Mae West: White Slavery

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 17.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Her impeccably delivered quips • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: But where the film trips over itself is in its plot.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Between those impeccably delivered quips and enjoyably bawdy musical numbers, “She Done Him Wrong” attempts to squeeze about two hours worth of plot into 66 minutes.
• • Note: “Diamond Lil,” Mae West’s 1928 stage melodrama, three hours long, is centered on sex trafficking and white slavery in the Bowery. Two South American procurers, Rita and Juarez, are in cahoots with Gus Jordan and a nefarious curio dealer Charlie Fong, who cages kidnapped victims in his basement until they are ready to be shipped.
• • Note: Paramount made no room for the main plot (white slavery on The Bowery) in the film version. Among Mae’s subplots is a steamy sexual affair between Juarez and Diamond Lil, which takes place in Frances's apartment on Elizabeth Street ― ― and also a chaste romance between Diamond Lil and a man disguised as a Salvation Army preacher. In reality, he is a G-man called “The Hawk,” on the premises to shut down the saloon and curio shop ― and arrest her.

• • Mae West: The 66-minute film goes to dark places • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Friday, 4 October 1918 • •
• • It was 104 years ago this October — — when 25-year-old Mae West was cast in a show produced by Arthur Hammerstein: "Sometime." Her character was Mayme Dean. Mae received top billing in the musical's review by The New York Times (published on Saturday, 5 October 1918).
• • 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.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Beverly West, her sister and her husband Vladimir Baikoff, will live with Miss West in the new place, which, by the way, afforded Mae opportunity to absorb rustic atmosphere for her next picture, "Go West Young Man."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "It was not that I was jaded. It was only that I had no answers to serious things."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Literary Digest discussed Mae West.
• • The New York Board of Censors insisted upon a new ending for the upcoming Mae West picture. Ruby Carter and the Tiger Kid have to head to the altar to satisfy the purity police and Paramount Pictures pays the fare to have the conclusion done over.
• • An article in Literary Digest discussed this, calling the forced ending "a sort of shotgun wedding." …
• • Source: Literary Digest; published on Saturday, 6 October 1934
• • 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 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,095th 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 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Depraved “Inverts”

Shocking and controversial in its time, a play by MAE WEST continues to be revived for open-minded audiences. This recent production was on the boards in Cape Cod. This is Part 6 of 9 segments.
• • Theatre Review: Doing the Time Warp in Mae West’s Play “The Drag” • •
• • Howard Karren wrote: The Jazz Age was the 20th century’s first major era of sexual revolution, and West, in The Drag, details contrasting approaches to homosexuality at the time, particularly in discussions between a doctor and judge.
• • Howard Karren wrote: The judge, played by Nicholas Dorr, is the father of the play’s central character, Rolly Kingsbury (Thom Markee), who is newly married to Clair (Racine Oxtoby), whose father is the doctor (Bill Salem).
• • Howard Karren wrote: The judge advocates merciless punishment for depraved “inverts,” and the doctor, in contrast, proposes compassion and treatment.
• • “The Drag” by Mae West ― continued • • …    
• • Source: The Provincetown Independent; published on Wednesday, 25 May 2022.
• • On Tuesday, 11 July 2006 • •

• • The CD "Fabulous Mae West and Other Wonderful Girls" features a photo of Mae on its cover. Sepia Records released this collection on Tuesday, 11 July 2006.
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •
• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for eighteen years now?
• • We’re here to keep Mae mavens up to date, correct errors, celebrate each revival of a play she wrote, post the latest Westian stage and book reviews. And answer our fan mail!
• • The light’s still on. Come up and see Mae every day.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Buxom country singing star Dolly Parton is to star in a made for television film about man-hungry actress Mae West. "They came to me and said I'd be perfect for the role,'' she told TV Guide.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "To err is human — — but it feels divine."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in The Spectrum mentioned Mae West.
• • "Memory lane filled with lost favorites, the Great One" • •
• • Duke Hunt writes about Saratoga, NY: During the 1920s and throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, Hollywood starlets and celebrities came in droves for the magic of the minerals. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and many others played gigs at the old Saratoga Hotel by night and attended the races by day.
• • Duke Hunt continues that Mae West was said to travel there every summer for mineral baths said to keep her skin young and smooth. ...
• • Source: The Spectrum; posted on Monday, 11 July 2011
• • 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 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,034th 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 • • a test shot during the 1960s • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Hitman Hays

Shocking and controversial in its time, a play by MAE WEST continues to be revived for open-minded audiences. This recent production was on the boards in Cape Cod. This is Part 4 of 9 segments.
• • Theatre Review:  Doing the Time Warp in Mae West’s Play “The Drag” • •
• • Howard Karren wrote: But it failed for The Drag, which was shut down by authorities in out-of-town tryouts in 1927 and never made it to Broadway.
• • Howard Karren wrote: The 1935 Hays Code in Hollywood eventually did squelch her screen voice.

