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MAE WEST starred in "Goin' to Town" [1935] and Dale Van Sickel was seen as a party guest.
• • Dale Harris Van Sickel hailed from Eatonton, Georgia where he was born in November — — on 29 November 1907. An All-American football player at University of Florida, the handsome six-footer coached at the university until 1932. He headed to Hollywood when he was 25 years old, where he found work as a double for Clark Gable, Robert Taylor, and Dana Andrews.
• • As an actor, Dale Van Sickel was attached to 288 titles on TV and in the cinema between 1932 — 1971. As a stunt man, Dale Van Sickel was attached to 165 titles between 1933 — 1976. Founding member of Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, he was their first president.
• • After a long illness, Dale Van Sickel died in Newport Beach, California on 25 January 1977. He was 69 years old.
• • In November, Let's Remember Cary Grant [1904 — 1986] • • 
• • Mae West discovered Cary Grant and introduced the handsome young Brit to Hollywood by having him co-star in two of her most successful films: "She Done Him Wrong" and "I'm No Angel."
• • One hundred and seven years ago, Cary Grant (or back then "Archibald Leach") was born at home on 18 January 1904. His home address at the time was: 15 Hughendon Road, Horfield, Bristol, England.
• • Cary Grant died in the month of November — — on 29 November 1986. The dashing leading man was 84 years old and had been married multiple times.
• • On 29 November 1941 • •
• • Liberty Magazine published a quiz "The Comedians' Comedians" supposedly penned by W.C. Fields. Several clues were about actress Mae West and actor W.C. Fields. The publication date was in November — — on 29 November 1941.
• • On 29 November 1960 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • As costume designer at Paramount Pictures, Edith Head took on a side chore: the custodian of a score of costumes — — worn by Mae West et al — — that had been sentimentally preserved because they contributed to movie history.
• • On 29 November 1960, an article in The New York Times discussed the final appearance of these glamourous gowns. "I'm only managing to hold them together with emergency sewing now. This will be about their last time out," said Edith Head. The collection, referred to as a "million dollar" affair, included Mae West's emerald green, jewel-encrusted come-up-and-see-me-sometime gown from "She Done Him Wrong," Texas Guinan and Clara Bow outfits, and Ginger Rogers's mink dress from "Lady in the Dark." . . .
• • Source: The N.Y. Times on 29 November 1960
• • 29 November 1998 in the Chicago Tribune • •
• • Famous quotes would appear in the section "Fast Track/ Replays" in the Chicago Tribune and this quote by Mae West — — "I only like two kinds of men: domestic and foreign" — — was printed on 29 November 1998.
• • On 29 November 2010 • •
• • Mae West's "A Guy What Takes His Time" was performed by Christina Aguilera in the (alas, poorly received) musical motion picture "Burlesque" costarring Cher and produced by Sony Pictures.
• • Additionally, "Burlesque" (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released to the CD-buying public by RCA Records / CD on 29 November 2010.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Judge, wherever there's a man concerned, I always do my best. " [Cleo Borden's movie dialogue from "Goin' to Town" in 1935]
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article about electric power in the state of New Mexico mentioned Mae West. It might be difficult to believe that when people think of public utilities in the Southwest, the first name that comes to mind is the controversial Brooklyn bombshell, but there you have it.
• • Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer Larry Calloway began his article this way: It's not recorded how Mae West felt about the issue of retail wheeling, or open access, to electric power, but her philosophy was cited by both sides in a legislative committee. And it's clear the consumer issue pits the state's most conservative city against the state's largest city.
• • Larry Calloway continued: You want to know what on earth the sultry 1930s film star could have said that's remotely relevant to 1990s public utility deregulation. You want to know how her philosophy resolves the issue of "stranded costs." You want to know if "open access" was what she had in mind with her famous reprise: "Why don'cha — — come on up an' — — see me sometime?" ...
• • Source: Article: "Mae West Influence" written by Larry Calloway for Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, NM); published on 27 July 1997
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2130th 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 • • with Cary Grant in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
The television movies for the week of November 13 — 19, 2011 will include two screen gems by MAE WEST. Both were originally released by Paramount Pictures and featured Cary Grant. Mae was given script credit.
• • "I'm No Angel" [1933, 1 hour, 45 mins.] starring Mae West will be broadcast on TCM on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 at 12:45 A.M.
