Synopses & Reviews
Sex goddess, Hollywood star, transgressive playwright, author, blues singer, and vaudeville brat---Mae West remains the twentieth century's greatest comedienne. She made an everlasting mark in trailblazing Broadway plays such as
Sex and
The Constant Sinner and in films such as
She Done Him Wrong, Klondike Annie, and
I'm No Angel. Simon Louvish, biographer of W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, and Keystone's Mack Sennett, brings Mae to vibrant life in this unparalleled new biography. He charts her amazing seven decades in show business, from early years in teenage summer stock to her last reincarnation as 1960s gay icon and grande dame of Hollywood survivors.
Mae West: It Ain't No Sin is the first biography to make use of Mae's recently uncovered personal papers, offering an unprecedented view into the endless creative drive and daring wit of this legendary star.
Review
"Louvish, who has also written biographies of Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers, presents a well-researched account of West's life, complete with a helpful chronology and a list of her stage plays." Library Journal
Review
"Simon Louvish...re-creates [West's] rich vaudeville years singing and shimmying, followed by her hot-button plays....Just as fascinating are details of West's battles with Hollywood censors. (Grade: B+)" Entertainment Weekly
Synopsis
A revealing account of Mae West's life and iconic seven-decade entertainment career examines her early vaudeville stint, her controversial Broadway shows, and her phenomenal film career, as well as her larger-than-life Vegas and nightclub acts, and talks about her life with her companion-unto-death, Paul Novak. 20,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Sex goddess, Hollywood star, transgressive playwright, author, blues singer, and vaudeville brat Mae West remains the twentieth century's greatest comedienne. She made an everlasting mark in trailblazing Broadway plays such as
Sex and
The Constant Sinner and in films such as
She Done Him Wrong,
Klondike Annie, and
I'm No Angel.
Simon Louvish, biographer of W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, and Keystone's Mack Sennett, brings Mae to vibrant life in this unparalleled new biography. He charts her amazing seven decades in show business, from early years in teenage summer stock to her last reincarnation as 1960s gay icon and grande dame of Hollywood survivors.
Mae West: It Ain't No Sin is the first biography to make use of Mae's recently uncovered personal papers, offering an unprecedented view into the endless creative drive and daring wit of this legendary star.
Synopsis
"Louvish's research cements West's reputation as the definitive siren of suggestion, without whom there would never have been any Sex and the City." ---Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Sex goddess, Hollywood star, transgressive playwright, author, blues singer, and vaudeville brat---Mae West remains the twentieth centurys greatest comedienne. She made an everlasting mark in trailblazing Broadway plays such as
Sex and
The Constant Sinner and in films such as
She Done Him Wrong, Klondike Annie, and
Im No Angel. Simon Louvish, biographer of W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, and Keystones Mack Sennett, brings Mae to vibrant life in this unparalleled new biography. He charts her amazing seven decades in show business, from early years in teenage summer stock to her last reincarnation as 1960s gay icon and grande dame of Hollywood survivors.
Mae West: It Aint No Sin is the first biography to make use of Maes recently uncovered personal papers, offering an unprecedented view into the endless creative drive and daring wit of this legendary star.
About the Author
Simon Louvish has written eleven works of fiction and four previous movie biographies of Hollywood's star comedians: W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, and Mack Sennett. He lives in London, is married, and holds forth occasionally at the London Film School.