• • Howard Karren wrote: And in the 1940s, she returned to live concerts and theater.
• • Howard Karren wrote: She died in 1980, at age 87, having directed herself in the film “Sextette” only a few years earlier.
• • Howard Karren wrote: During the Jazz Age, West was friendly with gay men and lesbians, and sympathetic to their lives as pariahs.
• • “The Drag” by Mae West (continued) • • … 
• • Source: The Provincetown Independent; published on Wednesday, 25 May 2022.
• • On Saturday, 7 July 1934 • •
• • "Mae West Rouses Ire of Victorian Women” • •
• • "It Ain't No Sin," Mae West's latest picture, is due to arrive in Australia soon. Mr. Kelly thinks that after its ban by the New York Board of Regents the film will be entirely re-made at Hollywood. …
• • Source: The Australian Women's Weekly (on page 4), issue dated for Saturday, 7 July 1934.
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •
• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for eighteen years now?
• • We’re here to keep Mae mavens up to date, correct errors, celebrate each revival of a play she wrote, post the latest Westian stage and book reviews. And answer our fan mail!
• • The light’s still on. Come up and see Mae every day.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • The three movie sets that an outside photographer positively can't enter in Hollywood are those of Mae West, Shirley Temple, and Greta Garbo.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "If I was a drinking girl, you might figure I had up and married this guy in an off moment and forgotten about it. But I don't drink."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An autobiography mentioned Mae West.
• • “John Gielgud [1904 ― 2000] told us this story about Mae West," wrote Isherwood in his memoir.
• • Mae West was once asked, ‘Do you ever smoke after you’ve had sex?’
• • She answered, ‘I never looked.'  …
• • Source: Christopher Isherwood, Liberation: Diaries: 1970 ― 1983 [US:‎ Harper Perennial, 3 December 2013]
• • 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 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,032nd blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1948 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Sexual Freedom

Shocking and controversial in its time, a play by MAE WEST continues to be revived for open-minded audiences. This recent production was on the boards in Cape Cod. This is Part 2 of 9 segments.
• • Theatre Review:  Doing the Time Warp in Mae West’s Play “The Drag” • •
• • In the 1920s, having “a gay old time” was kind of complicated. • •
• • Howard Karren wrote: The company’s artistic director, David Drake, had originally meant for “The Drag” by Mae West to open the 2020 season, which was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. And now it’s here, back indoors, with Covid protocols (vaccinations checked, audience masked), in a revelatory production that Drake has refashioned for today’s audiences.

• • Howard Karren wrote: Drake originally chose it, he has said, to fortify us against the right-wing backlash unleashed by the Trump presidency. And in 2022, with legislative and court actions further threatening sexual and gender minorities, that fortification is as necessary as ever.
• • Howard Karren wrote: Mae West was a champion of women’s sexual freedom throughout her career.
• • “The Drag” by Mae West ―continued • • …  
• • Source: The Provincetown Independent; published on Wednesday, 25 May 2022.
• • On Tuesday, 5 July 1932 in Variety • •
• • Casting problems caused delays for Paramount Pictures 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."
• • But 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."
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •
• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for eighteen years now?
• • We’re here to keep Mae mavens up to date, correct errors, celebrate each revival of a play she wrote, post the latest Westian stage and book reviews. And answer our fan mail!
• • The light’s still on. Come up and see Mae every day.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • What an array of new faces on the screen to fascinate us. Some of these: Mae West from N'Yawk who wins us over with her Maudie Triplett in "Night After Night;" Lydia Roberti, the peppy blonde of "The Kid from Spain," and Elizabeth Allan, who played with Leslie Howard in "Reserved for Ladies."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "There are no good girls gone wrong — — just bad girls found out."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Billboard mentioned Mae West.
• • "Come On Up, Ring Twice," with Mae West at the Cass Theatre, Detroit, Michigan. …
• • Source: Billboard; published on Saturday, 29 June 1946
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • •
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — —
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 18th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,030th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • news photo in 1927 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Russell Hardie

