While just checking out Facebook, I came across a clip posted by the amazing Harvey Fierstein, of the outlandish Mae West, singing opera. Well, I just knew this was something that I had to share, and here is it. From the 1935 film Goin' To Town, here is Mae singing classic French opera.
Now, if you ask me, Mae was about as close to a female drag queen as there has been, till maybe Dolly Parton came along. Mae was larger than life, both in physical appearance, and in her personality. She could say things few others could get away with saying, and found a party far more interesting than any church social could be. When it came to an outfit, Mae never met a sparkle she didn't like. Men liked to be entertained by her, but ultimately, they tended to head back to the mousy-haired girl he was running from in the first place...
Here is a clip with Cary Grant, from the 1933 film She Done Him Wrong. It is classic Mae, from the subject to the delivery. There was very little about Mae that was subtle, something that remained true about her until the end of her career.
She also wrote a lot of the screenplays she acted in, including her infamous coupling with WC Fields, My Little Chickadee. And she did remain true to her act as you say until she died. If you've never seen her 1978 film Sextette, which she also wrote, she does the same routine on a young Timothy Dalton! There are a lot of famous rock stars in that one, so you might like it if you haven't seen it Howard!
ReplyDeleteShe is one of my very favorites, indeed!
Howard, now hold on to your hat, but I actually have 9 songs on a cd from Mae West! My dad's uncle had these recordings and where he got them we don't know. She sure couldn't sing but I think that's her charm. I LOVE HER! I swear sometimes I think she channels me. And at one time she was the richest woman in US. And a very smart bussiness woman as well.
ReplyDeleteLove the Mae West clips, Howard-- and your copy. I have to disagree with you about her "lack" of subtlety, though. To get around the Code, West many times had to exude sex with seemingly innocuous things such as a sly smile, double entendre, or playing with a guy's curls. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteStan, she was quite the multi-talented force, wasn't she?
ReplyDeleteMaddie, why am I not surprised you love her? :-)
Will, The thing about Ms. West is that, despite the restrictions of the Code, one never had any real questions about her intent. She was a strong enough actress who put it out there, with no cloying shyness.