Mae West: Liberty

New York, the same municipality that jailed MAE WEST for the crime of staging her gay plays in a theatre during the 1920s, became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage legislation on Friday, 24 June 2011. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law. Too bad Mae, a native New Yorker, is not here to witness this historic moment, however, scores of American divorce lawyers are already shopping for expensive foreign sportscars and penthouses on Central Park South.
• • Tale of the Tape • •
• • When Mae West was fitted for her costumes for “Myra Breckinridge,” the actress was then 77 years old. Nevertheless, her waist size was a trim 26 inches. How many movie queens merit a starring role after age 65 anyway? Greta Garbo retired from the screen at age 36 and Marilyn Monroe was dead before her 37th birthday.
• • It is interesting that a much younger starlet (who was five and a half inches taller than Mae) recently had her iconic movieland outfits assessed by the tapemeasure last week. Guess what? It's easier to be thin at age 29 than at 77. Marilyn Monroe was 29 when she starred in "The Seven Year Itch" [1955]. The 5' 5½" actress fit into costumes that brought her measurements to light — — bust size 34 and waist size 22. These items were scrutinized in advance of the sale of Debbie Reynolds’s extraordinary collection of Hollywood costumes, props, and cinema memorabilia.
• • Virginia Postrel covered the Debbie Reynolds auction held at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Bloomberg News reporter Virginia Postrel writes: Despite decades of effort, Debbie Reynolds never managed to find funding for the Hollywood motion-picture history museum she envisioned. ...
• • The coordination required to display the costumes for photography and publicity also brought new insights into the Hollywood figures of the past. Virginia Postrel explains: In fact, the average waist measurement of the four Marilyn Monroe [1926 — 1962] dresses was a mere 22 inches, according to Lisa Urban, the Hollywood consultant who dressed the mannequins and took measurements for me. Even Monroe’s bust was a modest 34 inches. That’s not an anecdote. That’s data.
• • Virginia Postrel comments on Mae West's measurements and others: The other actresses’ costumes provided further context. “It’s like half a person,” marveled a visitor at the sight of Claudette Colbert’s gold-lame “Cleopatra” gown (waist 18 inches). “That waist is the size of my thigh,” said a tall, slim man, looking at Carole Lombard’s dress from “No Man of Her Own” (a slight exaggeration — — it was 21 inches). Approaching Katharine Hepburn’s “Mary of Scotland” costumes, a plump woman declared with a mixture of envy and disgust, “Another skinny one.” The pattern she noticed was real. At my request, Lisa Urban took waist measurements on garments worn by 16 different stars, from Mary Pickford in 1929 (20 inches) to Barbra Streisand in 1969 (24 inches). The thickest waist she found was Mae West’s 26 inches in “Myra Breckinridge,” when the actress was 77 years old. ...
• • Virginia Postrel is a Bloomberg View columnist. Her article was "Auction Ends Myth of Plump Marilyn Monroe" written by Virginia Postrel for Bloomberg; posted on 24 June 2011
• • On 25 June 1926 • •
• • On this date Mae West entertained at a fundraiser held at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan.
• • Johnny Mercer [1909 — 1976] • •
• • In "Sextette" [1978], there is a very impressive rendition of "Hooray for Hollywood" by a large cast of performers. The iconic song was written by Johnny Mercer, who died in the month of June — — on 25 June 1976 — — from a brain tumor at age 66.
• • Notable • •
• • New Zealand-born Pamela Stephenson is promoting her book "Sex Life: How Our Sexual Encounters and Experiences Define Who We Are." The blonde and buxom author is a former comedienne, TV star, and (lately) a celebrity psychologist. Her new release is a 500-page voyage through the way of all flesh, liberally punctuated and peppered by quotations from such sexual luminaries as Mae West, Mick Jagger, etc. We wish the author well as she navigates her global book tour.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • One section of Brooklyn that Mae West called home (briefly) was Greenpoint.
• • Kylie Jane Wakefield begins her article this way: Greenpoint/ Williamsburg is where Frank Serpico was shot in the face, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs got their start, and the site of one of the largest oil spills in America. The neighborhood was and is home to screen legend Mae West, a bridge named after a Polish general who saved George Washington’s life, and the only licensed dealer of radioactive waste in New York City. On Tuesday, June 21st, these were just some of the many fascinating facts that were incorporated into Neighbors Allied for Good Growth’s (NAG) fundraiser and trivia night. ...
• • Source: Article: "Trivia Night with NAG" written by Kylie Jane Wakefield for The Greenpoint Gazette (Brooklyn, NY); published on 23 June 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1972nd 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 • • 1970 costume drawn by the talented Tom Tierney • •
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Mae West: Sexual Arena

