Mae West: Safer in a Cage

MAE WEST is back onscreen. This assessment of her Blu-ray line-up is by Stephen Bjork. This is Part 3 of his lengthy review.
• • "I'm No Angel" (Blu-ray Review) • •
• • Mae West: Safer in a cage • •
• • Stephen Bjork, quoting film dialogue: “Tira can handle them cats like nobody else. She's safer in that cage than she is in bed.”

• • Stephen Bjork, quoting film dialogue: “I don't doubt that.”
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: Tira is one of Mae West’s best characters, a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to do whatever is necessary to get it.
• • Stephen Bjork wrote: She isn’t ashamed of herself, and instead of being the one who has to play defense against a society which is unwilling to accept an empowered woman, she’s the aggressor in taking action against someone who she feels has done her wrong.
• • Mae West: Tira as a huntress • • . . .
• • Stephen Bjork’s article will continue on the next post.
• • Source: The Digital Bits; published on Friday, 30 July  2021.  
• • On Thursday, 26 August 1954 • •
• • According to vintage newspaper ads, the roving "Mae West Revue" opened their performance schedule in Reno, Nevada starting on Thursday, 26 August 1954.  
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • According to the Mayors of some seaport cities now in convention in New York, Mae West is TOPS!  Asked by Paul Moss, Commissioner of Licenses, who their favorite screen star was, they unanimously selected Mae so Boris Morros, in appreciation, is having the Mayors as guests of the N. Y. Paramount today. Miss West is now in her fifth week at this house with her newest motion picture, "Goin' to Town.”   
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My pictures don't shock me, but I have been genuinely shocked by stories and some scenes I have seen in pictures."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An Esquire reporter interviewed Mae West.
• • Helen Lawrenson wrote: Mae West lives in the same apartment she has had since she first went to Hollywood in 1932. It is called The Ravenswood Apartments.
• • Helen Lawrenson wrote: Mae West tends to get deliberately vague about her financial affairs, but she has always had a reputation as a hard-nosed businesswoman, and estimates of her total take can range from four to six million. …
• • Source: Esquire Magazine; published on Saturday, 1 July 1967
• • 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 4,800 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,808th 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 • • as a lion tamer in 1933 • •
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Mae West: Vision in White

“MAE WEST stood a mere 4 feet, 6 inches tall — — a shocking revelation to those who do not know everything Mae West,” states this article in Film Fracture. Let us focus on the movie queen's work in her rags to riches circus script and Mae's fascinating Deco-licious costumes designed by Travis Banton.
• • Keep in mind this quote by Mae West: “Nudity in a motion picture detracts from your face and personality. That’s why I never show my ankles.” This is Part 9 of 11 parts.
• • TCM Classic Film Festival: The Legendary Costume Design of Travis Banton, with Mae West in I’m No Angel • •
• • Mae West: A vision in white • •
• • Kathryn Schroeder wrote:  Mae West is a vision in white, with the feather headdress and fringe accents.  

• • Kathryn Schroeder wrote: Her act is no typical circus act, and this woman is about to entice, excite, and paralyze the audience with her performance.  
• • Kathryn Schroeder wrote: The same may be said for Mae West as an actress in all of her films.
• • Kathryn Schroeder wrote: And with the help of Travis Banton Mae became a spectacle to be seen in her costumes, perfectly accented at every moment and every angle.
• • Paramount's Costume Designer: Who was Travis Banton? • • ...
• • This article continues on the next post.
• • Source: Film Fracture; published on Wednesday, 18 April 2012.
• • On Sunday, 11 June 1989 in The L.A. Times • •
• • 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."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West is buxom now, opulently curved.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "My hobby is collecting beds. I own one that was made for Diamond Jim Brady and a few others."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article quoting an Episcopal Cardinal mentioned Mae West.
• • In Rome last week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal consecration George Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago gave his views about the cinema industry and the Legion of Decency which he helped to further last spring. Said this Prince of the Church:
• • ''We are going to give the movie producers a chance to see what they can do. We do not want to put the movies out of business."
• • ''We do not like the Mae West type. ... The kind of film in which actors like Will Rogers or Victor Moore, and the actress Janet Gaynor appear in is what we have in mind." . . .
• • Note: Will Rogers, age 55, died on Thursday, 15 August 1935.
• • Source: Time Magazine; published on Monday, 1 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 16th 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 4,700 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fifteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4,754th 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 • • "I'm No Angel" in 1933 • •
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Mae West: Back to the Bowery