• • "She Done Him Wrong" [1933, 1 hour, 15 mins.] starring Mae West will be broadcast on TCM on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 at 11:30 P.M. Note: This film will be aired as a "closed captioned" feature for the hearing impaired.
• • On 13 November 1975 • •
• • Jon Tuska's lavishly illustrated book "Films of Mae West" was published by Citadel in 1973. The first edition sold out. The second run was released on 13 November 1975. If you are a true Mae-maven then you must get a copy.
• • In November 2007 • •
• • In California, the Aurora Theatre Company staged a formidable revival of "Sex" starring Delia MacDougall as Margie LaMont, a role Mae wrote for herself. The critically acclaimed production was extended twice.
• • On 13 November 2007, The San Francisco Chronicle ran a review. The title was "Aurora Theatre beds Mae West's 'Sex'" and sitting at the Drama Desk was Robert Hurwitt, Chronicle Theater Critic. Actor Steve Irish co-starred as the play's leading man.
• • Robert Hurwitt wrote: Mae West wasn't the first to discover that sex sells, but she was the first to put it on a Broadway marquee. As she was being hauled off to jail with her cast, she told a reporter she thought it would be the making of her. It was. Within a few years of the 1926 opening of "Sex," which ran for almost a year before it was busted, she was in Hollywood and one of America's best-known and highest-paid stars. ...
• • In November 2009 in Chicago • •
• • Mae West's play "Sex" was shown in Chicago until 21 November 2009. The production was staged by the Prologue Theatre Company and performed here: North Lakeside Cultural Center [6219 N. Sheridan Avenue in Chicago].
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said this about nudity: "There's nothing sexy about nudity. Anybody can take off their clothes."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A gossip column by Louella Parsons mentioned Mae West.
• • Louella Parsons writes: How Hollywood did buzz today when it was whispered that Mae West was booked for a concert tour and would sing and do an act similar to the Harry Lauder sketches. ...
• • Source: Column: "Mae West Booked for Concert Tour" written by Louella Parsons for The San Antonio Light; published on 12 July 1937
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2113th 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 • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST wrote the role of Tira the circus star and lion tamer for herself, based on her vivid childhood impressions when her father took her to Coney Island to see Bostock's lion house. Last year, this blockbuster screen comedy inspired a colorful fashion spread in the magazine Harper's Bazaar. Made up as the irresistible come-up-sometime Brooklyn blonde was the seductive model Laetitia Casta in a special editorial feature by Jean Paul Goude. One two-page spread was styled to resemble the interior of a lion cage. Fashion model Laetitia Casta — — costumed as Tira in "I'm No Angel" — — disarms her prey by wearing baby blue do-or-die-devastating daywear by Dior.
• • Once again, this year, Mae West's well-loved motion picture has inspired a new work — — in this case, a performance artist has created a daring, nail-biting live act, The Lion Tamer, inside a trendy art museum. Let's go back to the Bowery (right off Prince Street) this week! 
• • The artist explained her piece this way: The Lion Tamer is influenced by two films: "The Dresser" [1983], which tells the story of an aging actor's personal assistant who struggles to keep his charge's life together; and by "I'm No Angel" [1933], in which Mae West plays Tira, a lion-tamer who tames the beasts on stage and the “society swells” offstage. For Performa 11, Spartacus Chetwynd attempts to tame the crazed egos of the very participants in her own piece, where an attempt to emulate the lion-taming act provides a cathartic role-play for the divas within the performance troupe. Presented in the 231 Project Space at the New Museum, the site-specific work will create a psychological space in a confined arena within the supposed freedom of the 20-minute performance.
• • WHERE: New Museum, 235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002; Tel 212-219-1222
• • WHEN: showings held on November 2nd — 3rd, 2011
• • Hedda Lettuce and Mae West with Lions on the Westside • •
• • Female impersonator Hedda Lettuce continues to host the popular "Chelsea Classics" series at Chelsea Cinema every Thursday night [7:00 PM — 9:30 PM] starting at 7 o'clock with a cheeky prologue by the frisky drag artist. On Thursday, 8 December 2011, Hedda presents "I'm No Angel" [1933]. Chelsea Cinema posted this advisory: "Warning: Pre Show for Mature Audiences Only." One night only; tickets $7.50 each.
