Here’s a little “gem” that’s camp — so say the least. In 1978, 30s, 40s sex symbol Mae West released her last film, “Sextette.” She was — depending on which account you believe — in her 80s or 90s (she reportedly had a hearing aid in her ear). She was shot through cameras that blurred her face a bit so she looked younger. West did all her old moves, her voice inflections –even sang. In the film, men were enchanted by her.
So here..from one of the weirdest song-filled films in filmdom is future James Bond singing with an elderly Mae West playing a woman much, MUCH younger than her real age. Ringo Starr was also in this film. West died two years later.
PS: I have a copy of the DVD of this truly stunning (in several ways) film at home. If you’re interested I advise you to get your copy soon…since it ain’t gonna be reissued. Ever.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.