Mae West: Cambridge’s Cavanagh

Time Magazine reviewed new films by MAE WEST.
• • Following the mean-spiritedness of Variety, Time wrote this: Most obvious ingredients in the West formula are her extraordinary shape, clothes, and means of locomotion.

• • Time wrote: In “Goin' to Town” she is fatter about the middle than hitherto. Her clothes are less extravagant and consequently less becoming. Her gait remains unchanged. Almost equally important ingredients are the West wisecracks in which she gets the better of the man playing opposite her. …
• • Time wrote: A cattle-town belle who inherits a fortune in Buenos Aires, she makes herself a social success in Southampton, L. I. by giving a ball at which she sings a duet from Saint-Saëns' "Samson and Delilah," climaxes her career by marrying a British earl (Paul Cavanagh).
• • Source: Time Magazine; published on Monday, 20 May 1935.
• • Trained as a lawyer and backed by a degree from Cambridge, William Atkinson had a serious gambling addiction. After amassing great debts in 1924, he adopted a stage name and pursued an acting career.
• • Here is a mini bio on Mae’s co-star who died in the month of March.
• • William Grigs Atkinson [8 December 1888 – 15 March 1964], known professionally as Paul Cavanagh, was an English film and stage actor.
• • He appeared in more than 100 films between 1928 and 1959.

• • In 1935, he played the romantic lead in “Goin’ to Town,” a Mae West starrer. Her character was Cleo Borden. His character was Edward Carrington.
• • Film summary: A sassy female cattle rancher, Cleo Borden (Mae West), decides to sashay her way into the moneyed class. Though Borden sets her sights on a suave English aristocrat named Edward Carrington (Paul Cavanagh), she also wants to romance Ivan Valadov (Ivan Lebedeff). 
• • Problem: Cleo is already hitched to Fletcher Colton (Monroe Owsley) but doesn’t let such a trivial matter get in her way.
• • William Grigs Atkinson (a.k.a. Paul Cavanagh) was born in Felling, Durham.
• • He attended the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was an undergraduate student. Cavanagh studied law in England, earning a master of arts degree at Cambridge.
• • After serving in World War I, he traveled to Canada, where he practised law, including revising the statutes of Alberta. But he eventually went back to England to practise law. Cavanagh went onto the stage after a stroke of bad luck (playing roulette at Monte Carlo) in 1924 caused him to lose his savings, and later he went into films.
• • After appearing in a handful of British silent films he moved to the United States. Cavanagh's first film contract and motion picture came in 1929 with Paramount Pictures.
• • Cavanagh died in London from a heart attack in the month of March ― on Sunday, 15 March 1964, aged 75.
• • On Wednesday, 4 March 1936 • •
• • Newspaper titan William Randolph Hearst had it in for Mae West. For years he barred his editors from giving her motion pictures any positive coverage. Naturally, the reasons that caused Hearst's animosity for the Paramount Pictures star were widely debated.
• • Not to be out-witted, the clever publicists at Paramount managed to promote "Klondike Annie" in Hearst's publications in other ways, for instance, by inserting advertisements urging readers to call the theater for details on a special showing.
• • The flapdoodle over "Klondike Annie" was discussed in Variety's issue dated for 4 March 1936. Coverage appeared in Hollywood Citizen News on Wednesday, 4 March 1936 also.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Ernst Lubitsch, en route to Europe, stopped over for a few hours between the Santa Fe Chief and the Twentieth Century. Interviewed at the Blackstone Hotel, he denied, in emphatic terms that he had "pushed Mae West around," as Jim Timony, her manager, charged.  
• • "I'm not strong enough to push Mae West around," said the German producer.
• • "And this statement that she had been in show business long before I started is probably the truth,” said Ernst Lubitsch [1892―1947]. “I started when I was very young but I'm only 44 now."
• • Note: Mae West born in 1893, one year later than Lubitsch.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Sex is like a small business. You gotta protect it, watch over it. It's a matter of timing."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Motion Picture Herald mentioned Mae West.
• • More Furore • •
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: Furore greeting release of Mae West's Paramount picture, "Klondike Annie," swelled to resounding proportions this week, echoed back and forth across the nation, as the film appeared in more cities and towns and was prevented from appearing in others on divers grounds. While the Hearst newspapers continued colorful denunciation, exhibitors rearranged program schedules to accommodate anticipated capacity attendance.
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: Public figures expressed themselves freely, for and against the star and picture, and the Legion of Decency issued a statement urging renewed vigilance on the part of all persons interested in the maintenance of wholesome pictures. …
• • Source: Motion Picture Herald; published on Saturday, 14 March  1936
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,900 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seventeen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,943rd 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 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Good Listener

