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Happy Birthday to MAE WEST, the Brooklyn Bombshell, the Queen of Comedy, who maintained a long career onstage and onscreen and also toured the nightclub circuit.
• • Born in Bushwick on 17 August 1893 (under the sign of Leo the lion) in her parents' bedroom, and delivered by a midwife, little Mary Jane West always said: "I was born on a cool night in a hot month so I knew I could expect anything."
• • She exceeded the income of every actress of her generation because she was paid as a screenwriter as well as a star.
• • Each day at least one publication in the world mentions her name. [We can verify it because we've tracked this daily for the past seven years.]
• • Often imitated but never duplicated, the one and only Mae West.
• • West Coast Party on 17 August 2010 • • 
• • Musician Ramfis Diaz [1963 — 2011] hosted Mae's birthday hoe-down for years in Los Angeles.
• • His mother, Mrs. Genevieve Robles said: By the late 1980s, Ramfis had moved to Los Angeles, specifically to an older apartment tower in Hollywood, off Sunset Boulevard. An earthquake ruined some of his prize ceramic Mae West collectibles! Subsequently, he found an apartment for rent at the Gramercy Towers [in suite 701] where he had resided for a long time (until his death a few months ago).
• • Born into a musical family and with a maternal grandfather who led an orchestra and entertained at parties for many years, Ramfis developed his talents early on. He had scored many film scores for small local independent films and, over the years, had been working on recordings of his own.
• • Shown in this party portrait snapped last year, left to right: Mark Desjardins, Kevin Thomas, Chris Basinger, Gary Wares, Andre Simpson, John Beuscher.
• • On August 17th, the guests were entertained by various turns at the karaoke microphone by Ram, a Cher impersonator, and a local cabaret singer named Sonji, who transfixed the audience with her version of "All of Me."
• • Ram, who held the first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984 as a small scale spaghetti supper, had an incredible array of Mae-memorabilia displayed in his apartment. Remembering a long tradition organized by a wonderful man, Ramfis Diaz, we reprint these photos taken Chez Diaz.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • She is often quoted in Bartlett's because Mae West said it best.
• • A hard man is good to find.
• • Such a big issue — — over a little tissue.
• • Diamonds? Diamonds is my career!
• • Beulah, peel me a grape!
• • Goodness had nothing to do with it.
• • I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
• • He who hesitates is a damned fool.
• • It's the fairy princess, ya mug!
• • When I'm bad, I'm better.
• • I like restraint, if it doesn't go too far.
• • I'm single because I was born that way.
• • Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.
• • It's better to be looked over than overlooked.
• • I didn't discover curves; I only uncovered them.
• • When women go bad, men go right after them.
• • It's not the men in my life. It's the life in my men.
• • An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
• • Is that a gun in your pocket? Or are you glad to see me?
• • Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you.
• • A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up.
• • Cultivate your curves. They may be dangerous but they won't be avoided.
• • Don't marry a man to reform him — — that's what reform schools are for.
• • Don't let a man put anything over you except a umbrella.
• • Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can't figure out what from.
• • Mmmm! Tall, dark, and handsome!
• • He's the kind of man a woman would have to marry to get rid of.
• • His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.
• • I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it.
• • Marriage is a great institution. But I'm not ready for an institution.
• • A woman in love can't be reasonable — — or she probably wouldn't be in love.
• • All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.
• • I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.
• • I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.
• • Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
• • I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.
• • I only like two kinds of men — — domestic and foreign.
• • I see you're a man with ideals. I better be going while you've still got them.
• • I speak two languages — — body and English.
• • I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing.
• • Any time you've got nothing to do and lots of time to do it come on up.
• • Come up sometime and see me. I'll tell your fortune.
• • Come up sometime when I've nothing on but the radio.
• • My right leg is Thanksgiving. My left leg is Xmas. Come up and see me between the holidays.
