I grew up resenting a lot of the rom-com fare on television and film. Always, it felt, the woman had to change to find love. Sandy in Grease was just the start: Learn to strut. Show that cleavage. Pull your hair out of the bun! Relax! Be feminine! Learn to bake or something.
Maybe that’s why I love Mae West so much: In her films, she’s the only one who never has to change. Anyone who doesn’t get her? They better start, if they want Mae’s company. (And they ALWAYS want Mae’s company.)
Mae’s unrepentant, very human, hilarious heroines are perfect, just as they are. Cleo from Goin’ to Town (1935) is just one example.
Cleo decides she wants a particular upper-crust guy. After her (literal) lassoing of him doesn’t win him, she decides to change herself over into a classy lady. Which pretty much means she convinces everyone she already is one.
**Some spoilers**
Oh sure, Cleo picks up some new hobbies: horse betting, husband collecting, and opera performances. But Cleo is Cleo. When she plots her rise, we all know she’s going to get there.
Favorite Moments
The fashionable ladies visit her after her fashionable marriage. Trying to insult her, they press her about her lineage:
Socialite: “Speaking of relatives, Mrs. Colton, have your ancestors ever been traced?”
Cleo: “Well, yes, but they were too smart, they couldn’t catch ’em.”
She says this, mind you, while intent on cracking nuts.
And, of course, who can forget the scene when Cleo plays Delilah? (Her description of Delilah is “one lady barber who made good.”)
While she sings in a high register (therefore, I assume, proving she has the pedigree to pull off opera), she does her va-voom hip shimmies between notes, proving that she’ll always be a dance hall girl.
And in a Mae West movie? There’s nothing better to be.
I’ve written before about how Mae can always pull me out of a bad mood. That’s why I chose to re-watch one of her films for the Classic Movie Blog Association’s fall blogathon, Laughter Is the Best Medicine. Don’t miss the other entries from my talented peers!
OMG – what a great lady, You know, no matter the era, any woman that is truly herself is always a shock to the social system. She was great – and you picked a great topic because Mae sure made – and still makes – us laugh.
Yes, you can’t go wrong with Mae, can you?:) Glad to find a fellow fan!!
Ooh, I haven’t seen this one. Mae is inspiring and funny. I always enjoy learning more about the incredible woman.
She is! A constant inspiration, and you just never stop laughing.
Loved your write-up, Leah. I can’t believe there’s a Mae West movie I’ve never heard of. You can bet I’ll be looking for it now! Good stuff!
Thank you! I know. We have to appreciate every one we have.
I ahven’t aseen this particular Mae West movie, but the bit of dialogue in the review already made me laugh. Indeed, Mae never changes in her movies, we accept her as she is – and that’s so powerful.
Exactly. One line of Mae’s is all you need.
You’ve inspired me to to have a Mae West movie marathon.
Oh yes! Please do.
Jean Harlow’s star shines, Mae West’s star seems to fade out. I don’t always like or care for Mae, perhaps her movies in small amounts! She was too old, over weight, and out dated. That’s why her career faltered. Harlow was a major sex symbol during the ’30’s, West was thought of as a “in your face drag queen.” There are a few Mae West movies I like & without her it wouldn’t work, like I’m No Angel. True Mae is a national treasure, and she is a true Icon!
Thank you for writing! I love them both. I think there are many reasons Mae’s career faded, but I’ve always thought it had less to do with her looks than it did with the finances she demanded (though I think Mae looked fabulous her whole life). I read an interesting journal article about the studio heads’ (or maybe it was the theaters’?) collective efforts to undermine her a while back–I wish I could remember the name. I’ve always been far less interested in Mae’s status as a sex symbol than in her hilarious writing and gifts as a businesswoman. We might see Jean on more glamour-gal images today, but we’re still quoting Mae–and hopefully, always will. (I adore I’m No Angel too.)