
Why Didn't Mae West Keep Up with the Latest Fashions?
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 3m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
Mae West's persona was inspired by the fashion trends of the 1890's.
Mae West didn’t keep up with the latest fashions. Her persona, with the exaggerated hourglass figure and luxurious clothing, was inspired from trends in the 1890’s. It’s perhaps because of this outdated style that she was allowed to get away with saying so many sexually suggestive things.
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...

Why Didn't Mae West Keep Up with the Latest Fashions?
Clip: 6/16/2020 | 3m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
Mae West didn’t keep up with the latest fashions. Her persona, with the exaggerated hourglass figure and luxurious clothing, was inspired from trends in the 1890’s. It’s perhaps because of this outdated style that she was allowed to get away with saying so many sexually suggestive things.
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A front row seat to the creative process
How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."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)
Without "Talkies" There Would Be No Mae West
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Why were "talkies" (films with sound) necessary for Mae West to have become a star? (2m 32s)
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Dive into the life of groundbreaking writer, performer and subversive star Mae West. (1m 56s)
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...