MAE WEST is the Queen for putting up a mirror in the face of hypocrisy, according to Elaina B. Archer. In the opinion of Ms. Archer: Mae was way ahead of her time and has opened so many doors — — she was a powerhouse, and, for a while, she was virtually untouchable. Of course, until The Code was enforced. Then she lost some of her shock value, along with box office dollars. And, let's face it, in this business, it is all about the dollars. But, Mae West was on a mission — — one that lasted for her entire life.
• • Elaina Archer adds: Sexuality and censorship go hand in hand. It is true that human sexuality is only one issue that is covered when discussing censorship, and a subject that I have always been fascinated in. All of the stars that I have focused upon in my documentary films have stood for some kind of freedom and empowerment in the sexual arena — — yes, even Mary Pickford. I am highly impressed with the ability to create a powerful sexual persona on the screen, something that I truly believes takes a unique talent to pull off in a convincing manner. In another of our programs, "Gangland: Bullets Over Hollywood," we focus on censoring violence and gangland cinema. "Why Be Good? Sexuality and Censorship in Early Cinema" focuses only on the sexual arena. We include sociological, political, technical and all other aspects of the era in order to provide a background of knowledge that would explain the sexual mores of the time. This allows for a greater understanding of our subject and allows the clips, literally to speak for themselves. Nine years ago, I sold and produced a show for Timeline Films entitled "Complicated Women" which covers the pre-code era from 1929 — 1935. Now, I wished to create a film that shows the pre-pre-code era. I wanted to show that censorship has always existed in one form or another, since the very beginning of film, and even prior to the birth of film, in the theater and in all of the arts. ...
• • "Why Be Good? Sexuality and Censorship in Early Cinema" is available in DVD format. The footage, directed by Elaina Archer, was narrated by actress Diane Lane. We would love to have your opinions on "Why Be Good?" and your review, so do check it out.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "Censorship in Silents: An Interview with Elaina Archer"
• • BY: Hala Pickford | Commentator
• • Published by Forget the Talkies — — www.forgetthetalkies.com
• • Published on: 8 January 2010
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Staten Island

An Art Deco confection, where comedienne MAE WEST had inspired the thunderous applause that makes paint flake from the walls, is about to emerge from its Miss Havisham-like decay. The building had closed as a movie theater in 1977.
• • According to Staten Island Live's reportage, the once glorious Paramount Theater is set to reopen later this month on the North Shore — — the area closest to the ferry dock, which overlooks Manhattan — — as an entertainment hotspot, sparking hope that this historic building will pump new life into Stapleton’s commercial heart. Mae West, who was under contract to Paramount Pictures for several years, appeared in several of their theatres coast to coast.
• • Local reporter Jodi Lee Reifer writes: The Art Deco theater, with its figurative wall sculptures and Egyptian-style ceiling paintings, opened in 1930 at 560 Bay St. with 2,500 seats. In its 1940s heyday, the venue was the site of beauty and jitterbug contests and war bond auctions. Movie stars such as Mae West, Gary Cooper, Mary Pickford, etc. appeared on stage there, and it was one of only 10 theaters in the country that possessed two giant organs.
• • Jodi Lee Reifer adds: The venue will serve as a catering hall, restaurant and performance center, with bands, comics and plays potentially appearing on stage, said Hsiu Sung (David) Yang, who is opening the Paramount with partners Charley Zerrilli and Peter Lisi as part of SI Paramount Inc.
• • “It’s going to revitalize the neighborhood by bringing in some good acts,” Peter Lisi predicted. ...
• • If you enjoy learning about second acts and historic playhouses, you might find the article interesting. Follow the link to read on.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "Historic Paramount set to reopen"
• • BY: Jodi Lee Reifer
• • Published by: SILive.com — — www.silive.com
• • Published on: 2 January 2010
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Coy Watson