• • WHERE: Chelsea Cinema on West 23rd off Seventh Avenue
• • WHEN: 8 December 2011• • In November, Let's Remember Harry Richman [1895 — 1972] • •
• • Entertainer Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972] was an actor, a singer, dancer, comedian, pianist, songwriter, bandleader, and cabaret performer. He was born Harold Reichman in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• • In 1966, his autobiography "A Hell of a Life" was published. In it he recounts his private and public relationship with Mae West.
• • Harry Richman married three times. All three marriages ended in divorce. He lived it up until age 77 and died in Hollywood, California in the month of November — — on 3 November 1972.
• • On 3 November 1990 in The L.A. Times • •
• • When the Los Angeles Times ran his obit, this was the title: "Craig Russell, Actor And Widely Known Female Impersonator, Was Mae West Fan." The bio-note that touched on his career highlights, printed in the newspaper on Saturday, 3 November 1990, informed their West Coast readers that "Craig Russell, star of the 1977 film 'Outrageous,' hailed by critics as an insightful tale of the gay underworld in which a schizophrenic girl moves in with a struggling female impersonator, has died of a stroke resulting from AIDS, a Toronto hospital official said. He was 42. ..."
• • On 3 November 2001 in The Scotsman • •
• • A book review of a Mae West biography by scholar Jill Watts ran on 3 November 2001. Critic Carole Morin wrote this first paragraph: Mae West was 39 by the time she made it to Hollywood as the big blonde who had lost her reputation and never missed it. She began performing at the age of four, encouraged by her pushy mom, Tillie, and her boxer father, bad Jack. Tillie ran a bootleg hotel for Owney Madden, owner of the Cotton Club, giving mineral water-drinking Mae and her alcoholic sister opportunities for affairs with gangsters and actors. ...
• • On 3 November 2005 • •
• • When the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco began their Paramount Pre-Code film fest, they asked: "Who better to launch this festival than Mae herself?" And I'm No Angel" was first on the list, screened for Bay area fans on 3 November 2005. And 87 minutes of Mae West and Cary Grant — — yes, that would be more fun than a circus.
• • On 3 November 2007 in Germany • •
• • Rita McBride's event on her Mae West sculpture, "Mae West and the Hyperbolic Parabola," was in Germany at the Galerie Klueser from 14 September 2007 through 3 November 2007, the final date. The enormous art work now stands on a traffic island not far from this art gallery.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "A woman in love can’t be reasonable — — or she probably wouldn’t be in love."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article about famous visitors to a (former) NYC mayor's wife mentioned Mae West.
• • N.C. Maisak writes: Augusta Gaynor, the grande dame of Deepwells, is accustomed to receiving the world's rich and famous. After all, at one time or another, Mae West, John Barrymore, Fanny Brice, Coco Chanel, Annie Oakley, Mary Pickford, Harry Houdini, Mae West and Madam C. J. Walker have sat down in her elegant Victorian parlor for a cup of tea. ...
• • Source: Article: "Giving History Some Flesh and Blood" written by N.C. Maisak for The New York Times; posted on 18 November 2001
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2103rd 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 • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST selected songs written by an African American composer who died in mid-October — — Henry Creamer.
• • Henry Creamer [1879 — 1930] • •
• • Born in Richmond, Virginia, Henry Sterling Creamer [21 June 1879 — 14 October 1930] was a pop song lyricist. He co-wrote many hits during the years from 1900 — 1929, often collaborating with Turner Layton, with whom he also appeared in vaudeville. Creamer was a co-founder with James Reese Europe of the Clef Club, an important early African American musicians and entertainers organization in New York City. Mae worked with the Clef Club in the early 1920s.
• • In 1918, Henry Creamer wrote the words for the hit "After You've Gone" — — an enduring classic and every major artist has covered it.
• • Mae West performed "After You've Gone" in "Sextette" [1978], a song she fondly remembered from her New York years when she frequented the hottest night spots in Harlem.
• • And on the LP "The Fabulous Mae West," Mae recorded "If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)," a favorite written in 1926 by lyricist Henry Creamer and the black composer and pianist James P. Johnson.
• • Henry Creamer died in New York City in the month of October — — on 14 October 1930. He was 51 years old.
