Monday, October 24, 2016

Mae West: Hollywood Influence

In September 1934, MAE WEST sat down for a series of "Me and My Past" talks with the United Press syndicated reporter Leicester Wagner.  We will post excerpts from Chapter #1 in several installments.  This is excerpt aaa.
• • "Me and My Past" by Mae West • •
• • As Told to Leicester Wagner United Press Staff Correspondent • •
• • This is the first article of a series entitled "Me and My Past," as told by Mae West to Leicester Wagner, United Press staff correspondent in Hollywood.
• • Editor's Preface:  What has Hollywood done to Mae West in two years? What have I done to Hollywood in two years? How about morals today? These are a few of the questions which I understand never have been answered.
• • My life's an open book especially the pictures and there's no reason why I shouldn't tell al or almost all. I'm going to "lay it right on the line," as they say around places where a bet is considered an investment.
• • Described by some as the "hottest" actress in screendom, it's only natural that people should wonder what influence Hollywood has had on me. To be frank about it,the answer is absolutely nothing. In a personal way, I do what I want, go where I want and say what I want, and let the gossips do the rest.
• • Good Old Hollywood • •
• • Hollywood has been good to me. Very good. I haven't complaint to make, and wouldn't make one should I feel justified. I don't play that way. And, as ring gentlemen say, I also can take it. But Hollywood evidently can't take it. Which swings around to what I've done to Hollywood. That answer is — — plenty.
• • In the first place, I came out here two years ago for what to me — — in the light of having written, directed, acted in and even produced my own Broadway stage shows — — was a minor role.
• • Landed as a Star • •  . . .
• • This has been excerpt aaa. Tomorrow's post will be bbb — —  the continuation of Chapter #1.
• • NOTE: This is the 1st chapter of Mae West's life story as told to Leicester Wagner, United Press.  This syndicated series was reprinted in American newspapers during September 1934.
• • On Friday, 24 October 1919 • •
• • In the write-up of Ned Wayburn's "Demi-Tasse Revue" at the Capitol Theatre (a movie house on Broadway with a wide stage for vaudeville acts), Variety mentioned Mae West on 31 October 1919, noting that she "also scored as a single with a burlesque 'shimmy' number."
• • On Friday, 24 October 1919 Mae West also sang "Oh, What a Moanin' Man."
• • On Tuesday, 24 October 1933 • •
• • Variety couldn't stop printing articles about "I'm No Angel" starring Mae West.  "Mae West Opera Wows Newark — Cops House Record, $28,000, and Held Over" ran in Variety's issue dated for Tuesday, 24 October 1933. 
• • The onscreen title for Mae West's motion picture (released in 1933) — — is a familiar sight to her fans. How many times have you seen it?
• • On Wednesday, 24 October 1934 • •
• • A review of "Belle of the Nineties" penned by Otis Ferguson [1907 — 1943] was published on Wednesday, 24 October 1934.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Actress Mae West, 72, was reported "doing satisfactorily" in Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, where she was admitted on September 17, following a nervous collapse.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "What burns me up is them dumb dames on the West Coast wearin' pants. They don't have any shame. You'll never catch me in pants! I take that fashion as a personal insult!"
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Film Daily mentioned Mae West.
• • Ralph Wilk wrote:  Mae West's next story for Paramount will be Frank Mitchell Dazey's, "Lulu Was a Lady," which has as its background the Klondike during the gold rush days.
• • Source: News item in Film Daily; published on Tuesday, 7 May 1935
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 12th anniversary • •
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past twelve years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started twelve years ago in July 2004.
You are reading the 3558th 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 • in 1933

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