If you're one of those people who is going to watch this to obtain information about Mae West and be entertained, then this film will suffice. Child actor? Married? In jail? Anyone who knows little about Mae West will find these key tidbits about her interesting.
But for those that know this and more about Mae, you'll be disappointed to see so many things left out. Sure the budget of the film only allowed so many actors, and so many sets, but Mae West had a brother and sister, a second serious love that she married named Guido Deiro. Jim Timony was certainly a main man of hers, and their rumored romantic relationship only actually lasted a short time. Frank Wallace came back to haunt her and Timony for several years looking for money after Mae struck gold in the business. Dragging her to court every few years may have been the reason of her failed film career as it interrupted her life for several years. But this film focuses mostly on the short-term romance between Jim and Mae.
This film shouldn't be counted out for accuracy. In fact, so many small things were obviously researched incredibly well. Examples: Mae's green and pink dress that she wore as a child actor. Mae's obtainment of her own personal silk underwear and sidebar friendship while incarcerated. Mae's determination to help give direction pointers in Night After Night, and George Raft's quote about her performance "she stole everything but the cameras". And eerily, Ann Jillian's ability to belt out a number with Mae's signature salty timbered voice.
As this review is written in 2020, it is hard to believe that it hasn't been since 1982 (four years after Mae West's death) that a biopic hasn't been recreated. Until a new film is made, if you can tolerate some dated technology and old-style methods of filmmaking of this originally made-for-TV film, then it's not bad to get your Mae information and learn a more about her.