• • On 14 October 1937 • • 
• • Members of the news media in Los Angeles received a press invitation to "Mae West and Friends" for George Rector's afternoon tea, from 5 to 7. This event took place on Thursday, 14 October 1937 at Major Studios, which was located here in 1937: 1040 N. Las Palmas.
• • Mae appeared with restaurateur George Rector in the motion picture "Every Day's a Holiday." The set was built to look like the inside of Rector's once located in the Times Square area. Mae said that her parents had taken her to dine there when she was a little girl. The dignified restaurant owner stayed busy in his retirement years; he went on to produce best selling cookbooks.• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I'm a pretty good observer myself. I like to study character, especially where men are concerned. But as you know, I've got a reputation for that. ..." [personal letter in 1949 written in Manhattan on hotel stationery]
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in The New York Times discussed Mae West on 14 October 1933.
• • The movie critic wrote: Arrayed in a variety of costumes which set off her sinuous form, Mae West is appearing at the Paramount in her latest screen vehicle, "I'm No Angel," a title which, as might be surmised, fits the leading character. Here Miss West, who wrote the story herself from "suggestions contributed" by Lowell Brentano, is beheld as a circus beauty named Tira, who wins applause and admiration by risking her blond head in a lion's mouth twice daily.
• • It is a rapid-fire entertainment, with shameless but thoroughly contagious humor, and one in which Tira is always the mistress of the situation, whether it be in the cage with wild beasts, in her boudoir with admirers or in a court of law.
• • Tira is ever ready with a flip double entendre and she permits no skeleton to be found behind her cupboard doors. She has an emphatic personality, which proves a magnet for even social lights with millions. She receives costly presents, including diamond necklaces, but she is hardly a gold-digger. She refrains from posing, preferring to keep to her natural slangy speech in her journey through the story from a tent to a penthouse.
• • She admits that she has thrown discretion to the winds and she sometimes finds herself in an awkward predicament, but through a wily lawyer she succeeds in proving that she is guiltless. The feeble parts of this picture are those in which a criminal known as Slick is introduced. The less one sees of him the better one feels, for the production is interesting only as long as it proceeds on its merry route.
• • The glimpses of Tira making her impressive entry to the circus arena and then proceeding to the big cage with the roaring lions are depicted shrewdly. Tira does not actually stick her whole head in the lion's mouth, but contents herself by putting her face between the beast's jaws, which is quite enough. Even this is set forth with a certain degree of fun, and one feels that Tira probably has a pistol ready for an emergency and that other circus employes are ready to shoot in the event that the beast starts to close its mouth. But one is apt to wonder whether they could possibly be quick enough. Society among the spectators is thrilled, all except one snobbish girl, who is furious because her fiancé is very enthusiastic over the performer's courage — and her beauty.
• • Later there comes the time when Tira puts her fair head into a court of law as the plaintiff in a breach-of-promise case. She sues Jack Clayton, whom she really loves, for $1,000,000, and it is not Tira's artful counsel who wins the case, but the circus queen herself. She crossexamines the defendant's witnesses and turns their testimony in her own favor, the unusual proceeding being countenanced by a judge whose sympathy Tira wins with the utmost ease.
• • Miss West plays her part with the same brightness and naturalness that attended her second film rôle. There is no lack of spontaneity in her actions or in the utterance of her lines. She is a remarkable wit, after her fashion. Cary Grant is pleasing as Clayton and Walter Walker is excellent as the considerate old judge. Gregory Ratoff does well as Tira's lawyer. Wesley Ruggles has directed the film with his usual intelligence.
• • Source: Movie Review: "Mae West Reveals Herself as a Circus Queen in 'I'm No Angel' at the Paramount" written by a New York Times critic for The Times; first published on 14 October 1933
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2083rd 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 • • with George Rector in 1937 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
When MAE WEST's character Tira sat down to have her horoscope read in "I'm No Angel," actor Nigel De Brulier was opposite her, elaborately costumed as Rajah the Fortune Teller. 