• • Mae also has terrific and original one-liners in the play Courting Mae West.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Duke Hunt writes about Saratoga, NY: During the 1920s and throughout the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, 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. Mae West was said to travel there every summer for mineral baths said to keep her skin young and smooth. ...
• • Source: Article: "Memory lane filled with lost favorites, the Great One" written by Duke Hunt for The Spectrum; posted on 11 July 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2025th 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 • • 1932 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
Continuing our coverage of the MAE WEST collector extraordinaire, Ramfis Diaz [1963 — 2011], whose memorial service is being held today on the West Coast, here's an intimate recollection by the woman who knew him best.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • Always in My Heart, My Son Ramfis Diaz • • •
• • Mrs. Genevieve Robles remembers this about her loved one: My son Ramfis was born in Arizona on 22 February 1963. My father (and his maternal grandfather) was Lalo Robles, who conducted his own orchestra — — The Lalo Robles Orchestra — — for over 50 years. He played for more than 500 weddings, and was in heavy demand for parties in Tucson, Arizona, as well as a regular fixture at local dances and concerts. In 1960, he recorded a record album that was also sold in Europe. Lalo played piano, tenor and alto sax, guitar as well as the clavia. 
• • Growing up in such a musical household, by age of 9, Ramfis was determined to be a musician and started piano lessons.
• • During my first marriage, I gave birth to three sons: Danny, Alexander, and Richard Rico. Richard died at 17 years of age in a car accident in 1978. Then my second marriage produced Ramfis Diaz in 1963. At that time, the family, along with a Diaz half-brother, moved to Long Beach, California from Tuscon, Arizona.
• • Ramfis was a gifted, intelligent, alert child. By the age of four, he was in an early school start program. One week he was ill and my little boy had to stay in bed. As luck would have it, there was a Mae West Film Festival on a local television station and my young son sat and watched, completely captivated by the personality of Mae West. When the motion pictures ended, he was puzzled and even became upset.
• • In 1975, I was at the Lakewood Center Mall in Long Beach eating lunch in a restaurant by the front window. Someone shouted out: "There she is, there's Mae West!" Mae West was making an appearance at a book shop in the mall promoting the paperback release of her stage play "Pleasure Man" and autographing copies for her fans. I found a payphone and tried several times to call Ramfis, hoping he could rush over, but my 12-year-old son was out riding his bike, so he never got to meet his idol in person.
• • By the late 1980s, Ramfis had moved to Los Angeles, specifically to an older apartment tower in Hollywood, off Sunset Boulevard. An earthquake ruined some of his prize ceramic Mae West collectibles! Subsequently, he found an apartment for rent at the Gramercy Towers [in suite 701] where he has resided ever since.
• • Ramfis has scored many film scores for small local independent films and, over the years, has been working on recordings of his own.
• • Meanwhile, from 1986 — 1991, I had operated an independent music store called Musicia Latina de Las Americas in Tucson, selling Latin music from all over the world, including Cuba, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Mexico. No doubt, my appreciation of these musical selections also made an impact on Ramfis's early musical direction. 
• • Ramfis always had two passions: his music and the massive Mae West collection he gradually acquired, including thousands of original Mae West movie stills and candid pictures.. He also owned carnival chalkware statues — — and perhaps his most rare and treasured keepsake was a Mae West lamp that was produced for a short period of time in the early 1930s. Very few of these are currently known to exist.
• • At this time his extensive Mae West collection has been placed in storage and his beloved apartment will be vacated, renovated, and released by the managent of the Gramercy Towers. His family fervently wishes to continue his legacy of the annual Mae West Birthday Party and, ideally, it can be held on the roof deck of the Gramercy Towers this coming August 17th.
• • • • By Genevieve Robles as told to R. Mark Desjardins, who very kindly permitted this to be used on the Mae West Blog.
• • • • PUBLIC MEMORIAL for RAMFIS DIAZ • • • •
• • Funeral services for Ramfis Anthony Diaz will be held on Thursday, 26 May 2011. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM in order to accommodate Ram's loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors. Ram's older brother Danny tells me that McKenzie Mortuary seats 70 people only, so the family decided to hold services at the church in Long Beach instead; capacity there is 400.