During fan magazine interviews, MAE WEST was often coy, guarded, or made a game of her responses. But during this rare sit-down with Hilary Lynn, the subject of sex on screen steered Mae into being more sincere. Since this Westian gem has been overlooked for 85 years, we dusted it off for you Mae-mavens. This is Part 13 of 13 segments, the finale to this article.
• • Has Mae West a Dual Personality? • •
• • Mae West advises you to go after your man boldly, but Hollywood's smoothest gents claim she doesn't practice what she preaches. • •
• • Mae West: His admiration • •

• • Hilary Lynn wrote: Now Paul Cavanagh calls himself the only unrepentant reactionary in Hollywood. I mention it because it seems to connect up with his admiration for Mae West. There's something old-fashioned about Mae West, says Paul Cavanagh, but in another way.
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: According to Paul Cavanagh, Mae West has a quality that our emancipated, restless young women fail to have.
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: Mae's soothing. Mae's cosy. She lets the man do the talking while she listens, raptly. Even submerging her own personality to his. No need to mention how well that goes with a man.
• • "Goin' to Town" • •
• • Mae West played Cleo Borden. Paul Cavanagh’s role was Edward Carrington.
• • Here’s some of their flirty repartee.

• • Edward Carrington: You possess an extraordinary sense of humor.
• • Cleo Borden: Yes, and that ain't all.
• • Cleo Borden: Hmm, what do you know about me?
• • Edward Carrington: Just what I see and that's quite sufficient.
• • Cleo Borden: Well, you're easily satisfied.
• • Edward Carrington: You know, this is the first time I ever came in contact with a woman like you.
• • Cleo Borden: Well, if I can help it, it won't be the last.
• • Modern Screen’s lengthy bit has now been concluded with segment # 13. Did you enjoy it? Tell us.
• • Source: Modern Screen; issue dated for April 1936.
• • On Sunday, 18 October 1931 • •
• • The Herald Tribune reviewed Mae's Harlem play on Sunday, 18 October 1931.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West was the original sex symbol. Her famous catch phrase, “Come up and see me some time” left no doubt as to what delights might be experienced “up” in her room.   
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I like TV. I got a lot of good reaction to the Academy Awards show I did with Rock Hudson. I also have three writing projects going — or perhaps I should call them rewriting projects."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A store mannequin was attired like Mae West.
• • "The Lady Lou Influence" • •
• • And on Wednesday she satisfied the public eye by appearing in one of these new Mae West formals with a removable jacket with a high, high collared neck, shirred shoulders, pocket elbow sleeves, and slit-back. When the jacket was removed, the matelasse material appeared straight and slinky, in line with nothing in the way of a back.  . . .
• • Note: Matelasse Fabric — — A heavy and soft upholstery-weight textile in Jacquard weave. The surface appears puffy or cushioned. Also called double cloth.
• • Source: The Daily Illini; published on Friday, 6 October 1933
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,845th 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 • • "Goin' to Town" ad in 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Quiet and Shy

During fan magazine interviews, MAE WEST was often coy, guarded, or made a game of her responses. But during this rare sit-down with Hilary Lynn, the subject of sex on screen steered Mae into being more sincere. Since this Westian gem has been overlooked for 85 years, we dusted it off for you Mae-mavens. Here's Part 12 of 13 segments. The final excerpt will appear on Monday.
• • Has Mae West a Dual Personality? • •
• • Mae West advises you to go after your man boldly, but Hollywood's smoothest gents claim she doesn't practice what she preaches. • •
• • Mae West: Shy and quiet when off the set • •
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: When Paul Cavanagh discovered that Mae West was not only not what he thought, but on the quiet, even shy side of things, he was flabbergasted.

