Mae West: Rapturous Rituals

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 33.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Duke Ellington’s Orchestra altered musical numbers • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, West’s usual snatches of scattered tunes are replaced by some big production numbers.

• • Andy Goulding wrote: The opening “My American Beauty” involves several impressive costume and scenery changes, and a bizarre and somewhat un-PC sequence involving a campily overwrought African-American spiritual service is impressively handled by Leo McCarey as he inter-cuts its rapturous rituals with a lonely solo performance by Mae West.
• • Mae West: “My Old Flame” — pleasing simplicity • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Wednesday, 1 November 1933 • •
• • On Wednesday, 1 November 1933, Mae West rehearsed "Frankie and Johnny" for the broadcast on "The Rudy Vallée Hour." The music for the orchestra was arranged by Elliott Jacobi.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • There are tantalizing flashes of insight about how Marilyn Monroe developed her screen persona: Natasha Lytess encouraged her to imitate Mae West’s walk. And Johnny Hyde told her to study Charlie Chaplin’s movies.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I take an enema every single day of my life — — after I leave the bathroom, you can go in and fry an egg.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Palm Springs newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • Louis Sobol wrote: Johnnie Ray travels backstage of the Latin Quarter to pose for a few camera shots with Mae West.  ...
• • Source: Gossip column item in Desert Sun; published on Monday, 1 November 1954
• • 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 5,111th 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 1934 • •
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Mae West: Scrappy Charm

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 31.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Leo McCarey eroded the scrappy energy • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: And Leo McCarey (a wonderful director who was about to embark on one of the greatest runs of films of the classic Hollywood era) brings an element of class to the direction.
• • McCarey’s more polished approach diminished the scrappy charm • •
• • Andy Goulding wrote: But McCarey’s more polished approach ends up eroding the scrappy charm of the earlier West films and this is exacerbated by a slight but noticeable drop in energy from Mae West.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Perhaps her enthusiasm for the material was worn away as she was forced to cut and re-shoot chunks of the film.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: It must be said though that "Belle of the Nineties" (1934) does have a comparatively dull plot, a fairly conventional traipse through a love triangle that descends into a violent but rather hurried climax.
• • Mae West: The re-shot ending • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Saturday, 27 October 1934 • •

• • Picture-goer, Britain's publication for film fans, discussed the costumes designed for Mae West for her latest movie "Belle of the Nineties" in their issue dated for Saturday, 27 October 1934.
• • On Sunday, 27 October 1935 • •
• • Which actresses would be most popular in 1936? The L.A. Times weighed in on the merits of Mae West, Katharine Hepburn, and Jean Harlow in an article printed on Sunday, 27 October 1935.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Variety couldn't stop printing articles about "I'm No Angel" starring Mae West. "Mae West Opera Wows Newark — Cops House Record, $28,000, and Held Over" ran in Variety during October 1933.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "When you tell people a play is naughty, then they rush to see it. I can't help that, can I?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A book chapter on another actress mentioned Mae West.
• • Brian Kellow wrote: Tired of having her achievements overlooked, Ethel got a little testy with the Hollywood press when it was suggested that her performing style owed something to Mae West's. Although they occupied different floors of the Ravenswood, West had not been particularly friendly, and Ethel got even by telling reporters that it was she who had started the Mae West vogue, not the other way around.
• • Brian Kellow wrote: "I was singing 'Eadie Was a Lady' all dressed up with the wiggly hips an' everything before Mae West's first picture, Night After Night, came out," Ethel said, ". . . so I shall always claim Mae sailed to glory on my vogue."
• • Brian Kellow wrote: In fact, Mae West's style was fully evolved by the time of her big stage successes of the 1920s, long before she hit Hollywood. But Ethel's rewriting of history was a good indication of her defensiveness over her treatment in Hollywood. ...
• • Source: "Ethel Merman: A Life" (Chapter 5) by Brian Kellow [Penguin Books; Reprint edition; 28 October 2008; 352 pgs]
• • 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 5,109th 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 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Blu-Ray Mae #3