• • WHERE: First United Presbyterian, 600 East 5th Street [corner of 5th & Atlantic], Long Beach, CA. First United Presbyterian is more suitable for the crowd of mourners that will be expected next week.
• • INFO: Tel. (562) 436-9707.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • It seems peculiar that a Mae West quote would be inserted into a discussion about adultery since the Hollywood icon preserved her single status for decades. No matter. When a journalist needs something interesting to say, oftentimes s/he will reach for Mae.
• • Debra Ollivier concludes her Huff Post piece with these four sentences: When it comes to ordinary French men and women, adultery is a wilderness that they enter at their own risk. In this the French share with everyone, including Americans, a universal struggle between passion and a host of other complicated emotions that drive people to push the envelope on propriety. As Mae West once put it: "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." Contrary to popular opinion, adultery is not a French trademark.
• • Source: Article: "Why Americans Are As Adulterous As The French: Questioning a Tired Cliche" written by Debra Ollivier for The Huffington Post; posted on 19 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1942nd 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 • • Ramfis Diaz and friends • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST collectors are everywhere but a most extraordinary West Coast Mae-maven has, unfortunately, left us at 3:00 AM on Sunday morning, 15 May 2011 in Southern California. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Ramfis Anthony Diaz [20 February 1963 — 15 May 2011] began his extensive acquisition of Westiana around the time that Mae starred in "Myra Breckinridge" [1970], when he was quite young. Around 1994, Ramfis, then a 31-year-old musician, instituted a yearly tradition of having a festive open house in the Hollywood area to honor Mae West on August 17th. Despite being in deep mourning for his close friend, Damon Devine has very kindly consented to write an obituary. We share this heartfelt remembrance with all of you.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Damon Devine writes: I cannot believe I am writing this, as it still seems surreal. Ramfis Diaz, one of the most well known and loved in the West Coast Mae West Circle, has died. He was 48 and lived in Los Angeles. 
• • An August 17th tradition: Ramis organized and hosted our annual Mae West Birthday Party, each August 17th. Rain or shine, he made it happen. During those years when money was scarce, we still had a little food and lots of Mae West. During times of plenty, the party-goers were treated to lots of refreshments and even more Mae West.
• • It is my vote to end this August 17th tradition now, however, since the once-joyful parties will no longer be the same without him. I, for one, don't feel worthy enough to make it happen; moreover, I do not want to commingle a deep sadness along with our celebration of Mae West. Our party was full of fellowship and high spirits. At least to me, we should remember it for what it was. Ramfis used to always put my name on the cake along with Mae's. I never had the heart to tell him my birthday was July 28th! It was a beautiful gesture though.
• • A well-loved gentleman: EVERYONE loved Ramfis, absolutely everyone. There wasn't a mean bone in his body. His real friends can he counted in the hundreds, his memorable acquaintances in the thousands. He was a sex symbol in his own right (and a total inspiration to me) who lived a very Mae West lifestyle, as far as being free and finding the notion of monogamy somewhat bewildering. Despite his naughty nature, there was an incredibly endearing naivety about him, an almost childlike innocence in other areas of life. I have never known anyone like him. 
• • Our first meeting: In 1992 I had originally met Ramfis when I worked at a movie memorabilia shop in Hollywood. We were immediate friends in our love of Mae West, and we became like brothers. All these many years, Ramfis called me "little brother" (— — here come the tears, at last). Having had no siblings, this always meant more to me than he could have ever known.
