored as a single with a burlesque 'shimmy' number."
• • On 31 October 1932 in The New York Times • •
• • It was on 31 October 1932 that a review of "Night After Night" was published in The New York Times.
• • Critic Mordaunt Hall wrote: The narrative takes up two old flames of Joe Anton's — — Iris Dawn, who is vengeful when she realizes that Joe has centered his attention on Miss Jerry Healy, and Maudie Triplett, impersonated by Mae West, who cares not whether the moon is out or the sun is shining or Joe has a new interest in life, so long as she is not short of alcoholic beverages. Maudie gives a lesson on drinking to Mrs. Jellyman, who, it might be noted at this point, is impersonated by Alison [sic] Skipworth. ...
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West wrote her own lines for "Night After Night" [1932]. Her character was Maudie Triplett, a former girlfriend of the speakeasy owner Joe (played by George Raft).
• • • Mrs. Jellyman: Chemistry's a wonderful thing.
• • • Maudie: I'll say it is — — but I know a couple of druggists that never made a dime 'til Prohibition.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An announcement about restless spirits on October 31st mentioned Mae West.
• • Michael Rechtshaffen writes: Hollywood — — Maybe it has something to do with a colorful (some might say sordid) past filled with larger-than-life antics, but it should come as no surprise that many old Hollywood haunts are indeed said to be haunted. ... One such location can be found on 1714 Ivar Avenue, not too far away from the iconic Capitol Records building. While the non-descript structure is now a seniors' home, back in the day it was the glamorous Knickerbocker Hotel, playing host to a who's who of Tinseltown luminaries from Mae West to Frank Sinatra to Lana Turner to Laurel and Hardy.
• • The Spanish Colonial Revival building was quite the Hollywood hotspot, with a happening bar frequented by Rudolf Valentino, Marilyn Monroe, and Joe DiMaggio. ...
• • And for 10 years following the death of her famous husband, Harry Houdini's widow would hold Halloween rooftop séances attempting to communicate with the great escape artist, who passed away on 31 October 1926.
• • Given all that, it's not surprising that folks claimed The Knickerbocker was haunted, and that even when it fell into major disrepair there were those who'd swear they saw Marilyn's ghost in the bar's ladies' room. ...
• • Source: Article: "Scary Hollywood ghost stories" written by Michael Rechtshaffen, QMI Agency for The Calgary Sun; posted on 30 October 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2100st 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 • • 1933 • •
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Mae West: Howard M. Jackson

MAE WEST's triumphant screen success "I'm No Angel" [1933] was enlivened by some original music by Howard M. Jackson.
• • Born on 8 February 1900 in St. Augustine, Florida, Howard Manucy Jackson wrote the entire soundtrack for the motion picture "Hearts in Dixie" [1929], launching a long and versatile career. In between writing a number of popular songs — — such as "Hearts In Dixie," "Lazy Rhapsody," "Let's Be Frivolous," etc. — — his busy pen worked on 400 projects for the silver screen and later for TV. Toiling mainly behind the scenes, he was listed for most of his contributions as "uncredited" in the IMDb. He retired at age 63.
• • Howard M. Jackson died in Florida in the month of August — — on 4 August 1966. He was 66 years old.
• • Mae West on the Newsstand • •
• • Mae West looked radiant on the cover of Movie Classic, issue of August 1933. For a dime, readers could learn the secrets behind Mae's advice to young girls. Maybe.
• • On 4 August 1913 • •
• • Mae West opened for Evelyn Nesbit, who gave ballroom dancing lessons to an adoring audience at Hammerstein's Victoria on 42nd Street. Overshadowed by the notorious Nesbit, Mae's good work was unappreciated that evening.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "A man has one hundred dollars and you leave him with two dollars — — that's subtraction."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Isn't it funny that an article on "badly behaved women" will, invariably, mention Mae West — — even if the background info used by this California reporter is not quite correct?
• • Rebecca Keegan writes: Yet some see the 2011 crop of women who behave as badly as men as just the latest incarnations in a long cycle. In 1927, for instance, Mae West's hit Broadway play "Sex" was advertised with a publicity still of the bosomy actress towering over an apparently defenseless man sprawled in a chair. West's suggestive shimmy in the show landed her seven days in jail on a charge of "corrupting the morals of youth" [sic].
• • Rebecca Keegan continues: "Virtue has its own reward," Mae West would say years later, after a career of conspicuously choosing vice, "but no sale at the box office." [sic] ...
• • Source: Article: "Audiences don't mind badly behaving women" written by Rebecca Keegan for the Los Angeles Times; posted on 3 August 2011• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2012th 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: Evelyn Nesbit

MAE WEST has a tie to several individuals linked to January 17th. One is the infamous show girl Mae once opened for.
• • Evelyn Nesbit Thaw [25 December 1884 — 17 January 1967] was an American artists' model and chorus girl, noted for her entanglement in the murder of her ex-lover, architect Stanford White, by her first husband: Harry Kendall Thaw.
• • No doubt Mae, an aspiring entertainer, would never forget her booking on 4 August 1913 — — when Hammerstein had scheduled the vivacious teenager to perform at his vaudeville playhouse situated in Longacre [later Times] Square. The location was popularly known by New Yorkers as "the corner."
• • On this sultry August evening, Mae West was there to open for a world-famous star: Evelyn Nesbit [1884 — 1967]. Despite a low-cut gown and provocative songs, Mae failed to fire up the audience.
• • The critic from The New York Tribune [whose coverage ran on 5 August 1912] commented that even Mae's low neckline and raunchy bumps and grinds were not enough to sway the hoi polloi.
• • In 1899, Oscar Hammerstein built his fifth showplace — — the Victoria Theatre — — at the corner of West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Stars like MAE WEST, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Ethel Barrymore, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Eva Tanguay were among the thousands of performers who made Hammerstein's Victoria the vaudeville "nut house" of Times Square.
• • Evelyn Nesbit was a technical adviser on the Hollywood bio-picture "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing" [1955]. At the age of 82, Evelyn Nesbit died in a nursing home in Santa Monica, California.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: March 1913

It was early in March 1913 when Willie Hammerstein assembled variety artists for his mid-winter festival week — — and engaged MAE WEST for this saucy extravaganza.
• • In 1912 and 1913, Hammerstein booked the teenager for eleven week-long engagements at his vaudeville attraction situated in Longacre [later Times] Square. The location was popularly known by New Yorkers as "the corner."
• • In 1899, Oscar Hammerstein built his fifth showplace — — the Victoria Theatre — — at the corner of West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Stars like Mae West, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Eva Tanguay were among the thousands of performers who made Hammerstein's Victoria the vaudeville "nut house" of Times Square.
• • Heading the bill for this mid-winter festival week was Fay Templeton [1865—1939], an accomplished singer on the light opera circuit.
• • Hammerstein also premiered "The Squealer," a dramatic sketch by William C. DeMille and Charley Case's newest monologue.
• • There will be moving pictures of the Scott South Pole Expedition, promised Willie Hammerstein. Other acts on the bill were Mae West, Genaro and Bailey, The Bird Millman Trio, The Bison City Four, Sharp and Turek, Marlin and a Pack of Cards, The Jack Dakota Trio, Violinsky, Bud & Nellie Helm, and several others.
• • How many bon-bons did a ticket-holder need to buy in Longacre Square in order to sit through such a staggering stagebill in March 1913?
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: December 25th

MAE WEST has a tie to two individuals linked to December 25th.
• • Evelyn Nesbit Thaw — — born on 25 December 1884
• • No doubt Mae, an aspiring entertainer, would never forget her booking on 4 August 1913 — — when Hammerstein had scheduled the vivacious teenager to perform at his vaudeville playhouse situated in Longacre [later Times] Square. The location was popularly known by New Yorkers as "the corner."
• • On this sultry August evening, Mae West was there to open for a world-famous star: Evelyn Nesbit [1884 — 1967]. Despite a low-cut gown and provocative songs, Mae failed to fire up the audience.
• • The critic from The New York Tribune [whose coverage ran on 5 August 1912] commented that even Mae's low neckline and raunchy bumps and grinds were not enough to sway the hoi polloi.
• • In 1899, Oscar Hammerstein built his fifth showplace — — the Victoria Theatre — — at the corner of West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Stars like MAE WEST, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Ethel Barrymore, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Eva Tanguay were among the thousands of performers who made Hammerstein's Victoria the vaudeville "nut house" of Times Square.
• • W.C. Fields — — died on 25 December 1946
• • Fields co-starred with Mae in the motion picture "My Little Chickadee," which began production on 12 November 1939 and wrapped up in December just before Christmas.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1935 • •
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Mae West: 4 August 1913

It was a hot summer attraction — — on 4 August 1913 — — and the crowds may (or may not) have recalled that in 1912 and 1913 Hammerstein had booked the vivacious teenager MAE WEST for eleven week-long engagements at his vaudeville playhouse situated in Longacre [later Times] Square. The location was popularly known by New Yorkers as "the corner."
• • On 4 August 1913, however, Mae West was there to open for a world-famous star: Evelyn Nesbit [1884 — 1967]. Despite a low-cut gown and provocative songs, Mae failed to fire up the audience.
• • The critic from The New York Tribune [whose coverage ran on 5 August 1912] commented that even Mae's low neckline and raunchy bumps and grinds were not enough to sway the hoi polloi.
• • Though most of the reporters ignored the 19-year-old's attempts to woo the crowd and did not even mention her name in their reviews, at least Variety's columnist Joshua Lowe [whose critique was published on 8 August 1913] noticed how hard she was working. "Mae West sang loud enough to be distinctly heard in the rear," wrote Lowe.
• • Clearly, Hammerstein's ticket-holders had come to worship Evelyn, the showgirl who had shied away from the spotlight for several years after the infamous Sanford White trial. "Anything's a good act that will make 'em talk," insisted Willie Hammerstein, who was a magician when it came to commandeering media interest and a big box office.
• • Evelyn's appearance was quite the ticket. Willie Hammerstein was so pleased at his box office bonanza that he had his sign painters create this come-on in four-foot-high letters — —

"Modern Ballroom Dancing," screamed the marquee,
"Performed by EVELYN NESBIT THAW!"

