Without "Talkies" There Would Be No Mae West
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 2m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Why were "talkies" (films with sound) necessary for Mae West to have become a star?
The silent film era ended with the birth of the "talkie" not long before Mae West become a Hollywood star. While audiences were enthralled by West's powerful and confident sexuality, the main way she expressed it was with language. ("Any chorus girl in any Warner Bros. movie in the 1930's showed more flesh.")
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...
Without "Talkies" There Would Be No Mae West
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 2m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
The silent film era ended with the birth of the "talkie" not long before Mae West become a Hollywood star. While audiences were enthralled by West's powerful and confident sexuality, the main way she expressed it was with language. ("Any chorus girl in any Warner Bros. movie in the 1930's showed more flesh.")
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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)
Mae West Made this "Insane" Film in her 80's
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The film "Sextette," which Mae West made at age 87, was actually a "radical power move." (4m 19s)
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)
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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...