MAE WEST returns in Blu-Ray Releases, thanks to Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
• • Dillon Gonzales wrote: Kino Lorber Studio Classics has unveiled the details of their June 2021 Blu-Ray releases including works from such icons as Mae West, Benny Hill, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jennifer Connelly, Robert Altman, Alastair Sim, Cary Grant and more.
• • “Belle of the Nineties” • •
• • Dillon Gonzales wrote: Synopsis: Ruby Carter (the flawless Mae West, She Done Him Wrong), the night club sensation of St. Louis, relocates to New Orleans and becomes the prize attraction of “The Sensation Club.”

• • Dillon Gonzales wrote: Mae West’s risqué brand of humor and naughty musical numbers enliven a plot that involves jewel thieves, a fixed boxing match and murder.
• • Dillon Gonzales wrote: Co-written by Mae West, directed by the great Leo McCarey (Duck Soup, The Awful Truth, Going My Way) and featuring Duke Ellington and His Orchestra who provide musical accompaniment for several of West’s songs.
• • Bonus Features: NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Samm Deighan | 6 Mae West Trailers
• • Source: Geek Vibes Nation; posted on Tuesday, 11 May 2021.
• • On Wednesday, 21 June 1933 • •
• • It was on Wednesday, 21 June 1933 when Russell Holmon of Paramount Pictures tried to explain to the Hays Office that the title of a song "No One Does It Like that Dallas Man" was essentially innocent and the lyrics were harmless.  Hays wanted changes though and got them.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The popular Mae West Paramount Pictures  production, "She Done Him Wrong" features Miss West as the Bowery Darling who was faithful just as long as her diamonds held out.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I'm not very grammatical, because I'm only a third-grade graduate. And I didn't exactly graduate. I sort of retired from it."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Too Much of a Good Thing: 9 Mae West Films on KL Studio Classics Blu-ray. • •
• • Mae West’s fervent belief in the healing powers of sex was only equaled by her epic and rather unlikely confidence in herself. • •
• • Dan Callahan wrote: In Go West Young Man, Mae West plays a movie star hiding out in the country, feeling up Randolph Scott’s sexy gas station attendant in several lengthy scenes. She seems most like a gay man in this film, brazenly checking out Scott’s ass when he isn’t looking, even beating out a rhythm on it as they dance.
• • Dan Callahan wrote: And the film is the rare West production that offers interesting roles to other women: Elizabeth Patterson’s quietly salty Aunt Kate is sensitively limned by West, and Isabel Jewell is likable as a star-struck young maid. ...
• • Source: Slant; posted on Tuesday, 8 June 2021
• • 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 16th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,760th 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 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Screen Naughtiness

Articles on MAE WEST and 1930s reviews of her motion pictures that reveal how she was viewed by her peers are the most interesting.  This review appeared in Time Magazine in 1934. This is Part 1 of 6 parts.
• • "Belle of the Nineties" (Paramount) • •
• • When almost overnight Mae West became an immensely profitable symbol of screen naughtiness by padding her hips and uttering double-entendres without moving her upper lip, Paramount officials decided that she knew what she was doing. They gave her a free hand with her pictures, under the congenial supervision of producer William Le Baron.
• • Mae West and Leo McCarey look over the script • •

