Peel Me a Grape

by Mae West, Joseph Weintraub (Editor)

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 1975

About the author

Mae West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, and sex symbol.

Famous for her bawdy double entendres, West made a name for herself in vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Hollywood to become a comedian, actress and writer in the motion picture industry.

One of the most controversial stars of her day, West encountered many problems including censorship.

When her cinematic career ended, she continued to perform on stage, in Las Vegas, in the United Kingdom, on radio and television, and recorded rock and roll albums.

Reviews

[Tim Pendry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of sayings by Mae West and of photographs with a slim biography based on a personal interview. Basically a mass market pot-boiler strictly for fans. West's appeal is historically interesting but little of what she says seems particularly amusing today. The past is another country.

The copyright is apparently for a 1967 book by Joseph Weintraub on the 'wit and wisdom of Mae West' but this version was created for the British market in 1975 and seems to have had material on her role in 'Myra Breckinridge' (1970) inserted as if this poorly received film was immediately contemporary.

[Paul Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Futura Publications Limited] (1975). SB. 96 Pages. Purchased from Richard Dalby’s Library.

Joseph Weintraub’s brief Introduction neatly captures MW’s magical appeal.

Various aphorisms, inclusive cinematic quotes, are presented from the redoubtable and incomparable lady.

The annex, “76 - And Still Diamond Lil”, blends interview excerpts and biographical narrative to great effect in a sensitive and aptly adulatory sketch.