• • Hilary Lynn wrote: He repeated the word "shy" and this made me drop another strawberry in my tea. Not that she hasn't poise. She has enough to meet the King of England at a moment's notice — and to feel perfectly at ease.
• • Paul Cavanagh: interviewed after filming "Goin' to Town" • •
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: Or to look as if she'd never done anything, but sit behind a silver urn and pour tea at four o'clock of an afternoon — which she did every afternoon during the filming of "Goin' to Town." Even poured it with just the right British accent for Lord and Lady Byng, when they came to visit Paul on the set.
• • Mae West: His admiration • • …  
• • Modern Screen’s lengthy article will be concluded on the next post.
• • Source: Modern Screen; issue dated for April 1936.
• • On Thursday, 15 October 1959 • •
• • On Thursday, 15 October 1959, The Los Angeles Times printed an article by Cecil Smith: "Mae West Censored from New TV Show."  CBS also cut Jack Webb from the same program.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • What Mae would prefer playing is herself in the movie version of her new autobiography.
Producers Jim Geller and Murray Feil have already pitched her for it. She sees "Goodness" as a three-act screenplay with a child actress in the first act, a "Marilyn Monroe-type" midway, and herself at the grand finale.   
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I know what I want.  I have to. That's the only way to build a career."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article by Roger Ebert discussed Mae West.
• • "Mae West Stories" • •
• • Roger Ebert wrote: Hollywood — A couple of months ago, Mae West sauntered into Arthur Knight's film class at USC, put her hand on her hip, took her time looking around the room, and finally said: "Hello, boys." It was a co-ed class. Somehow, in the context you understand why Mae West is still the most fascinating personality in Hollywood, and why everywhere you go they're telling Mae West stories again.  ...
• • Source: Chicago Sun-Times; published on Sunday, 5 October 1969
• • 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,844th 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 • • onscreen in 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Pretty Formidable

During fan magazine interviews, MAE WEST was often coy, guarded, or made a game of her responses. But during this rare sit-down with Hilary Lynn, the subject of sex on screen steered Mae into being more sincere. Since this Westian gem has been overlooked for 85 years, we dusted it off for you Mae-mavens. This is Part 11 of 13 segments.
• • Has Mae West a Dual Personality? • •
• • Mae West advises you to go after your man boldly, but Hollywood's smoothest gents claim she doesn't practice what she preaches. • •
• • Mae West: Quite a staggering surprise • •

