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 • •
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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: A Risqué Singer

MAE WEST is getting new appreciation, thanks to Kino Lorber and Blu-Ray.
• • Raymond Benson reviewed the Mae West Kino Lorber Blu-Ray Releases.
• • Here is his take on “She Done Him Wrong,” filmed in 1932 and released in 1933. This is Part 2 of 2.
• • It is Mae West at her best • •
• • Raymond Benson wrote: Mae West is Lady Lou, a risqué singer in an 1890s Bowery saloon (New York City), where the owner and sometimes boyfriend, Gus (Noah Beery Jr.), is also running a prostitution ring (heavily implied) and counterfeit money operation.
• • Raymond Benson wrote: Captain Cummings (Cary Grant) is an FBI man masquerading as the director of the mission next door. While he’s investigating the crimes undercover, Cummings and Lou become attracted to each other.
• • Raymond Benson wrote: For a movie that’s just a little over an hour, the plot is seriously complex!
• • Raymond Benson wrote: Nevertheless, it’s grand entertainment—it’s West at her best. The Blu-ray disk comes with two audio commentaries—one by film historian David Del Valle, and the other by film historian Kat Ellinger.
• • Raymond Benson wrote: There is also an introduction from Turner Classic Movies by Robert Osborne, as well as a vintage Walter Lantz cartoon starring Pooch the Pup, “She Done Him Right,” that borrows heavily from the style and tone of the Fleischers’ Betty Boop cartoons. The theatrical trailers and other West trailers round out the package.
• • Source: Cinema Retro; posted on  Monday, 14 June 2021.
• • On  Monday,  8 July 1935 • •
• • Mae West returns in “Goin’ to Town"  • •
• • On  Monday,  8 July 1935, The Daily Banner (Indiana) wrote: As a girl who knows what she wants and thrives on opposition, the new and modem Mae West returns to the screen in “Goin’ to Town," current attraction at the Voncastle Theater. The blonde star’s new vehicle  tops all her previous efforts for comedy, romance, intrigue, and vocal efforts.
• • Glitteringly arrayed in the styles of 1935, Mae West plays a cattle baron's widow with money to burn and warm affections. And to get a man, she transports herself from a small mid-western town to Buenos Aires and Southampton, and through a series of gay and hectic adventures. Paul Cavanagh has the leading male role.
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •

• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for 17 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 • •
• • Camille Paglia's fascinating article was published in Interview Magazine. Her title was "Where's Mae West When We Need Her?" and Paglia discussed why Hollywood movies must restore the "H" factor — — the humor and the humanness.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "My life hasn't been any bed of roses. I never felt anything like secure until just recently. I've never felt free to get married."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Billboard mentioned Mae West.
• • "Come On Up, Ring Twice," with Mae West at the Cass Theatre, Detroit. ...
• • 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 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 4,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,773rd 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 • • artwork by Covarrubias in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Illusion of Height

In late 1933, Central Press commissioned a series of stories on the life of MAE WEST, described to their readership as “the first authentic account of her personality, habits, origins, and background.” Here is a short excerpt (Part 2 of 2 segments).
• • Mae West’s Drama of New York in the Gay Nineties — — in Extremely High Heels • •
• • Mae West made herself taller by wearing extremely high heels • •
• • George Lait wrote: Actually, she is only five feet four inches tall [sic] and she weighs 120 pounds. In an effort to build up her weight, Mae went on a special diet, one meal of which could keep a family for a week.  [Ed: Mae West was barely five feet tall.]
• • Ah, Me! Ah, Mae! • •
• • George Lait wrote: She drank bottles of cream spread and pounds of butter on rich pastries. But the best she could do was to work herself up to 135 pounds. Mae, therefore, made herself taller for the role by wearing extremely high heels and a high pompadour.