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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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
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Mae West: Tira Takes October

On 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).
• • Writing about this new release by Paramount Pictures, Variety's reporter Land weighed in, calling Mae West "as hot an issue as Hitler." Remarkable, eh? Land wrote: Needless to say this opus will scarcely get on the reformers' recommended lists. But with the tide running the opposite way, perhaps the spleen of the moralists isn't such a factor right now. And anyway, Mae West is today the biggest conversation-provoker, free space grabber, and all-around box office bet in the country. She's as hot an issue as Hitler.
• • Source: Variety [edition 17 October 1933]
• • Milton and "Big Boy" in October • •
• • It was during October 1924 that Mae West attached herself to the subversive song sheet for "Big Boy," a run-away hit by the lyricist Jack Yellen [1892 — 1991] and the composer Milton Ager who was born in the month of October — — on 6 October 1893. "Big Boy," with explicit lyrics about a darktown sheik who drives both pale and brown-skinned women wild in bed, was offered by Advanced Music Corp. on a song sheet disguised with artwork depicting a jaunty white male.
• • When the Wolverines recorded "Big Boy" in October 1924, this number had already become hugely popular. Though Mae was offered no opportunity to record this, she did pose quite fetchingly on the song sheet.
• • On 6 October 1959 • •
• • In early October — — on 6 October 1959 — — newscaster Charles Collingwood had taped an interview in the screen queen's apartment. Questioned about the title of her new memoir Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It, Mae West replied, "It's about my private transgressions — — that's a long word for sin." The suits viewed the footage and were afraid to air it.
• • Born in Michigan, Charles Collingwood [4 June 1917 — 3 October 1985] was a pioneering CBS television newscaster. Collingwood was a protege of Edward R. Murrow during the Second World War and became known as an eloquent on-air journalist. He was part of a group of distinguished early television journalists that included Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid, and Murrow himself.
• • Despite a constant battle with the bottle and a feverish addiction to gambling, Collingwood went on to become chief correspondent of CBS and host of its "Eyewitness to History" series.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “Beulah, peel me a grape.” [Tira said it in "I'm No Angel," 1933.]
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article about the Hotel Fauchere's history mentioned Mae West.
• • Tina Traster writes: The hotel was originally founded by Louis Fauchere, a Swiss man who had been the master chef at Delmonico’s in New York, in 1852. Over the years, Andrew Carnegie, Mae West, Sarah Bernhardt, Babe Ruth, and Presidents Roosevelt (both of them) and Kennedy bedded down here. The Fauchere family closed the hotel in 1976. Like John Berendt, other writers and artists have been inspired by Milford, Pennsylvania . . . .
• • Source: Article: "Marvelous Milford" written by Tina Traster for The N.Y. Post; posted on 5 October, 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2075th 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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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • with Cary Grant in 1933 • •
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Mae West: Pennsylvania Cabaret

MAE WEST and her obscenity trials will be the focus of a new cabaret revue that starts tomorrow.
• • Cabaret Red Light puts Mae West on trial, calling to the stand the same cast of misfits and managers who witnessed her meteoric rise to power from footlighted stage to silver screen. Starring two-time Barrymore nominee Jess Conda as Mae West with comedy veteran Jim Boyle. There is an original jazz orchestra score by Chris Aschman, who leads the show's six piece jazz band during this musical comedy which includes dancing and (yes) puppetry.
• • What: Musical-Comedy: "Mae West: Looking Pretty & Saying Cute Things — — The Obscenity Trials of Mae West"
• • When: October 6th — October 9th, 2011
• • Where: Adrienne Theater: 2030 Sansom St. [3rd floor], Philadelphia, PA 19103; T. 484-995-3431
• • Photo: Jess Conda costumed as Mae West
• • On 5 October 1918 • •
• • Mae West received top billing in the review of "Sometime" by The New York Times, which was first published on Saturday, 5 October 1918.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “I have an extra thyroid gland. It gives me twice the energy and twice, the — — you know — — everything else I guess."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An essay about Ventura County's history mentioned Mae West.
• • Mark Storer writes: The Conejo Valley Historical Society presents Tales of Old Conejo at the inn, a living-history event with more than 40 actors presenting scenes of life in the Conejo Valley from 1876 through 1938 . . . . Actress Mary Carrig also played Mabel Stark, a former nurse who fell in love with animal training and came to what used to be Jungleland in Thousand Oaks in the 1930s. "She always struck me as a little girl playing with her kittens," Mary Carrig said of Mabel Stark.
• • "I did a lot of research on her and was able to hear her voice because she was interviewed in 1950 on 'This is Your Life,' " she added. "She was the first honorary mayor of Thousand Oaks, and she was a real firebrand, full of spirit."
• • [Liontamer] Mabel Stark and actress Mae West were friends, Carrig said. "Mae asked Mabel, 'If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?' and Mabel answered 'Mabel Stark.' [sic] I think that says it all," she said. ...
• • Source: Article: "Tours bring Conejo Valley history alive" written by Mark Storer for the Ventura County Star; posted on 4 October, 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2074th 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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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • Mabel Stark • •
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Mae West: Roaring

