The Mae West Films

One of the grandest of the Old Hollywood grande dames, Mae West’s saucy impact on film history is undisputed. Neibaur (John Wayne B-Westerns 1932–1939) offers this chronological accounting of West’s filmography by showing how her work—as an actress and screenwriter—developed, her recurrent themes, censorship battles, and the intersections of her life and art. Presenting each film, complete with cast and crew information, summary, and analysis, the book places each in context with show business politics and West’s professional growth. The book also discusses her stage, TV, and radio work. Through anecdotes and quotes, he attempts to gain access to the artist’s inner workings, but West’s carefully crafted persona remains firmly in place. The author is clearly a fan, and this celebration will inspire curiosity and appreciation for West’s work, wit, and tenacity. Plentiful photographs, movie stills, and advertisements sprinkled throughout the book help readers immerse themselves in the glamour and nostalgia. A robust bibliography offers resources to readers looking for more depth on West and her career, which incredibly spanned from 1932’s Night After Night to 1978’s Sextette.