WEST, MAE

West, Mae: translation

(1892-1980)

Remembered today as an early sound motion picture icon in a series of risqué comedies and musicals in the 1930s, West was also a playwright (occasionally using the pseudonym Jane Mast) who crafted tailor-made roles exploiting her way with a double entendre. West's hourglass figure and insouciant manner endeared her to audiences and frequently drew the ire of censors. Following a career invaudevilleand musical comedy, West caused a scandal withSex(1926), the first of a string of taboo-shattering works. She was arrested for indecency, but the ensuing publicity surrounding the play made her a nationally known commodity. Barely a year later, in 1927, West again caused a sensation withThe Drag, perhaps the first American drama to make explicit reference to homosexuality. More exploitive than serious,The Dragclosed on the road before reaching Broadway. West's next play,Diamond Lil(1928), was a popular success that she frequently revived, andThe Pleasure Man(1928) also generated controversy. The role of a saloon hostess was perfect for her. In movies after 1932, West pushed the boundaries of propriety, testing censors and challenging studio bosses as she had on stage. She periodically returned to the stage, notably on Broadway withCatherine Was Great(1944), toured frequently, and became a popularattractionin nightclubs. West's audiences joined her in laughing at sexual taboos and the inherent hypocrisy of both sexual mores and censorship.