• • George Lait wrote: She also accentuated her already voluptuous, buxom appearance by wearing a specially designed padded corset affair, which gave her the appearance of some additional weight. She wore a similar contraption for her role in her first starring film, “She Done Him Wrong.”
• • Her next vehicle was “The Constant Sinner,” which ran for nine months [sic] in New York and, when warm weather came, Mae decided to take a rest.
• • But her vacation was not destined to last. Pictures were to claim Mae West. ...
• • Central Press Editor’s note:  This is the fourth of a series of stories on the life of Mae West, the first authentic account of her personality, habits, origins, and background published in 1933.
• • This excerpt written by George Lait has now been concluded with this post [Part 2 of 2]. 
• • Source: Syndicated content written for Central Press rpt in Winona Republican Herald (Winona, Minnesota); published on Tuesday, 12 December 1933.
• • On Sunday, 20 May 1934 in The L.A. Times • •
• • The article "So Mae West's Slipping? Not So She Can Notice It!" was published in The Los Angeles Times in their weekend edition on Sunday, 20 May 1934. By then Mae had two motion picture hits behind her and her third "Belle of the Nineties" would be released in September 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • As with all the Mae West films, her showmanship personality dominates the scene.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "If we can send a man to the moon, why don’t we send all of 'em?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Canberra Times mentioned Mae West.
• • "Inflation Hits Mae West" • •
• • Miss Mae West, publicised as the "girl with the 50,000 dollars treasure chest," now holds a policy for that amount from Lloyds of London. ...
• • Source: News Item in The Canberra Times; published on Wednesday, 21 May 1952
• • 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 15th anniversary • • 
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fifteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,400 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,478th 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 • • shoes worn by Diamond Lil in 1928 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Tonight at 9:15

Come up and see MAE WEST tonight at 62 Second Avenue. Anthology Film Archives organized a frisky series called "From Mae West to Punk: The Bowery on Film" and we applaud them.
• • On Friday, 16 May 2014 at 9:15pm, join us for an hour of hijinks with Mae West on the Bowery in her Naughty Nineties classic "She Done Him Wrong" (66 minutes) — — co-starring Cary Grant as the man who will handcuff her at the end and promise to be "her jailer" for life. Directed by Lowell Sherman.
• • Bowery historians have said this:  "Recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, the iconic Bowery is NYC’s oldest thoroughfare. Indian trail, Dutch farm road, site of America’s first streetcars and Lincoln’s epochal anti-slavery speech at Cooper Union, it was the stomping ground for the Astor family, the swaggering Bowery Boys, immigrants, the working class, and gays. Even bluebloods came there on slumming tours."
• • For further details on this rollicking line-up of Bowery titles, visit the online calendar of New York City's Anthology Film Archives. See you tonight, Mae-mavens.
• • On Thursday, 16 May 1946 • •
• • The stage play "Ring Twice Tonight" opened in Long Beach, California on Thursday, 16 May 1946 before moving forward on its cross-country tour. The title was changed and became "Come On Up."
• • On Monday, 16 May 1966 • •
• • It was on Tuesday, 9 April 1974 that young Janet Damita Jo Jackson [born in Indiana on Monday, 16 May 1966] stepped onstage dressed as Mae West. The little girl was making her public debut performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with the better-known members of her singing family. The eight-year-old rehearsed with her brother Michael, who gave her tips about Mae West's persona and intonations.  Happy Birthday, Janet.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West's personal appearance sparked Robert Wise to propose a television special, which producer Stanley Musgrove is now preparing for Wise’s company and Universal.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I think movies today are going too far. They’re using sex as a crutch; whenever the story starts to drag, they throw in a female body so you’ll forget how lousy the script is."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Hollywood column by Bob Thomas discussed Mae West.
• • "Mae West Steals Show from Stewart and Leroy at University Tribute" • •
• • According to reporter Bob Thomas, this memorable evening was scheduled as a tribute to James Stewart, Mervyn Leroy, and Mae West. Predictably, Miss West stole the show. It was one of those annual banquets of the honorary cinema fraternity at the University of Southern California, and the gathering was a curious mixture of the academic and entertainment worlds. Nostalgia was the keynote, and the diners viewed photographs from various films of the three honored guests as these were flashed on the wall of the campus dining room.  . . .
• • Bob Thomas explained: Next came Miss West. She agreed to accept an honorary membership in Delta Kappa Alpha — — if she could do it her way. That's the only way she operates.  ...
• • Source: Syndicated column rpt in Times Tri-Cities; published on Wednesday, 14 February 1968 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2915th 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 • • in 1932 • •
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