• • The completion of her third picture last June coincided precisely with the peak of cinema reform agitation by the Legion of Decency. The Hays office called its original title ("It Ain't No Sin" directed by Leo McCarey) quite "dangerous." The New York State Censors refused to give the picture a license.
• • Thereupon Paramount officials in Manhattan sent the film back to Hollywood for a new title and other changes.
• • Mae West: New Orleans spluttered vehement objection • • ...
• • To be continued.
• • Source: Time Magazine; published on Monday, 24 September 1934.
• • On Friday, 15 April 1927 • •
• • Taking advantage of the legal woes of his sister-in-law Mae West, Beverly's husband Sergei Treshatny obtained a divorce on Friday, 15 April 1927. Well, somebody had a nice weekend, eh?
• • The play "Courting Mae West" dramatizes aspects of Beverly's relationship with Sergei, her divorce, and her hot — cold bond with her older sister Mae.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West's train passed through Harrisburg, PA the other day but Mae denied herself to autograph seekers and such during the pause at the station. Those who were 'roundabout said that she had "six husky-looking bodyguards."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My pictures do not shock me, but I have been genuinely shocked by stories and some scenes that I have seen in the pictures."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article on fashion and Hollywood style discussed Mae West.
• • "The Secret to Mae West's Style" • •
• • Cynthia Robins wrote: The wisecracking personality and slightly nasal delivery, by the way, didn't originate with Mae West. So says Marc Wanamaker, a Hollywood film historian and archivist.
• • Cynthia Robins wrote: Marc explains: "Mae got a lot of her style from Texas Guinan, a stage actress and movie actress in the early silents who became a bar owner in New York. A lot of the lines attributed to Mae (and W.C. Fields, for that matter) like 'Never give a sucker an even break' came from Texas Guinan. They all had known each other for years from vaudeville." ...
• • Source: Cynthia Robins, Chronicle Beauty Writer, The San Francisco Chronicle; posted on Sunday, 15 April 2001
• • 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 16th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,713th 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 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Gawker's Paradise

MAE WEST said this about being on TV: “too many people seeing me for free.” But now that her motion pictures are on the small screen, Mae is being newly discovered. Let's hear from Scott Marks. This is Part 6 of 8.
• • The Best of Mae West • •
• • She Done Him Wrong: Mae West’s career died for your sins.
• • Mae West: Calling the shots • •
• • Scott Marks wrote:  And Leo McCarey did them all in a row, too, from Duck Soup to Six of a Kind to Belle of the Nineties.
• • Scott Marks wrote: For the first time in her career, West received sole screenwriting credit, and it was she, not McCarey, calling the shots.

• • Scott Marks wrote: Unlike her slow roll-out in “She Done Him Wrong,” where it takes 10 minutes of screen-time before we see Lady Lou, West’s quick-to-arrive first musical number is a gawker’s paradise.
• • Scott Marks wrote: “My American Beauty” amounts to little more than an immobile West positioned center frame, hands planted firmly on hips that can’t stop gyrating, performing from within a quintet of costumier Travis Banton’s tightest — legend has it West had to be sewn into her costumes — and most outlandish creations.
• • Mae West: stereotypical mix of fire and brimstone with bayou hoodoo • • ...  
• • Part 7 will follow tomorrow.
• • Source: San Diego Reader; published on Friday, 11 December 2020.
• • On Thursday, 16 February 1950 in Rochester • •
• • Rarely did Mae West miss a performance. When she did, however, it made the news.
• • On Thursday, 16 February 1950, Mae was starring in her popular Bowery melodrama "Diamond Lil" at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, NY — — when she collapsed onstage. At first it was thought that she was suffering from food poisoning.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The renaming of Mae West's "It Ain't No Sin" as "The Belle of New Orleans" drew protests today from civic and political bodies in Louisiana.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I had to have the spotlight more than anything else, shining full on me. I ached for the spotlight — — which was like the strongest man's arm around me, like an ermine coat."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in Variety mentioned Mae West.
• • Note: In 1955 Mae West shattered all attendance records at Chez Paree, co-owned by Jay "Jack" Schatz.
• • Note: During its glory days, this popular supper club was the place to catch performances by Lena Home, Sophie Tucker, and (of course) Mae West, always backed by its in-house chorus line.
• • When Mae brought her show to Chicago's Chez Paree, Variety reviewed the act on Wednesday, 16 February 1955.
• • Variety wrote "The femme ringsiders give blushing gasps of admiration to the musclemen, while their paunchy or anemic escorts cringe before the display of physical excellence."  . . .
• • Source: Review in Variety; published on Wednesday, 16 February 1955
• • 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 16th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,600 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,671st 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 • • "Belle of the Nineties" in 1934 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: A Great Kick