• • Born in the month of July — — on 8 July 1877 — — in Bristol, England, Nigel De Brulier began his long career in 1914 during the silent film era. Casting agents must have appreciated the five-foot-eight performer and he managed to successfully transition into "talkies." His authoritarian manner, crisp enunciation, poise, and aristocratic carriage gave him entry to the roles calling for cardinals, bishops, knights, priests, captains, prophets, and other authority figures he often portrayed. The character actor stayed busy until 1943 and was seen in 119 big screen productions. Nigel De Brulier died in Los Angeles on 30 January 1948. He was 70 years old.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West (born on August 17th) wrote this snappy dialogue for her characters Tira and Rajah in "I'm No Angel" [1933].
• • Background: Tira, who performs in a circus sideshow, is famous for her hootchie-cootchie style — — a gal who discovered you don't have to have feet to dance. One evening Tira goes to the resident gypsy to have her fortune told. Rajah [played by Nigel de Brulier], the astrologer reads her horoscope.
• • • Rajah: You were born in August.
• • • Tira: Yeah, one of the hot months.
• • • Rajah: It was on the 17th under the sign of Leo, the Lion.
• • • Tira: Aw, King of the Beasts, huh.
• • Tira [pronounced TY-rah] is warned to be careful that night — — because she could be unlucky. Tira tells him that she'd like to know her future (because she knows all about her past).
• • • Rajah: Ah, you have a wonderful future. I see a man in your life.
• • • Tira: What — — only one?
• • • Rajah: But this is one very particular man. He is very wealthy, enormously wealthy.
• • • Tira: ... What does he look like?
• • • Rajah: I see he has brown eyes. In fact, I see two men... two different men. In the near future, I see a change. ... I see a change of position.
• • • Tira: Sitting or reclining? . . .
• • • Rajah: The horoscope — — keep this where you may consult it frequently.
• • • Tira: All right, I'll take it to bed with me.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A movie buff in Mumbai, India writes: While the late American actress Mae West had declared, "The curve is more powerful than the sword!" And the one time sex goddess should know this from her experience and from lots of it. Here's looking at the curvaceous B-Town girls... .
• • Source: Review article: "Being curvy is the new rage in Bollywood" written by The Hit-List Team in Mumbai, India for Mid-Day News; posted on 7 July 2011
• • 17 July 2004 — 17 July 2011 • •
• • In mid-July the Mae West Blog will celebrate its seventh anniversary. Thank you to all those Mae-mavens who come up and see Mae every day.
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1985th 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 • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST sat down once with Mal Vincent. Now Mal has promised his fan base that "Mae West will invite audiences to come up and see her. (At last, I am brave enough to host this one, and, yes, we did meet and have dinner.)" So be sure to join the popular Virginian-Pilot film critic on 1 August 2011 when he screens "I'm No Angel" at his annual Classic Movie Festival, which opens next Monday evening with Bogart and Hepburn in "The African Queen." 
• • Speaking about Mae's circus picture, in which she stars as koochie cutie Tira the Incomparable, Mal Vincent says: Mae West stars with Cary Grant in the film that illustrates why, and how, she was Mae West. Sexual attitudes in America can be designated Before Mae and After Mae. She is the only star who is also in the dictionary, thanks to the Navy’s life vest named for her. Beyond the movie: the story of how Miss West hosted an intimate dinner party I attended.
• • What: The Annual Classic Movie Festival
• • Who: Hosted by Virginian-Pilot film critic Mal Vincent
• • Where: Naro Expanded Cinema, 1507 Colley Ave., Norfolk, VA
• • When: Monday evenings; phone for details: (757) 625-6276
• • Tell them you read about it on the Mae West Blog.
• • Variety, 7 July 1916 • •
• • The resident scold sat stone-faced through "Mae West and Sister" at Proctor's Theatre near Madison Square Park. Later on, Sime Silverman pulled up his tight garters as he sniffed and snorted behind his keyboard like an overheated carriage horse. "Unless Miss West can tone down her stage presence in every way," he sneered, "she just might as well hop right out of vaudeville and into burlesque." And if the unabashed Brooklynite was going to continue to be so disarmingly aggressive, Sime scolded Mae by suggesting that she should get up onstage next time in "men's dress altogether."
• • In Her Own Words • • 
• • Mae West wrote this line for her character Tira [said to Slick Wiley]: "What'd you do? Get your hair cut — — or have your ears moved down?"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • From a book review of A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion by Ron Hansen [NY: Scribner, 2011], one North Carolina critic feels that murderess Ruth Snyder likes to talk like Mae West.
