Mae West Made this "Insane" Film in her 80's
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 4m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
The film "Sextette," which Mae West made at age 87, was actually a "radical power move."
The film "Sextette," which Mae West made when she was in her 80's, was actually a "radical power move," according to comedian Natasha Lyonne. It demonstrated West's supreme confidence as a woman trying to defy the taboo against sexual older women. At the same time, it showed that the persona Mae West created in the 30's was so original that it could endure into the 1970's and beyond.
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
Mae West Made this "Insane" Film in her 80's
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 4m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
The film "Sextette," which Mae West made when she was in her 80's, was actually a "radical power move," according to comedian Natasha Lyonne. It demonstrated West's supreme confidence as a woman trying to defy the taboo against sexual older women. At the same time, it showed that the persona Mae West created in the 30's was so original that it could endure into the 1970's and beyond.
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The Mae West Film that Helped Save Paramount Pictures
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The Mae West film "She Done Him Wrong" was credited with helping to save Paramount. (2m 37s)
How Madonna May Have Been Influenced by Mae West
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How have Madonna and other women entertainers followed in Mae West's footsteps? (4m 14s)
Why Didn't Mae West Keep Up with the Latest Fashions?
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Mae West's persona was inspired by the fashion trends of the 1890's. (3m 13s)
Without "Talkies" There Would Be No Mae West
Video has Closed Captions
Why were "talkies" (films with sound) necessary for Mae West to have become a star? (2m 32s)
Video has Closed Captions
Dive into the life of groundbreaking writer, performer and subversive star Mae West. (1m 56s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...