The June 1935 issue of Photoplay featured a lengthy fantasy feature on MAE WEST with charming illustrations by Frank Godwin.  Here's the sixth installment, Part 6, the conclusion.
• • "Mae West Can Play Anything" written by Leo McCarey • •
• • Leo McCarey wrote:  Mae never says "Come up and see me some time" to the wrong guy.  
• • Leo McCarey continued:   The audiences get a great kick out of Mae. Because they get as many laughs as they do thrills.  
• • Salvation Nell and more • •

• • I have mentioned a few of the girls Mae West could play if she chose to — Sheba, Catherine, Stella, Peg, Nell, and Cherry. It would not be at all difficult to picture her as Madame X, Salvation Nell, DuBarry, Salomy Jane, Anna Christie, or even the gal I've re- served for the last.
• • How about Mae playing opposite, say, John Barrymore, in "The Taming of the Shrew"? Shades of Shakespeare! This is no jest.
• • After all, you know, the Bard of Avon's women were down-to-earth gals. In my opinion, Mae could play the shrewish Katharina to John's domineering Petrucchio as well as most of our modern actresses.
• • Why not have a go at some of these girls,  Mae? Why not, indeed?
• • Here are the reasons:
• • 1 . . . "She Done Him Wrong" made picture history.
• • 2 . . . "I'm No Angel" made more money.
• • 3 . . . "Belle of the Nineties" (despite censorship) is making new records.
• • Leo McCarey added: Sure, Mae West can change her character, but who wants her to? I don't.
• • This has been Part 6, the conclusion of this fascinating feature.
• • Source: Article "Mae West Can Play Anything" for Photoplay; published in the June 1935 issue.
• • On Tuesday, 5 July 1932 in Variety • •
• • Casting problems caused delays for Paramount in the summer of 1932. As Mae waited to film her scenes with George Raft, as his former flame Maudie, offers came in for her to create material for others.  In their issue dated for Tuesday, 5 July 1932, Variety printed this headline: "Mae Mulls Sock Yarns for Marlene and Jean."
• • Mae demurred.  Years later, explaining the situation to a British reporter, she admitted to being reluctant.  "If I thought of something funny," said Mae, "I wasn't about to give it to them."
• • On Monday, 5 July 1943 • •
• • "Mae West Stages Screen Comeback" • •
• • Hollywood, July 5, Associated Press — Mae West, who added a dash of hip-swinging when she revived the Lillian Russell era, is coming back to the screen after a two-year respite.
• • Associated Press wrote:  And if you should go up to see her sometime, you'd learn our "Diamond Lil" is going tropical.
• • Associated Press wrote: The blond Miss West (buxom only by costume) stated in an interview yesterday that she is already at work on a film with a hot country setting for Columbia Pictures.  Mexico will provide part of the background.
• • Source:  Spokane Daily Chronicle (page 11) printed this on 5 July 1943.
• • On Sunday, 5 July 1970 • •
• • While the motion picture "Myra Breckinridge" was not a hit, the media exposure engendered a "Mae West revival," explained The New York Post.
• • On Sunday, 5 July 1970 The New York Times ran an interview with Mae West. It was a good chance to tell her fans what she thought of Gore Vidal's novel and the screenplay.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Paramount had a long, hot summer wrestling with the Hays Office over the script for "Klondike Annie." 
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "He who hesitates is a damned fool."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Argus focused on Mae West.
 • • Mae West's Latest Burlesque of Herself • •
• • The Argus wrote: Regarded merely as a gorgeous burlesque of herself, Mae West's performance in Paramount's "Go West Young Man" is precisely what would be expected of her, a caricature of a voluptuous Hollywood star with a reputation and a "public" to be considered.  . . .
• • Source: Article: "Mae West's Latest Burlesque of Herself" in The Argus (on page 7); published on Monday, 5 July 1937
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 12th anniversary • •
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past twelve years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started twelve years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3479th 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 • • Frank Godwin's artwork, 1935 • •
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