Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Mae West: Gimme the Poke

During early February 1934, MAE WEST heard the verdict: "guilty." Career crook Edward Friedman was soon in handcuffs, thanks to her testimony.
• • In February, The N.Y. Times ran this headline: "Mae West Robber Guilty; Edward Friedman Is Convicted in Los Angeles of $20,400 Hold-Up."
• • In 1934, Buron Fitts was the District Attorney in Los Angeles; he presided over the trial in January 1934. Here is an excerpt from legal papers filed during the court case.
• • The first indictment charged appellant Edward Friedman and two co-defendants, Harry O. Voiler and Cohen, with robbing one Mae West on September 28, 1932, taking from her money and jewelry [2 Cal. App. 2d 727] valued at $15,400.
• • The evidence indicates that about 7 o'clock on the evening of the Mae West robbery the complaining witness was seated next to defendant Voiler in the front seat of a parked sedan. A man came up to the car, opened the right-hand door and said, "this is stick-up." He pointed something resembling a gun at the occupants and took a purse and jewelry, speaking several sentences to them during the operation. He wore no mask and had a lighted cigarette in his mouth. The complaining witness observed his eyes, part of his nose and the center of his face. She also observed his height and size, and that his hand was heavy and rather stout. Pursuant to a telephone call a few days later the purse was recovered but not the money or valuables.  ...
• • On Monday, 6 February 1928 • •
• • Mae West mailed her manuscript for "Diamond Lil" to the Library of Congress from the Harding Hotel, West 54th Street, New York, NY. The date of her Washington, DC copyright registration is Monday, 6 February 1928. The play opened on Broadway in April 1928.
• • On Friday, 6 February 2004 • •
• • An article about the full-length play "Courting Mae West" was written by Max Gross and was published in New York City in The Forward on 6 February 2004.
• • On Friday, 6 February 2009 • •
• • On Friday, 6 February 2009, a sparkling new print of "I'm No Angel" opened the 1930s series "Breadlines and Champagne," which was scheduled to run from Friday February 6th through March 5, 2009 at the Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014. Vince Giordano and his Nighthawks played a medley of 1930s tunes live on stage and ushers handed out chunks of bread. How delightful to be part of this experience. Every seat was taken in this wonderful NYC movie house in Mae's hometown.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "The man with the gun said to me, 'Give me the poke.'"
• • Mae West said: "My purse was on the seat beside me and the bandit reached over for it. I figured he wanted it, so I picked it up and gave it to him."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An article in Australia on February 6th mentioned Mae West.
• • "Mae West for Tivoli" • • 
• • The Courier-Mail editors wrote this: For years Mae West, a Broadway star, appearing in stage productions, has been the favourite of millions of comedy lovers. Now she has taken to the screen, and as a result of one picture is an internationally popular star; her styles are copied, her wit is repeated, and her curves are emulated by women the world over. Before she took to the screen feminine style had been moulded on slim and willowy figures. One look at Mae West, and the world of women decided to be billowy and well shaped. Curves have come back with a rush.
• • The Courier-Mail editors added this: "There's something substantial in a person of good proportions," says Mae West, and she flouted film convention by declining to get off poundage to make her first starring picture. "She Done Him Wrong." Her fashion has set a new vogue in films. Mae West will be seen at the Tivoli next Friday in "She Done Him Wrong," and is certain of a hearty reception.
• • Source: The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Queensland) on page 3; published on Tuesday, 6 February 1934
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started eight years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2569th 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 1934
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