MAE WEST spent the summer of 1931 in rehearsals with her upcoming large scale play “The Constant Sinner.” Set in Harlem, the heroine Babe Gordon calls herself “a prizefighter’s tart.”
• • William Russell Hardie played the role of the boxer Bearcat Delaney, who fell madly in love with Babe Gordon and threw away his career, in “The Constant Sinner.”

• • Burns Mantle wrote in The N.Y. Daily News: “As the fighter, Russell Hardie has to indulge in several love scenes with the husky Mae."
• • William Russell Hardie [20 May 1904 ― 21 July 1973] • •
• • Born in Buffalo, NY, actor William Russell Hardie portrayed the besotted boxer Bearcat Delaney in “The Constant Sinner” ― written by and starring Mae West.
• • Middleweight champ Bearcat Delaney (Russell Hardie) cannot satisfy the ravenous sexual appetite of his wife Babe Gordon (Mae West) so she takes on the handsome and very wealthy department store heir Wayne Baldwin.
• • Starting in 1929, the handsome hunk was cast in 25 Broadway dramas including “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Andersonville Trial.” His last stage role was in 1961.
• • The Hollywood film industry also embraced Hardie. In 1930, he had a supporting role in “The Costello Case,” an early-sound crime, mystery, suspense thriller about a murdered mortician. In the cast was Roscoe Karns, who has scenes with Mae West in “Night After Night” (1932); another cast mate of Russell Hardie's was William B. Davidson, who plays the chump in Mae West starrer “I’m No Angel.”
• • Russell Hardie was also kept busy with appearances in Broadway to Hollywood, Stage Mother, Christopher Bean, As the Earth Turns, Men in White, Operator 13, Murder in the Private Car, Pursued, Hell in the Heavens, The Band Plays On, Sequoia, West Point of the Air, Speed Devils, In Old Kentucky, The Harvester, Down to the Sea, Meet Nero Wolfe, Killer at Large, Camille, The Frogmen, The Whistle at Eaton Falls, Cop Hater, Fail Safe, and The Group, his farewell film.
• • Hardie died on Saturday, 21 July 1973 in Clarence, New York. He was age 69.  
• • Burns Mantle wrote: As the prizefighter, Russell Hardie has to indulge in several love scenes with the husky Mae. Although there are many colored actors, George Givot, white, plays the dark-skinned policy king. Arthur R. Vinton is authentic as a fight manager, and Donald Kirke, Walter Glass, and Walter Petrie help things along.
• • Source: Drama Review, The N.Y. Daily News; published on Wednesday, 16 September 1931.
• • On Saturday, 1 July 1933 • •
• • A Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Mickey's Gala Premiere," was released on Saturday, 1 July 1933. Mae West is one of the celebrities who makes an appearance.
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •
• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for eighteen years now?
• • We’re here to keep Mae mavens up to date, correct errors, celebrate each revival of a play she wrote, post the latest Westian stage and book reviews. And answer our fan mail!
• • The light’s still on. Come up and see Mae every day.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • In past years, Steel Pier showcased some of the biggest names in show business, including Mae West, Guy Lombardo, and Benny Goodman.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "You learn to get along in life by studying life."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A fan magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • "Goin' to Town" — Paramount — Mae West, pursuing the man instead of being pursued, in a fast-moving, wise-cracking film, that will keep you laughing. (May)
• • Note: The script was originally written for James Cagney, a jockey who tries to break into society.
• • Note: In her syndicated column, Louella Parsons wrote: Gene Markey and Kathryn Scola have written an original for James Cagney called "Goin' to Town" and, although Jimmy Cagney plays a race track Jockey, he tries no rough tactics. In fact, he breaks into society and becomes the idol of the tony Four Hundred. "Goin' to Town" follows "The Heir Chaser" and it's one to a million he will have Joan Blondell with him on account of popular demand. …
• • Source: Photoplay Magazine; published in the issue dated for July 1935
• • 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 5,000 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,028th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source: https://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml  
• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • onstage in 1931 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest