Sunday, January 29, 2012

Mae West: January Decadence

One highlight of a fundraiser in the mid-Atlantic region will be a special appearance by MAE WEST and W.C. Fields.
• • Taking place today on January 29th, the event, which has a Roaring Twenties theme and music from the Charleston era, is called "An Evening of Decadent Desserts" — — and has been organized to raise cash for the 19th Annual Frederick Festival of Arts. Only 150 tickets will be sold.
• • WHEN: Sunday, 29 January 2012 — — from 5:00pm — 7:30pm
• • WHERE: Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick, Maryland; Tel 301-662-4190
• • Tell them you heard about it on The Mae West Blog.
• • Jimmy Durante [1893 — 1980] • •
• • During 1922, Mae West was writing a new stage act, material for herself and an accompanist, featuring fast-paced skits and songs. Faced with choosing a pianist, Mae had auditioned two unknowns, Brooklynite Jimmy Durante [10 February 1893 — 29 January 1980] and Harry Richman [10 August 1895 — 3 November 1972]. Mae selected Richman, a tall, handsome, dapper fellow. Stagebills soon offered her new show: “Bits of Musical Comedy — — Mae West assisted by Harry Richman.” After some good notices, Mae snagged a booking at the Palace.
• • Even though he missed his chance to appear with Mae, Jimmy’s career continued to blossom.
• • Unfortunately, a stroke in 1972 left Durante confined to a wheelchair. He died of pneumonia in Santa Monica, California in January — — on 29 January 1980. He was 86.
• • Happy Birthday on the 29th of January • •
• • Happy Birthday to actress Ann Jillian (born on 29 January 1950), who portrayed Mae West in the 1982 TV bio-pic of the same name. Jillian was 32 when she starred in "Mae West" on the small screen.
• • Happy Birthday to actor Tom Selleck (born on 29 January 1945). It's been said by a few people that Mae West first noticed Tom Selleck in a Pepsi commercial. She was responsible for getting Selleck cast as The Stud in "Myra Breckenridge" [1970] when he was 25 years old.
• • On Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn • •
• • Mae West was a witness at her younger sister's wedding, which took place on a weekday, Monday, 29 January 1917 in Brooklyn City Hall, not far from the West family's Brooklyn residence.
• • January 1971 in Playboy Magazine • •
• • An interview with Mae West was featured in Playboy, Vol. 18, No. 1 — January 1971. Naturally, the Hollywood legend was invited to tell all about the men on her mattress. She did volunteer that the fellows who drink make the worst lovers.
• • Mae West told Playboy readers: "I don't remember how many lovers I've had, there were so many. I was never interested in the score, though — — only the game. Like my line, 'It's not the men in my life that counts but the life in my men.' ... I'm never dirty, dear. I'm interestin' without bein' vulgar. I have taste. I kid sex. I was born with sophistication and sex appeal. But I'm never vulgar, and I don't like obscenity. I just suggest."
• • Mae West explained to Playboy's interviewer: "I've liked the boys for as long as I can remember. When I was 12, I'd have about six of 'em around me and we'd kiss and I'd play with their — — umm, you know. But I didn't know I had this sex personality."
• • On Sunday, 29 January 1978 in Sunday Express • •
• • Since "Sextette" had a British director, articles discussing what happened on the set in Hollywood popped up in the British tabloids. An article discussing a scene filmed in a mock elevator appeared in Sunday Express on 29 January 1978.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in The L.A. Times on parlor games mentioned Mae West.
• • Jack Smith wrote: Others picked Charles Lindbergh, Mark Twain, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and Mae West. Of that group, I would pick Mae West first. I interviewed her once, and she certainly was a wit. . . .
• • Source: Article: "Look Who's Coming to Dinner: Hitler, Jesus, Mae West" written by Jack Smith for The L.A. Times; published on 29 January 1991
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2192nd 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 • 1970 • •
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