• • One man's museum dedicated to Mae West: His Mae West collection was the most massive I had ever seen. And not a millimeter of it was based on greed! He loved Mae West as though she were a beloved relative or a Goddess who brought him both inspiration in life, and consolation in tough times. Outside of his work, friendships, and romances, Mae West was a huge part of his life. His apartments were always covered with Mae West memorabilia, and, in fact, he played songs from Mae West's films on piano, in public, many times. I adore Mae West (my tattoos of her vouch for that!) — — but Ramfis could make even ME cringe, as he gushed over her to throngs of leather-clad men with full beards in a bar he worked at, photo album pages flipping, exclaiming: "Doesn't she look amazing for 53? This photo is from Come On Up, 1946!!" He was completely oblivious to their total lack of interest! They were there for "other reasons" but that was what was so dear about Ramfis. When it came to his love for Mae West, there were no boundaries. He felt, quite strongly, that EVERYONE needed a little Mae West in their lives. She was, undoubtedly, his greatest love. If there is an afterlife of some kind, I hope Mae West is waiting for him. That is my only consolation today — — in that I know nothing would please him more.
• • • • Written exclusively for the Mae West Blog by Damon Devine, Los Angeles, CA.• • • • PUBLIC MEMORIAL for RAMFIS DIAZ • • • • • • Funeral services for Ramfis Anthony Diaz will be held on Thursday, 26 May 2011. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM in order to accommodate Ram's loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors. Ram's brother Danny tells me that McKenzie Mortuary seats 70 people only, so the family decided to hold services at the church in Long Beach instead; capacity there is 400.
• • WHERE: First United Presbyterian, 600 East 5th Street [corner of 5th & Atlantic], Long Beach, CA. First United Presbyterian is more suitable for the crowd of mourners that will be expected next week.
• • INFO: Tel. (562) 436-9707.
• • Comments in loving remembrance of the deceased can be posted here. Thank you for stopping here to offer your kindness meant for the family of Ramfis Diaz.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Reflecting upon the death of Mae West celebrant Ramfis Diaz, Ian Macnicol told Damon Devine: I am desperately sorry to hear this sad news. Ramfis was such a kind and gentle man. Although I only met him a few times, he was someone I always hoped I would meet again. His loss must be very great to those who knew him well. Don't be too quick to decide that there will be no more Mae West parties — — continuing them in his name would be a lovely way of commemorating him. I am sending out good thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.
• • Source: public posting about the death of Ramfis Diaz
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Sahara Hotel, where Mae West introduced "The Mae West Revue," is no more.
• • LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Las Vegas marks the end of an era this week as one of the US gambling mecca's last original "Rat Pack" casino-hotels, the Sahara, finally closes its doors. Opened in 1952, the Sahara hosted everyone from Mae West, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lewis to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles in the 1950s and 60s, and their photos still decorate the walls above the reception. ...
• • Source: Article: "End of an era as Vegas casino closes" written by Romain Raynaldy for AFP; posted on Sunday, 15 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1932nd 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 devotees • • Ramfis Diaz, Damon Devine • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
On 17 August 2010 MAE WEST was commemorated by an exaltation of Hollywood larks — — who flew in from all directions to alight at the venerable House of Ram.
• • Ramfis "Ram" Diaz, who hosted the very first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984 as a simple spaghetti supper, is a Westiana curator of a vast collection possessing surreal scope and almost Smithsonian dimensions. His latest invitation is shown here. 
• • Attendee and fellow devotee R. Mark Desjardins, who journeyed to California from Canada, and who has been researching the private life of Mae West for the past ten years, has penned a first-person account of this merriment.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • R. Mark Desjardins writes: The Mae West soiree was billed as a hot time and it certainly lived up to expectations and more! Here is my review.
• • It was a HOT night of Hot fun for a HOT star in Los Angeles, this past August 17th. Mae West always quipped she was born "in one of the hot months" and she loved the number eight. Born in 1893, this was the 117th anniversary of her birth and Los Angeles musician, Ramfis (who prefers to be known simply as "RAM") held his 26th consecutive annual Mae West party on the penthouse floor of his apartment residence, coincidently, suite number 710! All those "eights" can make a Mae West giddy, and what fun it was!
• • The South Gramercy address, once operated as a hotel beginning in 1936 for Paramount Studio, still has an elegant Art Deco feel. Although somewhat faded in glory, it still retains much of the ambiance that must have cheered Paramount stars who lived there in the mid 1930s. 
• • Over 85 participants, male and female, straight and gay, from 20-something to late-80s, African American, Latino, Caucasian, and any shade in between came together under a half moon on a gloriously warm night, the Hollywood sign visible to the north, tall palm trees swaying in the tequila colored sunset, coming together to raise a cup of cheer to the memory of Mae West. • • Tables laden with ethnic pot luck dishes homemade by the guests included Chicken Mole, Mexican rice, Thai noodles, salsas and salads of every description and all with a "hot" factor.
• • Among the participants were Kevin Thomas, film critic for the LA Times; Bob Buchanon, a former Dean at USC who befriended Mae; Damon Devine, Mae West fan extraordinare; Chris Basinger, former Ravenswood front desk clerk and friend of Miss West. Other guests included such far flung fans as John Beuscher from the Fort Lauderdale area, by way of Mae's old neighborhood in Brooklyn, and Mark Desjardins from Vancouver Canada, who has been researching the life and times of Mae West for 19 years. Another notable guest who made a brief appearance was the New York City-based Broadway entertainer and Mae West and Sophie Tucker impersonator — — talented Sharon McNight. [See her photo on yesterday's blog post.]
• • Shown in this party portrait, left to right: Mark Desjardins, Kevin Thomas, Chris Basinger, Gary Wares, Andre Simpson, John Beuscher.
• • On August 17th, the guests were entertained by various turns at the karaoke microphone by Ram, a Cher impersonator, and a local cabaret singer named Sonji, who transfixed the audience with her version of "All of Me."
• • Ram, who held the first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984, as a small scale spaghetti supper, has been experiencing health concerns lately which threatened the party this year. An incredible array of friends came to his rescue painting his front room, decorating, arranging the food and cleaning up afterward. Such stalwart pals as Chris, Robert, Tim, among many others know how important this event is and would not accept the soiree being canceled at any cost!
• • The morning after, as this writer looked at an early morning cloud formation, he could swear he saw the visage of Miss West herself winking down on him indicating she was very pleased with the whole affair!
Written by: R. Mark Desjardins of Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Ramfis, his 2010 invitation & some guests • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
On 17 August 2010 MAE WEST was saluted on a typical tropical night — — in Hollywood — — at The House of Ram. 
• • Ramfis "Ram" Diaz, who hosted the very first Mae West Birthday Tribute back in 1984 as a simple spaghetti supper, is a Westiana preservationist of epic proportions. Indeed many Angelenos would say that Ram's acquisitions of the movie queen's rarities would equal the passionate commitment of Thomas Bruce, the Seventh Earl of Elgin, who seized upon the Parthenon Marbles and brought these artifacts to Britain.
• • Devotee Damon Devine, who was photographed at the party, arrived late — — since he was being pursued all night by autograph seekers.
• • California transplant David Pekrol, a New Jersey native, invited an East Coast performer to the festivities — — and the very talented Sharon McNight delighted the attendees with her Mae West impersonation.
• • Sharon McNight portrayed Mae West at the party • • 
• • Sharon McNight, who made her Broadway debut in 1989, is the recipient of the coveted Theatre World Award for "Outstanding Broadway Debut" which was presented to her by Carol Channing. McNight's current project is "Betty, Betty, Bette," created to celebrate the screen legends Grable, Hutton, and Davis. She has six solo recordings to her credit. One of these is "The Sophie Tucker Songbook," which contains the music of her one-woman show based the show business legend. "The Sophie Tucker Songbook" debuted at New York's Rainbow & Stars as part of an ASCAP Sunday night showcase March 1996. Since then, she developed it into a one-woman musical, Red Hot Mama.
