Mae & Me: My Time With Mae West

In 1976 I had afternoon tea with Mae West at the Ravenswood where she lived. (Originally recorded for Library Girl on April 14, 2021.)

[@EagleRockers]

I saw Mae in person twice and both times she literally took my breath away. You knew you were in the presence of greatness and she had an aura that was resplentent. P.S. Hi Michael! So good to know you're still around! Bless you!

[@richardmcleod1930]

The telephone number being posted in the telephone book is true, as I looked it up (in the late 70's) and called the number once when Mae West was ill, and the phone was answered. I asked how Mae West was doing as she had been ill and they thanked me for calling and asking about Miss West informing me they would let her know of my concern.

[@sterlingmorris6995]

I had exactly the same experience.

[@frankmarter6845]

I knew her for 15 years. She was a unique person. No one like her. Mae West was around since the beginning of time but not until 1893 did it get a name.

[@MicheleMarzano]

This is the greatest interview I’ve ever seen about Mae West! Bless your heart I’m sure she loves it from heaven 😇❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😇⭐️

[@cxg37]

I love this story! As a gay man, it so poignantly captures what about Mae that spoke to me when I first learned about her. I have an autograph of Mae’s, it says “Come up and see me sometime,” signed in 1934 in the Ambassador Hotel!

[@oscarp4328]

My God I’ve never heard that you could have tea with Mea West. You’re so lucky and most importantly so handsome ! 😍

[@Daisnap]

This is delightful! You lucky duck, you saw Judy at the Palace and Mae in hers. Wow. An engaging, suspenseful ride - waiting for her to appear at The Ravenswood! A worthy tribute to magnificent Mae. More Michael’s Hollywood Stories! Love your Mentor videos, too. Just forwarded your episode one to a writer friend.

[@michaelkearnsLA]

I am a lucky duck in spite of some hardships. They are outweighed by people on the planet who are like you dear Harrry Strawberry.

[@Daisnap]

@@michaelkearnsLA What a sweet thing to say. Thank you. Thank GOD for buoyant sparkling spirits like yours who see whimsy in woes and silver linings in swamps. I'm very glad you're here, Michael Mulberry.

[@RPW1958]

Thank you for sharing your story...it made my day! I have been a fan of Mae West since early childhood and still a fan today. Her work picked me "up" when I needed it most. I am so glad you got to meet her. I know it was amazing and loved the entrance part as well. Thank you, Robert

[@skyavalanche]

Beautifully written Tribute. Love that you mention Laura Nyro as well. Thanks for Fabulous YOU, and sharing so lovingly

[@1loveharpo]

Mae West was a thousand years before her time. I’ll be honest, I’m more of a Dietrich girl, and I’m glad she was on the cover of your book. 😁 However, I certainly am not without an understanding of why you would select Mae West as a muse, she was and is a character set far apart from all others. She was as individual as an individual can be, and yet - so easy to love and admire.

[@eliothorowitz5627]

Jealousy is a wasted emotion, but hearing your account is like a QUEER man's dream come true. Mae knew that her fans were a huge part of her success, and her onscreen persona apart, she was smart and classy. A personal aside Michael......WOOF

[@michaelkearnsLA]

What a sweet response--about Mae and the personal aside. Thanks so much.

[@eliothorowitz5627]

@@michaelkearnsLA I'm not sweet, but I have sweet moments! I'm a shameless flirt, but I don't do it lightly!💋

[@sumar207]

I’m so glad you recorded your experiences for all of us to enjoy!

[@susiearviso3032]

WHAT?

[@riverratrvr9225]

So happy to have watched this! Thank you!

[@keithmccaslyn2527]

GOsh,whad a beautiful,loving Ode and honoring to the one and ONLY, Mae West !! Loved those opening lines as well. Ha. thank you. respect. Keith Mc.

[@Tchelitchew.]

This is a lovely and sweet reminiscence. Thank you!

[@nightstalkerck]

Lol! I couldn't help but laugh, because in 1976 I as a 13-year gay boy from Atlanta, Georgia I actually called Miss West and did speak to a very nice gentleman at the front desk, he said she was busy filming a new film, It just made my day and here it is almost 50 years later and I'm still talking about it and I still get angry when I hear that rumor of her being a man.

[@MissPerriwinkle]

so disappointed that i didnt call her when i lived near melrose in LA, near Ravenswood. would have given so much to meet her up close, tho i did see her kinda close when she premiered Sextette.....looked ancient but had that fab energy.

[@tommymonroe8706]

I loved Mae West and wanted to bring her flowers but at my age then at age 14 I thought she would seduce me! We later then moved from Hollywood to the valley. I missed my chance much to my regret! I’ve met many who did make it up there and in Mae’s passing she remembered her friends in her will. One got a tea set and other little things. Everyone had only wonderful things to say about Miss West. She was a major influence on my life as well.

[@thirabx6954]

Mae was a first

[@haroldstella1398]

MAE WEST WILL ALWAYS BE THE VERY FIRST!! BEFORE MARILYN AND MADONNA,, THERE WAS MAE!! TOO BAD SHE DIDN’T DO MORE MOVIES!!!! ❤️⭐️⭐️❤️

[@akrenwinkle]

The story about Mae and Barbra Streisand meeting at a party has been around for many years, and has a few versions. My favorite has Barbra gushing over Mae, admitting that she copied her character, sometimes even intentionally, and Mae drawled something akin to, "Try gettin' your own style, dearie," or some such.

[@michaelkearnsLA]

Who knows? Is it in Barbra's book? No doubt Mae tempered her remarks in public but the sentiment remains the same. She didn't say hello to Dolly with any degree of Mommy acceptance.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@michaelkearnsLA I heard that story long, long before Babs' book. Now that I think of it, I believe that it wasn't at a party, but both ladies happened to be at the same restaurant at the same time, and Barbra walked over to Mae's table. I accept a lot of things as entertainments, folklore, not truth. For example Mae spotting Cary Grant walking down the street and Mae making him a star.

[@sterlingmorris6995]

I heard it went - You'll never amount to anything if you don't quit imitatin' me and Fanny Brice and get a style of your own.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@sterlingmorris6995 I don't know if Mae would care that Barbra imitated Fanny. Mae was all about herself, wasn't she?

[@katehepburn9544]

Thanks for the story. It was good.

[@thirabx6954]

Excellent MAE West a

[@davidhennen7045]

You are so cute and fun, I have to buy your book!

[@andrewschreiber112]

What a fabulous story! I think she influenced all of what's now considered gay or "camp" humor. She was an incredible trailblazer, and a BRILLIANT woman.

[@ryanscottlogan8459]

Awesome darling!😘

[@ArcadiaOccult]

Mary Jane West (born August 17, 1893, Brooklyn, New York, -died November 22, 1980, Los Angeles, California. The goddess of sex the queen of sin and a devout Irish Catholic. ❤️

[@TransVangal]

Lmfao