Mae West: Continued Interest

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 63 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: The film strings together showpieces • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: This kind of musical, in which an afterthought of a plot is used to string together a series of showpieces, was not uncommon in the 1930s and 1940s.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: But they don’t tend to get shown much now because the material has often dated poorly.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: “The Heat’s On” seems to have survived above its contemporaries chiefly because of Mae West’s involvement and the continued interest in her work.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: However, its previous availability had been quite limited.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Its preservation here then is a cause for celebration for completists, even if it had little to offer the average viewer.

• • Mae West: For completists • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On 26 December 1946 in The N.Y. Times • •
• • Bosley Crowther wrote an obit: W.C. Fields, 66, Dies; Famed as Comedian.
• • According to Bosley Crowther's coverage: Pasadena, Calif., Dec. 25 —  W. C. Fields, the comedian whose deadpan gestures, raspy remarks and "never give a sucker an even break" characterizations made him a showman beloved the nation over, died today at the age of 66.

• • During the last ten years, the principal motion pictures of W.C. Fields were "Poppy," "The Big Broadcast of 1938," "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man," "My Little Chickadee," written by Mae West and Mr. Fields and starring both; . . . .
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Aileen St. John Brenon wrote: There are many things in Mae West’s life you've never even heard about, and that she'd never dream of mentioning.  
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "The idea for 'Every Day's a Holiday' came to me in 56 seconds."
• • Mae West said: "I had been starred but I was glad to go to Hollywood as a nobody."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Film Bulletin mentioned Mae West.
• • “Every Day’s a Holiday” Is One of Mae West’s Best Paramount ― [80 Minutes] • •
• • Mae West, Edmund Lowe, Charles Butterworth, Charles Winninger, Walter Catlett, Lloyd Nolan, Herman Bing, Louis Armstrong.
• • Directed by A. Edward Sutherland.
• • Here is one of Mae West's funniest pictures (probably the best since her first), yet it is the least suggestive.  …
• • Source: Film Bulletin; published on Saturday, 1 January 1938
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,143rd 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 1943 and in 1940 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Pitched to Fans

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 60 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: A film aimed at existing fans of both icons • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: “My Little Chickadee” was very much a film aimed at existing fans of both these comic icons and the thrill of the film is in seeing them in the same picture.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: Whether they enhance or detract from each other’s impact is a matter of taste.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: As a recent Mae West convert and a complete W.C. Fields novice, perhaps this is a 1940 motion picture I should revisit after I’ve seen more of the latter’s work.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: For now, “My Little Chickadee” is a not-quite-successful curio.

• • Note: Did you spot this goof? When the 'train' stops to pick up the W.C. Fields character, it consists of the locomotive only. The carriages then reappear in the next scene.
• • Note: The title text, 'The End,’ was superimposed over Mae West's gluteus maximus as she walked away from the camera.
• • Mae West: Her next film was in 1943 • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Monday, 20 December 1926 • •
• • It was on Monday, 20 December 1926 that the controversial tabloid Evening Graphic printed a publicity picture of Mae West onstage, costumed as Margy LaMont, actor Barry O'Neill sprawled out in a chair, under her. In her 1926 Broadway play, Mae wanted to depict a woman who has power over her men, a novel idea at the time for theatrical dramas.
• • On Monday, 20 December 1937 • •
• • On Monday, 20 December 1937, The Hollywood Reporter heaped praise on Mae West and "Every Day's a Holiday," writing that the motion picture was "sumptuous in atmosphere and setting."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Modern Screen wrote: If you can measure prosperity by the length of a person's automobile, then Mae West is the wealthiest gal in the world. Mae must have been saving the money she usually invests in diamonds, for she has just stepped out with a swank Dusenberg that's almost as long as a feature picture.
• • Modern Screen wrote: Mae's pretentious buggy sort of puts Bob Montgomery's imported Bentley Racer in the anti-climax department, but it hasn't taken away any of Mr. M's enthusiasm for his car.
• • Source: Modern Screen; issue dated Vol. 12, No. 1, December 1935.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My mother always understood me. I found out all there was to know about me. Then when I grew up, I changed the things I didn't like and spotlighted the things I admired."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Motion Picture Herald mentioned Mae West.
• • "Klondike Annie" ― ― Mae  West, Victor McLaglen • •
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: A report in the paper says that the county attorney of Lancaster  county, Nebraska, has applied for a court order restraining the theatres of Lincoln from showing  Mae West in "Klondike Annie."  
• • Motion Picture Herald wrote: Lincoln, Nebraska always was kinda funny that way. If they will team Mae up in a vaudeville act with Aimee “Scrapie” McPherson, we'll betcha it will draw the spotlight position on every vaudeville show in the land. …
• • Source: Motion Picture Herald; published on Saturday, 4 April 1936
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,140th 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 1940 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Closing Gag