The third week of August ends the roaring reign of Leo the lion [July 23rd — August 22nd], the astrological sign MAE WEST was born under. Borrowing details from her own bio for the dialogue with the fortuneteller in "I'm No Angel" who says, "You were born under Leo," Mae's character Tira, a novice lion tamer, replies, "Yeah, the king of beasts, huh?"
• • Perhaps the horoscope that Rajah hands Tira lists some of this information: Sun in Leo 25°22'; Moon in Scorpio 11°27'; Mercury in Leo 11°04'; Venus in Virgo 24°06'; Mars in Virgo 1°03' (and other details whose importance will be understood by some, but pooh-poohed by others). In this 1933 motion picture comedy, Tira often consults this forecast, seeking guidance on her career and romances.
• • On 23 August 1922 • •
• • It was 23 August 1922 when The Clipper announced that Mae West had returned to vaudeville and would be opening (again) at Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre starting that Monday. This was the same venue that had booked "Mae West and Sister" in its charming auditorium steps from Madison Square Park.
• • Kathleen Freeman • •
• • A laugh-getter who appeared with Mae in "Myra Breckinridge" [released in the USA on 24 June 1970] also had ties to variety. Chicago native Kathleen Freeman made her vaudeville debut at age 2, becoming a part of her parents' act.
• • Born on 17 February 1919, the heavy-set comedienne portrayed Bobby Dean Loner in the screen version of Gore Vidal's bestseller. The UCLA graduate's first goal had been to shine as a professional pianist but, after thoroughly enjoying her work with several stock productions, she changed gears. Kathleen Freeman once said: "I think comedy is more powerful than drama in the long run. Comedy is more difficult. It's very easy to make people cry."
• • She made her first motion picture appearance in 1948 at 29 years old. The reliable character actress was used as a comic foil by Jerry Lewis in several of his films. Her stocky figure, expressive face, energetic laugh, and supple voice-craft served her well, keeping her in demand and busy juggling parts on the silver screen, TV, and also on Broadway.
• • Kathleen Freeman, 82 years old, was cast in a Broadway production when she died in New York City during the month of August — — on 23 August 2001 — — of lung cancer. Engaged on stage until the very end, the octogenarian had given her final Tony nomination performance for her role as the piano player in Broadway's musical hit "The Full Monty" on August 18th, and five days later she was gone.
• • John Garcia, Executive Director/ Producer of "The Column" Awards, created an award in her honor. This prize is given to individuals who overcome personal, physical, or other major problems in their lives and continue to work in theater, whether behind or in front of the curtain. Kathleen Freeman embodied the true spirit of the Broadway gypsy: "The show must go on." Applause!
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West wrote this exchange for "I'm No Angel" [1933], a big hit for Paramount Pictures.
• • • Tira: Come on, can't you hurry up and get that thing fixed? I gotta get back. I'm expecting Mr. Clayton at the apartment.
• • • Bill Barton's Chauffeur: I'm doing the best I can, ma'am.
• • • Tira: Yeah, your best is no good. Try doing your worst.
• • • Bill Barton's Chauffeur: Yes, ma'am.
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Kings County historian Vernon Parker wrote: As the curtains closed over the screen on 22 August 1962, the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre at Flatbush and DeKalb avenues was history. ... Gracing its ornate stage during its reign as the mecca of Brooklyn entertainment were such celebrities as Mae West, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Rudy Vallee, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, and most of the big band era orchestras. ...
• • Source: Article: "On This Day in History: August 22 — — Paramount’s Last Picture Show" written by Vernon Parker for The Brooklyn Eagle; posted on 22 August 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2031st 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: Queen of the Jaguars

