Mae West

by George Eells

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068800816X
• ISBN13: 9780688008161
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co
• Length: 351 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An EXCELLENT Book on Mae West, the woman AND her career

If I had NOT read the other 2 popular books on Mae West ("When I'm Bad I'm Better" -and- "It Ain't No Sin"), I would have given this book a 5 star rating. I give it 4 stars only because as I read thru this book, I drew on my recollections of the more thorough (but far less entertaining) ruminations about the censorial tribulations and machinations described in the other two books, which gave more substance to the narratives contained in this (Eells, Musgrove) book. However, THIS book is MUCH more thorough on Ms West as the Performer AND the Woman -- with far less emphasis on her trials and tribulations with those pesky Censors, which ruined 3 movies that could have also been blockbusters for Ms West. It also had Photos Galore!! Wonderful photos!! This particular book covers an era that the other 2 books MISS, or at the very most, glossed over lightly - the late 40's, through the 70's where Ms. West DID go out and Wow them in her usual inimitable spectacular fashion - those other two books had led me to believe that Ms. West did nothing after the censors had appeared to ruin her career, when instead, she carried on and went ahead with the same verve, style and audacity that she was famous for doing. These additional, well-written and detailed narratives REALLY rounded out my information on Mae West and at the end of the book I felt like I knew the woman much more as an individual as well as a genius of an actress and writer. This book also elaborates more fully on her love life, which was just as varied and spectacular as her vaudeville productions, her plays and her movies. I would have liked to have seen more information about the books she wrote. Is there a Mae West museum with archives? There should be! Mae West retrospectives ?(done the way SHE woulda done them!!) There should be!! Viva Ms. West -- a TRUE legend in her own time AND ours!!! Thank you Mssrs Eells and Musgrove, for writing this book!

A Valiant Attempt Explaining A Legend

George Eells specialized in writing about female entertainers and intended to set the record straight on Mae West. Contrary to what was assumed at the time, Stanley Musgrove did not have a hand in writing this biography, but insisted on co-writing credit in exchange for his insights while acting in the capacity as Miss West's publicity agent from her Hollywood film comeback in Myra Breckinridge up until the time of her death. Eells took the point of view that West's real and public persona were nearly identical. Much of this conclusion may have come from the information he received from Musgrove, which was tainted in part from some disappointments from his business interactions with West. Reviews of the Eells book were generally positive though some reviews expressed repulsion at West's purported total self-absorption, based on negative comments expressed in the biography. The pair had been collaberating on the book for two years prior to West's death with the tacit understanding from Paul Novak, her long time companion that the book would not be published in her lifetime. West became suspicious when pointed questions were directed towards her during weekly supper outings to Musgrove's home. West expressed her misgivings to Novak that her conversations over supper were being taped. It was later reported in the Hollywood Reporter that "Paul Novak is to receive a half share interest in the performing rights in return for clearing claims to his inclusion in all media." Several glaring omissions are made in this biography, including any mention of West's pop music career in the mid 1960's. As well, Tim Malachosky, a Mae West devotee who was her last personal secretary, and who tended to her during her incapacitating stroke which lead to her death, is mentioned in passing as a "memorabilia collector." Widely acknowledged to be the first major biography of Mae West apart from her own account of her life and times, George Eells' book is the perfect starting point for any serious Westian scholar.