• • Hilary Lynn wrote: To Paul Cavanagh, who looks, acts, and is suave with the physical and mental pattern of the English gentleman, learning to know Mae West was a staggering surprise.
• • Paul Cavanagh: Mae West's co-star, "Goin' to Town" • •
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: Having nothing more intimate than an audience-screen acquaintance with her, before he became her leading man in "Goin' to Town," Paul (who's slightly on the conservative side) drew his own conclusions.
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: He expected Mae to be a pretty formidable Amazon — the hard-boiled dame from Broadway with a twang in her voice and a bludgeon in her manner. The kind of woman who made you feel unpleasantly conspicuous in a crowd.
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: And if you know Englishmen, there's nothing that can give them a nice quiet case of mental dyspepsia sooner than feeling conspicuous.
• • Mae West: Shy and quiet when off the set • • …  
• • Modern Screen’s lengthy article will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Modern Screen; issue dated for April 1936.
• • On Thursday, 14 October 1937 • •
• • It was Thursday, 14 October 1937 — — and some Californians held an engraved invitation to take tea with Mae West.
• • The opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea prepared by George Rector — — who was being featured in Mae's latest motion picture for Paramount — — was quite the sought after invitation.
• • The event was staged at Major Studios — — 1040 North Las Palmas.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Hollywoodites are talking about Mae West's belting of Jayne Mansfield's hubby, Mickey Hargitay, in her "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" autobiography. Mickey, who once flexed his muscles in Mae's night club act, rates the wordage that he likes only three things: "publicity, sunbathing, and suntan lotion.” Mae offered him a burn worse than sunburn, eh?
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My Dad, who was sorry I wasn't a boy, taught me gymnastics and acrobatics and used to box with me."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A newspaper mentioned Mae West and her new film in 1935.
• • “Goin’ to Town” • •
• • Ann Ross wrote: Mae West is going outside her talents when she takes to melodrama, with true romance and monogamy in the offing. A lot of Mae West admirers will be seriously disappointed in “Goin’ to Town.” Our suggestion that she change her handsome leading man (Paul Cavanagh) and substitute the four Marx Brothers probably comes too late. …
• • Source: Maclean’s Magazine (Canada); published on Saturday, 15 June 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,843rd 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 • • onscreen in 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Difficult to Know

During fan magazine interviews, MAE WEST was often coy, guarded, or made a game of her responses. But during this rare sit-down with Hilary Lynn, the subject of sex on screen steered Mae into being more sincere. Since this Westian gem has been overlooked for 85 years, we dusted it off for you Mae-mavens. This is Part 10 of 13 segments.
• • Has Mae West a Dual Personality? • •
• • Mae West advises you to go after your man boldly, but Hollywood's smoothest gents claim she doesn't practice what she preaches. • •
• • Mae West: Our one-of-a-kind Miss West • •
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: “Please tell me more, Mr. Cavanagh,” I stammered. And Mr. Cavanagh proceeded to explain a few things about our one-of-a-kind Miss West which probably you, and certainly I, never heard before.
• • Paul Cavanagh: Mae West's co-star, "Goin' to Town" • •

• • Hilary Lynn wrote: According to her co-star Paul Cavanagh, he explained that the Lillian Russell-ish, big bustle-ish Mae West of the screen is frank. She says so herself. Direct and to the point. She never wastes time in flimsy, feminine shenanigans. If Mae shilly-shallies or vacillates, she does it with her hips and shoulders — never with her mind.
• • Hilary Lynn wrote: According to her very dapper leading man Paul Cavanagh, off-screen, Mae West is different. Mae is difficult to know. She's built a smoke screen of reserve about herself.
• • Mae West: Quite a staggering surprise • • …  
• • Modern Screen’s lengthy article will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Modern Screen; issue dated for April 1936.
• • On Thursday, 13 October 1932 • •
• • During mid-October in 1932, Mae's jewel robbery was on the front page. One headline "Diamond Lil Robbed of Jewels" ran in the Omaha-Bee News on Thursday, 13 October 1932. This terrifying crime occurred just months after Mae had relocated to Los Angeles, California to be in the speakeasy film "Night After Night" with George Raft.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Recalling an earlier conversation with the movie queen, Rick Du Brow wrote: At that interview by the way I inquired if Mae West could cook and she replied, "Honey, nobody ever asked me." The lady is news plain and simple whatever she does.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "I feel sexy all the time. And, face it, sex is behind everything you do. A divine power."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A newspaper mentioned Mae West and her new film in 1935.
• • “Goin’ to Town” • •
• • Ann Ross wrote:  After that the picture settles down to melodrama with occasional rude borrowings from burlesque. Miss West prowls and growls her way through the rest of the story, falls in love with a handsome earl (Paul Cavanagh) and sings the famous aria from “Samson and Delilah” a little as though it were Frankie and Johnnie—just a little, not enough to be really funny. …
• • Source: Maclean’s Magazine (Canada); published on Saturday, 15 June 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 17th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past seventeen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,842nd 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 • • onscreen in 1935 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest