Mae West: A Bio-Bibliography (Popular Culture Bio-Bibliographies) [Hardcover]

Carol M. Ward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0313247161 | ISBN-13: 978-0313247163

This provocative work analyzes Mae West's long life and productive career in three major phases: the early theater years, her meteoric film career in the thirties, and her subsequent life as a popular culture legend. It examines her theatrical approach to life and her unique talent for translating a low comic variety style into a subtle satire of melodramatic conventions. West's attempts to control her comic creation led her into many public battles over her claims to authorship of her plays and filmscripts. The book's bibliography explores her talents as a writer, summarizing the plays and books she wrote and investigating the validity of those claims. A thorough study of West's background and attitudes, this volume combines the approaches of both biographical and critical/artistic analysis and broadens our understanding of how Mae West fits into American popular culture. The book examines West's philosophy of success and how it was reflected in her personal and professional life, and places her in a historical and cultural perspective without forcing her personality into predetermined categories. This bio-bibliography provides a fresh view of the legendary Mae West, and a new insight into the complexity of her artistry and social vision. It will be a valuable addition to all public libraries, and a useful resource in the study of American popular culture and film history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Ward's biobibliography is a thorough and interesting investigation of the life and legend (if they are different) of Mae West. Chapters include a biography, a definition and examination of the art of Mae West, and a bibliographical checklist of key Mae West sources. An `Interviews' chapter pulls together the most revealing interviews, spanning many years and quoting liberally--including the full texts of some interviews by Ruth Biery and George Christy. The `Bibliographical Essay' evaluates and surveys works by and about West, including Fergus Cashin's questionable Mae West (1981) (with insinuations about `indeterminate sex" and female impersonation) and George Eells and Stanley Musgrove's readable Mae West (1982), which debunks some myths and appreciates the subject but lacks cited sources. West wrote an autobiography, Goodness Had Nothing To Do with It (1959). Ward's work concludes with appendixes (chronological biography, theater performances, film performances, discography), notes, and an index. Sprinkled throughout are examples of West's wit--`I used to be Snow White but I drifted.' Recommended for film collections in all types of libraries.”–Choice

“Mae West is a valuable piece of work about a much appreciated performer. The 230 page book follows the standard format of this continuing series. Thus there is a 50 page biography, a re-evaluation of the art of Mae West, re-printed interviews, a bibliographical essay, a list of source information, and a four-part appendix listing her theatre performances, films and discs. Complete notes and an index follow. The book is illustrated with a smattering black and white stills and a drawing. . . .”–CAST/Communication Booknotes

“A racier reference book is unlikely to come along soon. Its subject--identified with the `Come up and see me sometimes' invitation--deserves no less. Those unfamiliar with Mae West can learn of ther early play, titled simply Sex (1926), which Billboard said `does not even contain anything for dirt seekers' but which the New York police raided, plopping Mae into jail. Mae wrote (or co-wrote) a number of plays dealing with social problems like prostitution and drug addiction--and this reference guide gives fascinating detail on Mae-the-author. Her films are covered in detail of course. And the bibliography itself is a romp, culled from sources like Motion Pictures and Confidential. There are amusing magazine items from the 1950s exploiting Mae's irritation with Marily Monroe, a mere sexpot-upstart. The pubisher also supplies reference works on `popular culture' icons like Bill the Kid and Elvis Presley. Being disrupters of the public order in their respective ways, they make fitting company for Mae West.”–Nashville Tennessean

About the Author

CAROL M. WARD is Assistant Professor of English at Clemson University, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (March 27, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313247161
• ISBN-13: 978-0313247163
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,169,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Career Study of an American Icon, April 2, 2005

By 

Tee (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mae West: A Bio-Bibliography (Popular Culture Bio-Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

This book is quite expensive but after all it was written mainly for academic libraries, not really for purchases by the general public. If you want a standard "biography" with a ton of photos and a dust jacket, this is not for you. If you are interested in a serious examination of this one-of-a-kind star, you could not do better. Several other authors have tried to do this with more mainstream books on West, but Ward is unmatched in looking at West from the eyes of a historian and a critic. She is also clearly admires West's accomplishments but is never fawning. An outstanding work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Details, details, September 4, 2001

By 

damon devine (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mae West: A Bio-Bibliography (Popular Culture Bio-Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

This is a bio-bibliography. So everything you read, you can verify by finding the original somewhere. Wonderfully researched, and of course perfectly accurate (how could it NOT be?). You are paying for all of the great research, and it is worth every penny. It is invaluable to anyone who is writing a book on Mae West, or researching her career.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mae West Biography, February 15, 2011

By 

Catherine Bergerat "Catherine B." (New York) - See all my reviews
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