• • Gary Carden writes: From their first encounter, this “jazz couple” seem to be hopelessly drawn to each other; their wild roller coaster affair is an exhilarating rush to destruction. Yet, they are a product of their time. Ruth Snyder quips like Mae West, an actress she admires: “Better to be looked over than overlooked,” she says when sees admiring males looking her over. She sings Irving Berlin songs, peroxides her hair a vivid blonde and knows all the current dances. She is, after all, “a real jazz baby.” Her lover Judd Gray quotes the classics, attends the theater, affectionately refers to Ruth as “Momsie,” and ....
• • Source: Review article: "Murder, sex and celebrities — 1920 style" written by Gary Carden for Smoky Mountain News; posted on 6 July 2011
• • 17 July 2004 — 17 July 2011 • •
• • In mid-July the Mae West Blog will celebrate its seventh anniversary. Thank you to all those Mae-mavens who come up and see Mae every day.
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1984th 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 • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
MAE WEST was in an amusing scene with Mahlon Hamilton. He was cast as a sideshow spectator in the opening scene of "I'm No Angel" [1933], one of the men pressing closer to ogle Tira in her hilariously over-the-top "Little Egypt" costume.
• • Born in Virginia on 15 June 1880, Mahlon Hamilton launched his movie career in 1914 and was seen in numerous featured roles for the next two decades. In 1929, he took part in "Honky Tonk," starring Sophie Tucker. After 1934, however, he often got work but mostly as an extra. Increasingly, he was patched into the background as a party guest, doorman, pedestrian, musician, doorman, businessman, etc. He worked in Hollywood films until 1950 when he was 70 years old; he has 98 big-screen titles to his credit. Stricken by cancer, the busy bit part player also died in the month of June — — on 20 June 1960 — — in Woodland Hills, California shortly after his 80th birthday.
• • "I'm No Angel" Blooper • •
• • During a close-up when Tira looks through a pile of phonograph records with different titles ("That Dallas Man," "That Frisco Man," etc.), all of the labels have same serial number.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Tira: What do you do for a living?
• • Ernest Brown: Oh, uh, sort of a politician.
• • Tira: I don't like work either.
• • [Source: Mae West wrote her own lines for "I'm No Angel," 1933.]
• • Quote, Unquote • • 
• • Is that Mae West disguised on a pack of Camels?
• • A recent article draws awareness to a few ‘hidden secrets’ on the Camel cigarettes pack. One is the mysterious ‘man/ woman in the Camel leg.’ According to urban legend, the front leg of the Camel on the packet in fact contains a woman standing with her hands on her hips (highlighted and labeled for your convenience). That’s what some people think. Others see a man, the Belgian ‘peeing boy’ and even Mae West! . ..
• • Source: Article: "Conspiracy: Smoke and mirrors" written by staff for The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine; posted on 19 June 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1967th 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:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
TWO castmates who appeared in "I'm No Angel," written by and starring MAE WEST, share a date in June.
• • Born in Wichita, Kansas, Hattie McDaniel was billed in the credits as Tira's Maid-Manicurist. She has a June birthdate — — 10 June 1892. After a remarkable career, Ms. McDaniel died at age 60 on 26 October 1952 in Woodland Hills, California.
• • Born in St. Louis, Missouri on 24 August 1879, Lew Kelly was seen briefly as the animal keeper for the circus that employs Tira. The same year, Lew Kelly was also seen as Sourdough, the hotel manager in "Tillie and Gus," which starred W.C. Fields as Augustus Winterbottom and Alison Skipworth as Tillie Winterbottom, two performers who also worked with Mae West.
• • The busy bit parts player, first hired in 1928, was subsequently attached to 217 titles and ended his silver screen career with "Barbary Coast Gent" [1944], where he was briefly seen as a stage passenger. Employed right up to the end in minor roles, Lew Kelly died at age 64 in Los Angeles in the month of June — — on 10 June 1944.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Tira: Always remember, honey. A good motto is: "Take all you can get and give as little as possible!" Don't forget, honey. Never let one man worry your mind. Find 'em, fool 'em and forget 'em! [Source: Mae West wrote her own lines for "I'm No Angel," 1933.]
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • From San Angelo, Texas, Britt Towery writes: At one time folks thought Mae West was what we needed. At one time all America needed was a five-cent cigar. Cigars have disappeared and Mae West is but a life preserver and some still think America needs something. ...
