Watch Mae West: Dirty Blonde

Mae West: Dirty Blonde is a captivating and entertaining documentary that explores the life and career of Mae West, a legendary actress, playwright, and comedienne. The film is directed by Sally Rosenthal and features interviews with numerous people who knew or worked with Mae, including biographers, historians, family members, and entertainers who were influenced by her work.

The documentary is structured around a chronological retelling of Mae's life, beginning with her early years growing up in Brooklyn, New York. Viewers are taken through her early experiences in show business, including her early vaudeville days and her breakout success on Broadway in 1926 with her self-written play, Sex. Mae's unabashed sexuality and fearless attitude made her an instant sensation, but also earned her many detractors who found her frankness and sexual humor scandalous.

As the film progresses, viewers get a deeper understanding of Mae's complex personality and the many challenges she faced both in her personal and professional life. The filmmakers delve into Mae's tumultuous relationships with men, including her marriage to the much-younger Frank Wallace and her notorious affair with boxing champion Gorilla Jones. They also explore the many legal battles Mae faced throughout her career, including charges of obscenity and promoting homosexuality, which resulted in brief stints in jail.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to numerous clips of Mae's films and stage performances, showcasing her unique comedic timing, provocative humor, and inimitable screen presence. The film also features commentary from experts on Mae's cultural impact, including comparisons to other groundbreaking female performers like Madonna and Beyoncé.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Mae's life explored in the film is her relationship with the gay community, which Mae openly embraced and celebrated in her work. The documentary highlights the significance of Mae's representation and support of the LGBTQ community at a time when homosexuality was widely stigmatized and even criminalized.

Overall, Mae West: Dirty Blonde is a fascinating portrait of a trailblazing woman who defied societal conventions and paved the way for generations of female entertainers. The documentary offers an insightful look into Mae's life, career, and legacy, and serves as a testament to her enduring influence on popular culture.

Mae West: Dirty Blonde is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.