An intimate showing of a MAE WEST classic is always a welcome event.
• • And this brings to mind the oddity that not much has been written about the women Mae West admired, for instance, trailblazers such as Amelia Earhart, Texas Guinan, Marie-Louise Morelli, and Mabel Stark.
• • Mabel Stark was the beautiful blonde wild animal tamer who doubled for Mae during some of the big top scenes in "I'm No Angel" [1933].
• • As a child visiting Dreamland with her Dad in 1904, Mae West was dazzled by the fearlessness of Madame Marie-Louise Morelli, who trained leopards, jaguars, and tigers. In advertisements that billed the petite Frenchwoman as "Queen of the Jaguars," the jungle prowlers were referred to as Morelli's "treacherous pets." Awed by Madame Morelli's smooth command in the cage, the curly-haired little Brooklynite (born in August under the sign of Leo) decided one day she, too, would come face to face with the King of Beasts.
• • Born in Kentucky, Mabel Stark [9 December 1889 — 20 April 1968] was America's premier tiger trainer during the 1920s.
• • During a photo shoot with Mabel Stark, Mae West was asked if she could see herself trading places with anyone and she said: "Yes, it would be this Mabel Stark, the Tiger Girl!"
• • See if your eyes are sharp enough to spot Mabel Stark next week in the vintage footage when the Canadian cinema historian Reg Hartt will be screening Mae West's circus film "I'm No Angel" (written by Mae and based on her fond memories of Bostock's lions in Coney Island). Film archivist and celluloid connoisseur Reg Hartt, who will be introducing this screen classic, had also offered Mae West's first starring film "She Done Him Wrong" (based on her stage play "Diamond Lil" with its Bowery setting) until 2 July 2009.
• • About "I'm No Angel," Reg Hartt had this to say: Mae West was a star of such enormous clout that she was able to dictate her desires. She changed forever not only the role of women in the movies but also the way women in real life saw themselves. “When I am caught between two evils,” she said, “I generally take the one I have not yet tried.” This feature film was made in 1933. It was written by her.
• • The Cineforum is the unique movie emporium that Mr. Hartt operates out of his Bathurst Street living room in Canada.
• • Though the Cineforum has existed for the past four decades, it was not until 1992 that it was moved to his parlor. British painter Peter Moore described the intimate, old-fashioned Cineforum as “the most perfect place in the world to watch a motion picture.”
• • WHERE: Cineforum — — 463 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario.
• • WHEN: 7:00 PM on 20 July 2009 [Note: Monday evening only]. Program personally introduced by Reg Hartt.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West: 35 Cents

MAE WEST leads the parade of screen gems when Film Forum rolls out the red carpet this coming Friday in Manhattan.
• • This new series — — "Breadlines and Champagne" — — is focused on Depression movies, pre-Code classics, screwball comedies, and the socially conscious plots that worked their way to the silver screen. There will be Prohibition Era treats such as the Tuesday special which is being billed as "Bank Nites."
• • Programmed by Bruce Goldstein, and featuring all 35mm prints, this is the best news since bathtub gin was perfected.
• • The opening night stars Mae West and Cary Grant, in a screenplay written by the Brooklyn bombshell and inspired by her awe of Bostock's lions in Coney Island, which she enjoyed as a child. Those trips to Dreamland with her father created Mae's desire to be a lion tamer — — and in "I'm No Angel" Tira will get her chance to enter the big cage and eyeball the king of beasts.
• • Here is what some critics have said about "I'm No Angel."
• • • • "Mae West was the sensation of 1933. A total delight to watch." — Andrew Bergman
• • • • "Going to help redistribute a nice chunk of the nation's coin. Mae West is today the biggest conversation-provoker, free space grabber and all-around box office bet in the country." — Variety (1933)
• • • • "Arguably West's best film, certainly one of her funniest." — Pauline Kael
• • "There weren't that many films that dealt directly with the Depression," says Bruce Goldstein, repertory director at Manhattan's Film Forum. "But you got a feeling of the desperation — — the lower-class rooms, the spartan look of things. There's an almost palpable atmosphere."
• • "Breadlines and Champagne," Goldstein's upcoming retrospective at the Forum, offers New Yorkers the thrill of enjoying 50 Depression-era movies in new prints. Friday's opening night showcases Mae West's "I'm No Angel," and a 1933 admission price of 35 cents.
• • Why weren't there more of these classics? "Cycles come and go," says Goldstein. "I think people were tired of those Depression-era movies, and the studios wanted to make more escapist entertainment. And after the Production Code came in (in 1934) everything got sanitized — — there were certain kinds of characters and certain kinds of stories you just couldn't do anymore."
• • For the complete schedule, stop by Film Forum.
• • Every Tuesday movie-goers will enjoy the revival of an old-time tradition of giveaways so prepare for some good old-fashion fun.
• • "Breadlines and Champagne" runs from Friday February 6th through March 5 at the Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street, New York, NY. Info is available by phoning 212-727-8110 — — or by visiting www.filmforum.org online.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: Strong Woman