• • Source: Article: "Life really is a comedy of errors" written by Britt Towery for Go San Angelo; posted on 9 June 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1957th 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 • • 1933 • •
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Mae West.
MAE WEST worked twice with Lee Phelps, who appeared in almost 650 motion pictures between 1917 and 1953 and received his wages but very little advancement or screen credit.
• • Born in Philadelphia in the month of May — — on 15 May 1893 — — Lee Phelps made his home in Culver City, California where several studios were based and where castings directors sent out a daily call for extras. He often played a cop, a guard, a bartender, a deliveryman, or a face in the crowd. Greta Garbo fans may remember when she ordered a whiskey in "Anna Christie" [1930] — — and he served it to her.
• • His Irish face and shiny pate can be spotted in "She Done Him Wrong" [1933] as a saloon waiter-singer and also (in a small comic moment) during "I'm No Angel" [1933] as a sideshow spectator who leers at kootchy-koo dancer Tira. Working right up to the end, Lee Phelps died in Los Angeles, California on 19 March 1953. He was 59 years old.
• • On 15 May 1964 • •
• • Mae West was interviewed by journalist Martin J. Quigley for Motion Picture Herald. The article appeared in the 15 May 1964 issue of this popular fan magazine devoted to screen stars.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Howard Simons writes: Mae West may have said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful,” but even she knew better. Anyone who is drowning in money had best consider it is still drowning, and that is a fate to be avoided. . . .
• • Source: Article: "The Condition of the Financial Sector and the Limits to Money" written by Howard Simons for Minyanville: posted on 9 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1931st 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 • • 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
When MAE WEST was launching her stage career, she emphasized her dancing ability and physical exuberance. Like the newcomer George Raft, variety artist Mae became known for fast footwork. At the Shubert Theatre, a young soldier in the audience named Leonard Hall noted that she was a "slender, beautiful ball of fire who performed as a specialty dancer in high kicks, cartwheels, and fast taps. She was a tasty tornado." Those fancy steps were the result of years of studying with Ned Wayburn, whose birthdate is at the end of March.
• • Born in Pennsylvania, Ned Wayburn [30 March 1874 — 2 September 1942] was a choreographer. His promotional campaigns pictured some of his most successful dance pupils — — and though Mae was not featured on those testimonials, Ned taught her to dance and cast her in several shows, adding heft to her resume and stage career.
• • Tira Titillates on TV • • 
• • Paramount Pictures was too terrified to show Mae's hip movements. Her gyrations are merely suggested in the opening segment of "I'm No Angel," when she appears in an outrageous kootchy-kootchy harem costume and is introduced as "Tira the incomparable," the gal who realized you didn't need feet in order to shimmy.
• • In his column "Notable TV Screenings," Ken Hanke writes: Depending on your stamina — or your DVR or DVD recorder hard-drive capacity — you could easily start at 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, on TCM and just keep watching till about 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, without hitting a single clunker. It starts with Wesley Ruggles’s Mae West film "I’m No Angel" (1933). This is Mae’s second starring film — and her second with Cary Grant. It’s also perhaps her most elaborate film and definitely one of her best and most pre-code racy vehicles. Nothing quite matches Mae singing “They Call Me Sister Honky Tonk” and then surveying her leering audience and saying, “Suckers,” though telling Louise Beavers, “Beulah, peel me a grape,” ain’t bad. This is followed by Ernst Lubitsch’s "Trouble in Paradise" (1932) ....
• • Source: "Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler March 30 — April 5" written by Ken Hanke for Mountain Express; posted on 29 March 2011.
• • 30 March 1927 • •
• • By 30 March 1927, twelve male jurors had been selected for Mae West's "Sex" trial set for Jefferson Market Court on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Sportswriter Patrick Kennedy jokes: Coach Evan Robinson, who is to over-confidence what Mae West is to chastity, would be lying if he said he wasn't concerned. His edginess stems from the club's sudden lack of grit and no-guff approach, both large, loud factors in the Game 3 defeat in Oakville. ...
• • Source: Sports Page: "Voyageurs desperate for victory" written by Patrick Kennedy, The Whig-Standard, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; posted on 24 March 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1884th 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 her 1933 costume as Tira • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
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Mae West.