• • Canadian guest R. Mark Desjardins, who has been researching the private life of Mae West for the past ten years, has a full report on this annual jubilation in Southern California. His commentary will appear soon, punctuated by more photographs.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Los Angeles party guests 17 August 2010 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC
Mae West.
Had she lived, MAE WEST (born in 1893) would have been enjoying her 116th birthday on 17 August 2009. 
• • Happily, bi-coastal celebrations of her life and legacy have not stopped for the Mae-mavens among us.
• • Perhaps the Empress of Sex, who resided in a modest two-bedroom unit in the Ravenswood from 1932 — 1980 (where the blinds were always drawn), loved best her confined and old-fashioned white-and-gold living quarters, which made her feel safe. Similarly, some devotees have decorated their abodes in a retro style that must be labeled "Way Out West." Ramfis Diaz, a lifelong collector and MAE-niac, is in this number, enjoying his unique wall-to-wall Mae-Westian in a Los Angeles location so secret that anyone who attempts to enter is immediately pre-screened for waspish Jayne Mansfield tendencies. Or so we hear. 
• • This Mae-flavored Mecca was the scene of a festive annual gathering just days ago when the screen queen's faithful congregated on Ramfis's roof under a balloon-studded birthday sign. [See photos.]
• • "It was the best party we ever had!" proclaimed Damon Devine, a handsome Hollywood heart throb. "All the essentials were present: catered Chinese cuisine, a full bar, a sumptuous cake, and a very nice crowd. Mae West photos were everywhere along with big number 8s. Party-goers grooved to the sounds of cool late 1950s, early 1960s lounge music — — and, of course, lots of Mae West covers. The guest list was notable for its diversity in age and race. Once again, the red-headed nudist was there! He has become a fixture now! Chris Basinger (a friend of Mae West's and Ravenswood front desk clerk in the early 1970s) made it this year, as well as Kevin Thomas of the L.A. Times. In our midst was also a Mae West impersonator. I hope next year can match this!"
• •
Damon Devine added: "During our celebration, several Angelenos were logging on to your Mae West Blog via their i-Phones and PDAs. They love this site."
• • On to the buffet. Help yourself to a slice of eye-candy — — photographs sent courtesy of the devastatingly delightful Damon Devine, who crafted the beautiful Mae West doll in the center of the last photo.
• • Pictures are the property of Damon Devine and were used with permission. So show some respect or else you'll have to answer to Owney Madden, chump.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West's L.A. party 2009 • • courtesy of Damon Devine • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST loved music but her choices had little to do with with Mozart, Grieg, Chopin, or salon society. The blues compositions that got Mae moving had more in common with the wooden tables of smoky saloons. Many music-makers have grooved to the Empress of Sex. Hollywood resident Ramfis Diaz — — a handsome 47-year-old musician possessed of charm and deftly adorned by a-Mae-zing tattoos inspired by the Brooklyn bombshell — — is in that group. 
• • Having read an article about the screen queen's long-standing relationship with the professional fighter William "Gorilla" Jones, Ramfis Diaz decided to give the journalist a ring — — and here is the aftermath.
• • Mark J. Price, Beacon Journal staff writer, did a follow-up feature, titled "Gorilla Jones story a virtual knockout: Mae West fan pleased to learn about Akron boxer's role in life of actress."
• • Mark J. Price writes: Hollywood musician Ram Diaz, 47, called to say he loved our story about Akron boxer William ''Gorilla'' Jones (1906 — 1982), a former middleweight champion who was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this month.
• • Ramfis Diaz is a big fan of screen legend Mae West (1893 — 1980), who employed Jones as a bodyguard and chauffeur after he retired from the ring. Jones and West were close companions for 40 years and might have been romantically involved.
• • ''I didn't know much about Gorilla Jones because she was so secretive about her men,'' Diaz said. ''Mae West didn't kiss and tell. She might have given you a clue here and there.''
• • He believes such a clue can be found in West's 1932 movie "Night After Night," in which George Raft plays an ex-boxer. It was the same year that Jones won the middleweight title.
