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In 1914, when MAE WEST and Guido were doing the variety circuit, they were jointly booked at the Majestic in San Antonio, Texas in early September. Thanks to the San Antonio Light newspaper, which gave a detailed account of the performance, we have a good idea of the impression created by the accordion king and his sexy Brooklyn bride. Let's spend some time with the star-crossed couple in honor of the Italian musician's birthday.
• • Guido Deiro [10 June 1886 — 26 July 1950] • •
• • Throughout 1914 and into the early part of the next year Mae West and Guido Deiro trouped together, performing from coast to coast on the same stages. Quite often the Italian musician was singled out as the stand-out hit. In 1914, still developing her brand, Mae West was noticed as "the Eva Tanguay of vaudeville," "the original Brinkley girl," or a singing comedienne "with a style all her own."
• • When the two entertainers performed at the Majestic, the Texas newspaper San Antonio Light wrote: The brass predominates in a march-time introduced by the Majestic orchestra, then softens down to almost nothing, and into the spotlight bursts Deiro, king of the accordeonists with his magnificent piano-accordeon. Without a pause, his fingers start their nimble skipping up and down the dual keyboards, and out to the audience float the strains of ages old masterpieces and the most modern of rags and ballads. At will Deiro, expressing the mood of the moment, commands the best music of the world and plays it as a master for his auditors. . . .
• • Deiro is not alone in the honor column, however; six other acts share it with him including Mae West, the "Eva Tanguay" of Vaudeville. . . .
• • Illustration: Mae West at the Majestic Theatre in 1914.
• • Source: Review from San Antonio Light; published on Tuesday, 8 September 1914.
• • On Sunday, 11 June 1989 • •
• • The L.A. Times wrote: "I'm No Angel" (Channel 5, Saturday at 3:15 a.m.): Mae West was never better as a carny dancer turned lion tamer who conquers high society and vamps Cary Grant as well; this is the one in which she ad-libbed (sic), "Beulah, peel me a grape."
• • On Friday, 11 June 2010 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • On Friday, 11 June 2010 in The N.Y. Times, reporter Sara Polsky described a 28-foot-wide Manhattan mansion recently listed for sale.
• • In the early 1930s, 266 West End Avenue belonged to actress Mae West. Beverly stayed on for awhile in Mae's home before it was sold.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West received word yesterday that the inmates of the Iowa State Penitentiary have voted her their favorite, this despite her having been instrumental in sending a man to prison recently for robbing her. Jail's news organ, the Presidio, has asked her for a photograph and an interview.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can’t figure out what from."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Associated Press discussed Mae West.
• • New York, June 10 (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Salvatore A. Cotillo expressed unreserved admiration today for Frank Wallace, an actor, because he wanted to be declared Mae West's husband. I admire him, said the justice, but I'm afraid there is nothing for me to do but dismiss the case.
• • Mae West's counsel contended she had not been properly served in the suit. . . .
• • Source: Item in the Daily Illini (Illinois); published on Thursday, 11 June 1936
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •
• • Thank
you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this
past decade. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a
milestone recently when we completed 3,100 blog posts. Wow!
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3198th blog post.
Unlike many blogs, which draw
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reprinted
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or
a
magazine
and/
or
summaries,
links,
or
photos,
the
mainstay
of
this
blog
is
its
fresh
material
focused
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the
life
and
career
of
Mae
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herself
an
American
original.
•
•
Come
up
and
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Mae
every
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online:
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1914 • •
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NYC Mae West
It was March 1924 and MAE WEST was deep in the heart of a Texan.
• • It's also true that she was 30 years old and watching her star-dusted dreams slowly dimming. When she did snag a booking, it was on a low-level variety circuit. Though a few years before she had negotiated an appearance fee of $500, in 1924 she was accepting gigs for only $125 a week. During this frustrating interval, she was hiring and firing her accompanists.
• • Imagine Mae's state of mind as she trouped during the month of March in 1924 through the southwest, where she had accepted a four-week contract to perform on the Interstate Vaudeville Circuit. Covering Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, this was one of variety's least desirable routes and a far cry from Broadway.
• • In Houston, Texas, the Brooklyn bombshell turned the head of a publicity flack for a nearby playhouse.
• • Eventually, the Associated Press discovered a marriage license [dated 22 March 1924] obtained — — but never used — — by Mae West and a local theatre press agent named R.A. "Bud" Burmeister.
• • Was it a touch of Cupid or career capitulation that made Mae entertain the idea of settling down? Maybe Mae was overcome by the heat of hormones — — or did she have a pregnancy scare? And how long could she have known Mr. R.A. "Bud" Burmeister, a 34-year-old resident of Harris County, Texas anyway? Hmmmmmm.• • Before any orange blossoms were ordered for the bride, Mae took off (as scheduled) on March 23rd for San Antonio, where she played through March 24th.
• • Perhaps this was the time when Mae registered at the famous Menger Hotel. Located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, this landmark was built in 1859 (23 years after the fall of the adjacent Alamo) by William Menger, a German immigrant. In 1898, Teddy Roosevelt had used the bar to recruit Rough Riders which fought in Cuba in the Spanish-American War.
• • The Menger was San Antonio's most popular hotel in the 19th Century. Mae West along with O. Henry, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Babe Ruth, Oscar Wilde, and others were known to frequent the bar and hotel, which was periodically enlarged and remodelled to accommodate more guests. The Menger Hotel is located here: 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205.
• • After such a rough ride with romance, Mae headed for the footlights in a Fort Worth theatre, and then saddled up for an engagement in Detroit before returning to the East Coast — — and a long hitch of unemployment.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
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Mae West.