Coy Watson was featured in "I'm No Angel" with MAE WEST, according to his daughter Pattie Watson Price.
• • Born in Edendale, California on 16 November 1912, James Caughey "Coy" Watson, Jr. was raised in the screen trade. Before his first birthday, Coy made his debut opposite Lon Chaney Sr. in “The Price of Silence” [1912].
• • From the age of nine months until his 21st birthday, Coy Watson appeared in over 65 motion pictures. The handsome lad eventually became known as "The Keystone Kid." [His father, Coy Watson Sr., was an early motion picture pioneer. He worked as an assistant director and special effects man for many studios, and periodic member of the famous "Keystone Cops" of the Mack Sennett Studio.]
• • In addition to his participation in early silent pictures, Coy Watson, Jr. snagged roles in "talkies." He also kept busy playing featured roles and bit parts in screen gems cast with Hollywood's hottest names such as Mae West, Cary Grant, Lon Chaney, Mary Pickford, Joan Bennett, Fatty Arbuckle, Jackie Coogan, Buck Jones, and John Barrymore. Some of his directors included Mack Sennett, Marshal Neilan, King Vidor, George Marshall, Sam Wood, and George Hill.
• • His was a long and versatile career as a child star, an inventor, a news photographer, a TV trailblazer, an author, and a dedicated family man. After battling stomach cancer for a few years, 96-year-old James Caughey "Coy" Watson, Jr. passed away on Saturday, 14 March 2009 not far from his home in Alpine, California (a mountain community in San Diego County). Loving and lucid to the end, Coy Watson will be missed by many.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: Travis Banton

Waco, Texas natives figured in the life of MAE WEST. The first was Texas Guinan. The second was Travis Banton [18 August 1894 — 2 February 1958], the chief designer at Paramount Pictures. Banton is considered one of Tinseltown's key wardrobe wizards during the 1920s-1930s.
• • When he was young, Travis Banton's family moved to New York City, where he was schooled at Columbia University and at the Art Students League where he studied art and fashion design. An early apprenticeship with a blue-blooded dressmaker earned him fame. When Mary Pickford selected his gown for her wedding to Douglas Fairbanks, his reputation was established.
• • During the 1920s he created costumes for many leading actresses such as Bebe Daniels, Pola Negri, and Clara Bow. During the 1930s he forged the style of Mae West — — in I'm No Angel, 1933 and Belle of the Nineties, 1934. He also dressed Claudette Colbert, Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, Greta Garbo, and Carole Lombard. In 1927, he became Designer in Chief at Paramount and set the hallmark of elegant, sensuous clothes, often cut on the bias. For 12 years his assistant was Edith Head, teaching her everything she knew. Meanwhile, the practical Edith covered up for him, filling in when he disappeared.
• • In the film Belle of the Nineties [1934], Travis Banton went to town on Mae. The film opens with a vaudevillian styled production full of scantily-clad dancers. Set in the 1890s, the famous opening features Ruby Carter [Mae West] appearing in front of various backgrounds such as a rose, a butterfly, a spider, and finally as the Statue of Liberty.
• • During his illustrious film career, Travis Banton designed costumes for 200 or more productions. His last challenge was dressing Rosalind Russell for "Auntie Mame." He died at the age of 63 — — on 2 February 1958.
• • 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: 1908

MAE WEST, with the rough baritone voice she had as a child, was often cast as a male in stock productions. She played the leading role of Little Lord Fauntleroy several times in Brooklyn theatres.
• • The British-born playwright and author Frances Hodgson Burnett [24 November 1849 — 29 October 1924] is best known for her children's stories, especially The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and (of course) Little Lord Fauntleroy.
• • Born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, in England, Frances emigrated to America (Knoxville, Tennessee) after her father died in 1865.
• • Following the death of her mother in 1872, Frances became the head of the household. Pressed with the demands of supporting herself and four younger siblings, she looked for income from writing assignments.
• • Serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1885, Little Lord Fauntleroy is a sentimental children's narrative that became a huge hit for the publication. In 1886, this work was separately published as a novel. The book was a commercial success for its author, and its fanciful sketches by Reginald Birch set fashion trends.
• • The Fauntleroy suit — — described by Frances Hodgson Burnett and sweetly illustrated via Reginald Birch's detailed pen-and-ink drawings — — created a major fad in formal attire for American middle-class children:
• • • • "What the Earl saw was a graceful, childish figure in a black velvet suit, with a lace collar, and with lovelocks waving about the handsome, manly little face, whose eyes met his with a look of innocent good-fellowship." — — Little Lord Fauntleroy
• • Clothing that Frances Hodgson Burnett popularized had been modeled on the garments she sewed by hand for her two sons, Vivian and Lionel. Under the influence of Birch's illustrations for Little Lord Fauntleroy, many middle-class American parents began dressing their sons in velvet suits with lace collars and sashes and short knee-pants, and to have their boys' hair curled into long ringlets like Cedric — — a mode that was considered aristocratic.
• • In 1921 a silent movie version was released starring Mary Pickford as Little Lord Fauntleroy.
• • Here is 15-year-old Mae West, costumed for the part in a theatrical production, in 1908 — — ninety-nine years ago.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1908 • •
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