Strong women are getting media coverage as this presidential election moves towards "home run" turf — — and MAE WEST is being mentioned in the conversation.
• • Without drinking the John McCain Kool-Aid, reporter John Farr writes about Sarah Palin: "The lady gives off a quality that used to be called "spunk" — — a combination of confidence, toughness, and charm that wins over voters, even when a track record commensurate with the office she seeks is lacking. Right or wrong, many Americans like the fact that Sarah [Palin] dares to be strong."
• • John Farr explains: The same phenomenon represents a recurring theme in film. Over the years, movies built on strong female characters have consistently entertained and inspired us. Instinctively, we root for these characters as we do for all non-conformists. These are women who confront head-on those ingrained roles which only gradually have faded from society — — whether it's being judged by the man you marry, the conflict between motherhood and competing in a male-dominated world, or the lopsided moral burden placed on a lady to maintain her "virtue." To navigate these thorny obstacles, a woman must be resolute, independent, and smart.
• • When John Farr gives examples, Mae West is the first on his list — — even though he forgets that her character's name was Tira. He notes: Take the larger-than-life example of Mae West. In the timeless "I'm No Angel" (1933), she plays a blatantly sexual, flamboyant lion tamer named Mira [sic] who happily conquers men, displaying their framed likenesses like so many trophies. She is unafraid and unashamed of who she is, knows her assets and how to use them. At the same time, she is decent to anyone who shows her a modicum of respect. When a young Cary Grant appears to warn her away from a smitten friend, he too falls under her spell. But we see that it's not just her ample curves that attract him, but also her integrity, attitude and humor — — in short, the whole package. . . .
• • Other Hollywood motion pictures and actresses are discussed in his piece "The Lure of Strong Women." The citation is below so that you can read it for yourself.
— — Excerpt: — —
• • Article: "The Lure of Strong Women"
• • Byline: John Farr
• • Published in: The Huffington Post — — www.huffingtonpost.com
• • Published on: 24 September 2008
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: 6 October 1933

On 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).
• • To celebrate that blockbuster — — in which Mae steps into a lion's cage, thereby making a childhood dream come true — — let's revisit a vintage scene [see below] along with a vintage film review.
• • Curiously, the critic concludes that Mae West is as hot as Hitler in his coverage that appeared in the venerable Variety [issue of 17 October 1933].
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• • VARIETY's Film 1933 Review of "I'm No Angel" • •

• • "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.
• • As to quality, "I'm No Angel" can stand alone — — although without "She Done Him Wrong" as a benediction an a million bucks' worth of assorted publicity, high-brow, and hoi polloi, the gross probably wouldn't reach the big brackets now looming. Also it is fairly obvious that the same plot mechanics and situations without Mae West wouldn't be a motion picture at all. But that's no criticism. Simply chronicling the fact that it's all Miss West plus a good directing job by Wesley Ruggles and first rate studio production quality in all departments.
• • Comedy detail has been adroitly worked out and the picture is strongly fortified on laughs, all derived from the West innuendos and the general good-natured bawdiness of the heroine, whose progress from a carnival mugg-taker to a deluxe millionaire-annexer is marked by a succession of gentlemen friends, mostly temporary, and usually suckers. When reaching affluence, the carnival gal is serviced by four colored maids in an ultra-penthouse and garbed in the flashy manner of an Oriental potentate's pampered pet.
• • Every now and again Mae West bursts into a song, generally just a chorus or a strain. They're of the Frankie and Johnny genre, but primarily she plays a lion tamer, not a songstress.
• • Needless to say this opus will scarcely get on the reformers' recommended lists.
• • But with the tide running the opposite way, perhaps the spleen of the moralists isn't such a factor right now. And anyway, Mae West is today the biggest conversation-provoker, free space grabber, and all-around box office bet in the country. She's as hot an issue as Hitler.
• • Source: Variety [edition 17 October 1933]
• • Byline: "Land"
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• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1933 • •
NYC
Mae West.