• • Readers of The New York Times saw these headlines Tuesday morning on 5 August 1913:
• • Evelyn Thaw Appears; Then Thanks Audience that Applauds Dancing at Hammerstein's.
• • According to the Times: Although it was reported at the time that Evelyn Nesbit arrived on the Olympic that she had said she would not dance unless the name of Thaw was eliminated from the signboard in front of Hammerstein's, she did appear yesterday afternoon, and the sign remained unchanged until after the performance, when "Thaw" was thinly covered with white paint.
• • A packed house tested her and applauded so persistently that she was forced forward finally by her dancing, . . . and expressed her thanks briefly for the reception. The sight of her face peeping through the mauve curtains masking the back of the stage started the applause. Then she and Mr. Clifford did three "trotting" turns, with evolutions that have been made familiar in the cabarets and public dancing places. She wore an ecru gown of light fluffy material bound in at the waistline with a broad black sash, and, with her hair loose about her neck and shoulders and a smile lighting her features, created an agreeable impression. Her dancing was of an average qualIty — — neither remarkably good nor the reverse. . . .
• • In 1899, Oscar Hammerstein built his fifth showplace — — the Victoria Theatre — — at the corner of West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Stars like MAE WEST, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Ethel Barrymore, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Eva Tanguay were among the thousands of performers who made Hammerstein's Victoria the vaudeville "nut house" of Times Square.
• • Mainly, it was Oscar's son Willie Hammerstein who deserves credit for the playhouse's 17-year successful run. Willie had the knack for booking crowd-pleasing stagebills along with a peacock's genius for public relations.
• • In 1906, Evelyn's millionaire husband Harry Thaw shot architect Sanford White. The "trial of the century" was held at Jefferson Market Court — — the same celebrated Sixth Avenue courthouse where Mae West would wind up in 1927. Mae's censorship trial is dramatized in the play "Courting Mae West."
• • The 19th century Greenwich Village landmark designed by Withers and Vaux is one stop on the annual Mae West walking tour that will take place on her birthday, specifically, on Sunday 17 August 2008: "Mae West's Walk on the Wild Side."
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Hammerstein's Victoria circa 1901 • •
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Mae West: Yuletide

As if it weren't hot enough in the sunshine-drenched Lone State State, MAE WEST steamed up the residents with editorial coverage in a Texas tabloid on 24 December 1934.
• • Sultry blonde actress Mae West is keeping in character on her Christmas cards, a Texan reporter wrote, while examining the promotional holiday card that Paramount Pictures had designed for their screen queen. She has a drawing of herself sitting on Santa´s lap with this jingle: “If Santa fails to reach your house, just bear it with a grin. I wrote and said, Come up some time, and the dear old guy moved in.”
• • Source: 24 December 1934 The Plainview Daily Herald [Texas]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • On 25 December 1884 Evelyn Nesbit was born. Mae West opened for the headliner at Hammerstein's Victoria in New York City.
• • On 25 December 1946 W.C. Fields died from a stomach hemorrhage at age 66. Mae West co-starred with the old vaudevillian in the Western comedy "My Little Chickadee" [1940].
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1934 • •
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Mae West: Hammerstein's

In June 1914 Willie Hammerstein died — — and, oh, what an angel he had been to MAE WEST. In 1912 and 1913, Hammerstein booked the teenager for eleven week-long engagements at his vaudeville attraction situated in Longacre [later Times] Square. The location was popularly known by New Yorkers as "the corner."
• • In 1899, Oscar Hammerstein built his fifth showplace — the Victoria Theatre — at the corner of West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Stars like MAE WEST, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Eva Tanguay were among the thousands of performers who made Hammerstein's Victoria the vaudeville "nut house" of Times Square.
• • Mainly, it was Oscar's son Willie Hammerstein who deserves credit for the playhouse's 17-year successful run. Willie had the knack for booking crowd-pleasing stagebills along with a peacock's genius for public relations.
• • In 1900, Oscar Hammerstein built his sixth theatre — the Republic Theatre — next door to his Victoria Theatre on West 42nd Street and leased it to the immensely successful producer, David Belasco. Retaining roof rights of both buildings, Oscar opened Hammerstein's Roof Garden above both theatres. Mae West often played at "the Roof" as well.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West venue • • Hammerstein's Victoria • •
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