• • In one scene, Mae West remarks: ''Hey, Gorilla. Come here.''
• • ''She was given full right to rewrite her scenes in that movie,'' he said. ''So I know for a fact that she put that name in there.''
• • A lifelong collector of memorabilia, Diaz has been enamored with West since he saw My Little Chickadee on TV as a boy in the 1960s. He lives in a building near the late star's Ravenswood apartment complex.
• • ''I can actually see her bedroom window from my bedroom window,'' he said.
• • Since 1988 [when he was 26 years old], Ramfis Diaz has thrown a Hollywood birthday party in Mae West's honor every August 17 on the roof of Gramercy Tower in Hancock Park and in his top-floor apartment. The potluck dinner, which is open to the public, includes some of West's inner circle of friends, including Kevin Thomas, Tim Malachosky, and Chris Basinger.
• • Not all guests are acquainted with Mae West's work, though.
• • ''There's a lot of people that really don't know much about her, but they get educated when they arrive,'' Diaz said.
• • He praised the Beacon Journal article for teaching him something new.
• • ''That's the fascinating thing with Miss West,'' he said. ''There's always something new.''
• • Mark J. Price is a Beacon Journal copy editor. He can be reached at 330-996-3850 or send e-mail to mjprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
— — Source: — —
• • Column: "This Place, This Time: Going West"
• • Gorilla Jones story a virtual knockout: Mae West fan pleased to learn about Akron boxer's role in life of actress
• • Byline: Mark J. Price | Beacon Journal copy editor
• • Published in: The Akron Beacon Journal — — http://ohio.com
• • Published on: Monday, 29 June 2009
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• • In her hometown, New Yorkers also celebrate Mae West's birthday. One event open to the public is the Annual Mae West Walking Tour, which will be held on Sunday 16 August 2009. This year the walking tour begins at Shubert Alley and proceeds uptown to Mae's WESTside apartment. To get more details, read this blog and/ or post your email. [Your info will not be posted nor available so that miscreants and rascals can access it.]• • The tour takes a path up and down blocks associated with Mae West's career. For instance, the speak run by the George Raft character in "Night After Night" [1932] was based on Club Napoleon, a speakeasy on the grand scale, once located at 33 West 56th Street on a fancy block of Beaux Arts mansions. Years before it became an illegal ginmill, 33 West 56th had been the childhood home of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. • • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1932 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC
Mae West.
Go WEST, young men has been their clarion call for fifteen years now. In Los Angeles, California a group of Mae West celebrants are among the faithful who congregate, annually, on August 17th to remember her unique presence. 
• • Usually the festivities are organized by Hollywood resident Ramfis Diaz — — a 45-year-old musician adorned by a Fu Manchu mustache and impressively sculpted sideburns that snake around his jaw. A lifelong hoarder of Mae West memorabilia, Diaz has his walls peppered with spicy images of the movie queen at her most liquorous.
• • The merrymakers — — about 40 to 50 guests — — track back to the "come up and see me sometime" gal via various connections.
• • Los Angeles Times reporter Kevin Thomas, a close comrade of the late actress, always attends along with Chris Basinger (a good buddy of Mae's during the 1970s, who worked at the Ravenswood and lived across the street from her), and Damon Devine, a Mae-West-iana collector since age 11 and, like Mae, born under the zodiac sign of Leo.
• • According to the divine Mr. Devine, "The rest of the revellers are mostly there out of curiosity, or attracted by the food, cake, and booze. Also a red-headed nudist seems to show up each year!"
• • A toast to Mae West — — and the memories she stage-managed for each of her fans.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo courtesy of Damon Devine: • • Mae West's birthday cake • • 2007 • •
NYC
Mae West.
Happy Birthday to MAE WEST, the Brooklyn Bombshell, the Queen of Comedy, who maintained a long career onstage and onscreen and also toured the nightclub circuit.
