Monday, February 09, 2015

Mae West: High Laced Shoes

MAE WEST was mentioned in an off-the-cuff column written by the students of Santa Monica Junior College.
• • Corsair wrote: Celluloid collars and high laced shoes were the two most difficult orders to fill when wardrobe was being prepared for Paramount's "She Done Him Wrong" starring Mae West.
• • Source: Item in Corsair (Santa Monica, California);  published on Wednesday, 8 February 1933.
• • On Wednesday, 9 February 1927 in Variety • •
• • On 9 February 1927, Variety mentioned that Beverly West had been arrested on a disorderly conduct charge in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• • The drunken brawl at the Arcade Hotel in Edward Elsner's suite is dramatized in the stage play "Courting Mae West" in Act I, Scene 2. An audience favorite, the serious-minded comedy based on true events was featured last month in Australia's Midsumma Festival on 28 January 2012.
• • On Wednesday, 9 February 1927 in Manhattan • •
• • Headlines and headaches were in store for Mae West in 1927. On 9 February 1927, the first police raid of Mae West's play "Sex" led to an expensive trial, box office losses, and jail time for the actress and others.
• • Since her vaudeville performances were often panned by Variety — — who would say things like "a bit too crude for this $2 audience" — — Mae had become accustomed to negative press coverage. But the idea of spending the night in jail was a new low point.
• • After the New York City police raided three plays, "The Virgin Man," "The Captive," and Mae West’s "Sex," numerous actors were in hot water. Equity protested the arrests of the actors, stating, “The actor is not responsible for the content of the play…” Later in the year, Governor Al Smith would sign the Wales Theatrical Padlock Bill, giving local authorities the power to close shows they deem obscene.
• • On Thursday, 9 February 1933 • •
• • According to a source that tracks box office figures for motion pictures, "She Done Him Wrong," a 66-minute hit starring Mae West, had brought in $2,000,000 worldwide by 9 February 1933. Compare those figures, during the height of the Depression, to more modern times on 1 January 1970 when "Myra Breckinridge," starring Mae West in the role of Leticia Van Allen, racked up $3,000,000 worldwide.
• • On Friday, 9 February 1934 • •
• • The Courier-Mail editors wrote this: The new star, Mae West, will be seen at the Tivoli [Brisbane, Australia] tomorrow on 9 February 1934 in "She Done Him Wrong." Curves, comedy, and song — — all Mae West's repertoire has been added to this gay story of a diamond-loving lady of the gay 1890s.
• • On Friday, 9 February 1940 • •
• • The American premiere of "My Little Chickadee" was on Friday, 9 February 1940. The Western-style comedy went into general release on 15 March 1940 in the USA.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Here is Mae West, who writes her own stuff, dictating some of her new ideas to Nesta Charles, script girl, between scenes while her latest movie is being shot.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I've always got a new trick."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Singapore newspaper  mentioned Mae West.
• • Mae West made her stage debut in the role of Little Eva in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." There is no evidence that, in the death bed scene, she invited those present to "Come up and see me" when they passed over.  . . .
• • Source:  Item in The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser; published on Saturday, 8 February 1936
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 10th anniversary • •    
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during this past decade. The other day we entertained 1,430 visitors. We reached a milestone this week: 3,100 posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3110th 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 • in 1933

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