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 59 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: Enjoyable to wait for Mae’s next scene • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: It made me curious to watch more of W.C. Fields’ work to see if his peculiar style is a taste I can acquire or not.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: But I did spend most of his solo scenes here mostly looking forward to Mae West reappearing.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: The closing gag, in which (mild spoiler here) the two stars speak each other’s catchphrases, is the key to “My Little Chickadee.”
• • Note: There’s a story that goes like this: W.C. Fields walked off the set over what director Edward F. Cline felt was a minor disagreement. When it was clear after two weeks that he was not coming back to finish the film, nearly one-third was shot using a double. The double used is unknown. It could have been John Sinclair, who had doubled for him in “Poppy” (1936), or David Sharpe, who was his stunt double in later films. The double wore a plastic mask and most of the shots were long shots.
• • Mae West: A film aimed at existing fans of both icons • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Sunday, 19 December 1948 • •

• • The date was Sunday, 19 December 1948.
• • Mae West sat in the VIP section of the audience during the famed TV variety favorite hosted by Ed Sullivan. The actress was in rehearsal in New York City at that time, auditioning for a new cast and preparing for a revival of "Diamond Lil," a production that would open on Broadway on 5 February 1949.
• • During the program's place in its own line-up [for Season 2, Episode # 15], it was still being called "Toast of the Town."
• • Note: Wearing a mink coat, Mae West shows off a fancy dress underneath. Atypically, though, Mae has taken off her hat.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Libby Taylor has been assigned to a comedy role in a RKO featurette, "Headline Comedy," in which the dramatic actress Ruth Etting brings her public career to a close. Meanwhile, Libby Taylor goes right ahead with her film career while also "maiding" for Mae West.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "The thing that worries me most ... is the reformers likin' me. When they do, I'll know I'm slippin'!"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A newspaper in Perth, Australia mentioned Mae West.
• • In the Sunday Times, a gossip columnist noted that, to celebrate the completion of her last picture, Mae West has given director Edward Sutherland a gold watch case inscribed "Come up and see me sometime — — and I'll give you the works." …
• • Source: Times [Perth, Australia]; published on Sunday, 19 December 1937
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,139th 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 1948 and a poster seen by Musso and Frank's • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest

Mae West: Misogynistic Humor

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 58 of 68.
• • Mae West in Hollywood 1932 – 1943 • •
• • Mae West: But the joke is aimed at W.C. Fields • •

• • Andy Goulding wrote: The joke is aimed at Fields, with the double punchline being that he hurt his foot on her corset and that she came back the following day and beat up both her attackers.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: But it’s hard to see where the humour ever was in a speech that features the line “I starts kicking her in the midriff.”
• • Andy Goulding wrote: It’s an odd example of violence against women being seen as an acceptable punchline.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: And this is a trope that, unfortunately, lasted well into the 1980s.
• • Andy Goulding wrote: “My Little Chickadee,” for all its failings, is a handsomely mounted film that passes 80 minutes quite enjoyably, especially when Mae West is onscreen.
• • Mae West: Enjoyable to wait for Mae’s next scene • • …
• • This will be continued on the next post.
• • Source: Blueprint Reviews U.K.; posted on Friday, 3 December 2021.
• • On Monday, 15 December 1930 • •
• • On Monday, 15 December 1930 this material was copyrighted: "Frisco Kate, a play in 3 acts" by Mae West.
• • Mae listed her address as 200 West 57th Street, New York, NY in 1930.
• • On Friday, 15 December 1933 • •
• • The release date for "She Done Him Wrong" in France was on Friday, 15 December 1933. In that country, the film's title was "Lady Lou."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •

• • Mae West — the femme fatale of the Bowery, bowling her leading men over one by one with her classical interpretation of a story-book strumpet.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I walk two or three miles a day. I eat lots of proteins and ... I don't think about anything that might bother me."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A new-sheet Gunsite Gossip mentioned Mae West.
• • Jeff Cooper wrote: In the German magazine Visier, we see the new H and K SOCOM as "Zu viel des Gutes," which means "Too much of a good thing." Are any of you old enough to recall what Mae West had to say about that?
• • Jeff Cooper wrote: According to the legend, she said "Too much of good thing is ... marvelous!"
• • Source: Gunsite Gossip; posted in December 1997
• • 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 5,100 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,137th 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 1940 and in 1933 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest