Mae West: Incoherent Plot?

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 21.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: An incoherent plot • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: If you can slip into that early 1930s [sic] headspace, you’ll hopefully find yourself gasping and giggling in all the right places.
• • Note: “She Done Him Wrong” is a period film set in the 1890s of Mae West’s youth.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: There’s also an infectious energy to the brisk pacing of the film and goofy, theatrical overplaying of its game extras.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Just don’t come into “She Done Him Wrong” looking for a coherent plot.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: As the many, many characters pass through, it’s best to stay focused on Mae West.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: It’s not much to ask.
• • Mae West: Second most famous film • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Sunday, 11 October 1936 • •
• • On Sunday, 11 October 1936, Los Angeles Times readers saw this intriguing news item: "Mae West's Driver Hunted." Provocative, eh?
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West’s last film, ''She Done Him Wrong,'' had made enough money to keep Paramount studios afloat, preserving American culture as we know it. In five years since she hit Broadway with ''Diamond Lil,'' the bawdy, busty blonde had become a major current in the American mainstream. Fans rushed to her every movie, aped her style, worked her witticisms into the language. She had become an icon of America struggling out of the Depression.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Of course, I had to have experiences to understand life. I had to know all about life to give people what they wanted on the stage."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article circulated in the press in 1935 discussed Mae West. What a misleading headline.
• • Mae West’s Latest Stunt Blows Up • •
• • By United Press — Hollywood, Oct. 10 — — The task of a dramatic hunt for an extortionist, who was alleged to have threatened Mae West film actress, was without a principal today. George Janios, the bus boy in a studio cafe, arrested when he fumbled with a dummy package planted in a vacant lot, was released.
• • Three other men, questioned by Blaney Matthews, chief investigator for Buron Fitts, district attorney, also were released.
• • Source: United Press coverage rpt by Healdsburg Tribune; published on Thursday, 10 October 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 5,099th 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: Erroneous Claim

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 20.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: To Cary Grant’s annoyance • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: To Cary Grant’s annoyance, Mae West would often erroneously claim to have essentially discovered him, although, even if that were true, this role is scarcely enough to have propelled him to stardom.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: In order to get the most out of “She Done Him Wrong,” you have to be able to place yourself in the mindset of an audience of the era.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: I’ve read numerous reviews that claim Mae West films no longer work for modern audiences because what was once seen as shockingly salacious now seems comparatively tame.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: I’ve never bought into this idea that a film must be timeless to have continued worth.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: In fact, one of the greatest joys of being a cinephile is having access to those doorways to different eras.
• • Mae West: An incoherent plot • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Friday, 10 October 1969 • •
• • The lengthy article "Mae West Draws Support from Young as Well as Old" was written by Rick Du Brow and syndicated to many newspapers including the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern on Friday, 10 October 1969.
• • Recalling an earlier conversation with the movie queen, Rick Du Brow wrote: At that interview by the way I inquired if she could cook and she replied, "Honey, nobody ever asked me." The lady is news plain and simple whatever she does.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • "I'm No Angel" is going to help redistribute a nice chunk of the nation's coin. That the Mae West film is going to make tubs of coin was crystal-clear opening day at the Paramount. Ushers were riding herd on a permanent corral of waitees in the lobby.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I don't believe that you need any kind of chemical to get high."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article circulated in Singapore in 1964 discussed Mae West.
• • "Mae West Back in Hospital" • •
• • UPI wrote: Hollywood, Friday — Actress Mae West, 72, who was discharged from Cedars of Lebanon Hospital last Wednesday after treatment for exhaustion, is back in hospital. A hospital spokesman said she returned yesterday for observation of the same illness. Her condition was listed as good. ...
• • Source: UPI rpt in The Straits Times; published on Saturday, 10 October 1964
• • 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 5,098th 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 • • onscreen in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Offers Diamonds

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 19.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: A young Cary Grant • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: And there’s also a pretty superfluous (sic) scene with a grotesquely hand-rubbing Jewish businessman.
• • Note: This scene demonstrates Lady Lou’s serious interest in Captain Cummings. To prevent his meetings from being shut down, she offers her diamonds to buy the building, Jacobson’s Hall, from Mr. Jacobson, the landlord. Superfluous? Hardly. Lee Kohlmar was cast as Mr. Jacobson.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Still, if these lazy stereotypes are underdeveloped, so are the other supporting roles.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: A young Cary Grant, despite receiving second billing, has very little to do as the director of the local mission, located next door to the saloon.
• • Note: Cary is also “The Hawk,” who is spying on Gus Jordan and who will bring about the climax when he arrests everybody including Lady Lou.
• • Mae West: To Cary Grant’s annoyance • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Sunday, 6 October 1918 • •
• • On Sunday, 6 October 1918 the New York Herald Tribune wrote about Mae's superb performance as Mayme Dean in the Broadway show "Sometime," noting "Mae West gave a capital characterization of a chorus girl in search of temptation, but never finding it, ..."
• • On Friday, 6 October 1933 • •

• • On Friday, 6 October 1933, Mae West wowed the world when Paramount released "I'm No Angel" directed by Wesley Ruggles and co-starring Cary Grant (in the role of Jack Clayton).
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Variety reported that Faye Dunaway will play Mae West in the upcoming film "The Calling."
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A campus reporter noticed 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 slitback. When the jacket was removed, the matelasse material appeared straight and slinky, in line with nothing in the way of a back. …
• • 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 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 5,097th 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: Dark Places

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 18.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: The 66-minute film goes to dark places • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: The complex comings and goings of the saloon patrons and staff attempt to introduce a dramatic thriller element and the film goes to some dark places with a suicide attempt, murders, accidental deaths, and a sex trafficking ring among the plot strands.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: It’s just too much for such a slender 66-minute film to contain and the other characters are too bland to make it play engagingly or even coherently.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Amongst the supporting characters, as you’d sadly expect in a 1933 film, are a few racist stereotypes.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: The talented Louise Beavers [8 March 1900 – 26 October 1962] made a career of playing maids, servants, and slaves.

• • Andy Goulding wrote: However, Beavers has one of her more degrading, thinly-written roles as Lady Lou’s maid Pearl.
• • Mae West: Young Cary Grant • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Saturday, 5 October 1918 • •
• • Mae West received top billing in the drama review of "Sometime" by The New York Times, a critique that was first published on Saturday, 5 October 1918.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Elizabeth Patterson, on loan-out from Paramount, has joined the cast of Mae West's current starring picture, under production at Major Pictures Corp., where Emanuel Cohen is producing for Paramount. Another actor signed by Cohen is Lyle Talbot, given a featured lead. Henry Hathaway is directing the Mae West production, with a cast which also includes Warren William, Alice Brady, Randolph Scott, Isabel Jewell, Margaret Perry and others.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Don't cry for a man who's left you — — the next one may fall for your smile.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The daily newspapers discussed Mae West and her banned gay play “Pleasure Man.”
• • "Mae West Show Closed by Police; 57 Indicted" • •
• • New York, October 4 — The 56 members of the cast of "Pleasure Man" and Mae West its author, were indicted today by the Grand Jury ... under the penal code relating to indecent theatrical productions and will be arraigned in general sessions tomorrow.
• • The accused were taken to the West Side court after the indictments had been handed down but the hearing was adjourned at the request of District Attorney Banton. …
• • Source: The Cornell Daily Sun; published on Friday, 5 October 1928
• • 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 5,096th 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 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest