MAE-West

Mae West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, playwright, and sex symbol.

Middle years

West appeared in her last movie during the studio age with The Heat's On (1943) for Columbia. She remained active during the ensuing years, however. Among her stage performances was the title role in Catherine Was Great (1944) on Broadway, in which she dramatized the story of Catherine the Great of Russia, surrounding herself with an "imperial guard" of muscular young actors, all over 6 feet tall. The play was produced by the late Mike Todd and went on a long national tour in 1945.

Related Topics:
1943 - Columbia - 1944 - Catherine the Great - Russia - Mike Todd - 1945

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She also starred in her own Las Vegas, Nevada stage show surrounded by bodybuilders and singing to delighted crowds, which included a large number of gay men. Many celebrities attended West's show, including Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Louis Armstrong, Liberace, and Jayne Mansfield (who met and married one of West's muscle men, Mickey Hargitay, getting him fired).

Related Topics:
Las Vegas, Nevada - Gay - Judy Garland - Ethel Merman - Louis Armstrong - Liberace - Jayne Mansfield - Mickey Hargitay

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On radio, West appeared on ventriloquist Edgar Bergen's show and did a sexy sketch with Bergen's dummy, Charlie McCarthy, based on Adam and Eve, that shocked the listening audience. She was banned from the airwaves for several years.

Related Topics:
Radio - Ventriloquist - Edgar Bergen - Charlie McCarthy - Adam and Eve

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When Billy Wilder offered her the role of "Norma Desmond" in Sunset Boulevard, she refused and pronounced herself offended at being asked to play a "has-been", similar to the responses he received from Mary Pickford and Pola Negri, so ultimately the more amenable and realistic Gloria Swanson got the role and became immortal on celluloid.

Related Topics:
Billy Wilder - Sunset Boulevard - Mary Pickford - Pola Negri - Gloria Swanson

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Her autobiography, titled Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It, was published by Prentice-Hall in 1959.

Related Topics:
Autobiography - 1959

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In order to keep her appeal fresh with younger generations, she recorded a Rock and Roll album titled "Great Balls of Fire," which covered songs by Elvis Presley, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, among others. She also recorded a number of parody songs, including "Santa, Come Up and See Me Sometime."

Related Topics:
Rock and Roll - Elvis Presley - The Beatles - The Rolling Stones

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