Belle of the Nineties

Starring:Mae West, Roger Pryor, Johnny Mack Brown, Katherine DeMille, John Miljan, Stuart Holmes, James Donlan, Harry Woods, Edward Gargan, Libby Taylor, Frederick Burton, Augusta Anderson, Benny Baker, Morrie Cohan, Warren Hymer, Tyler Brooke, Duke Ellington, Eddie Borden, James Pierce, Sam McDaniel
Director: Leo McCarey
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

Mae West is a popular burlesque singer in this hilarious musical comedy that boasts the musical talents of Duke Ellington and his orchestra. One of the comedienne's most entertaining films.

Customer Reviews:

"Don't ever let a man put anything over on you outside of an umbrella.".......2005-12-12

Belle of the Nineties is a film about a stage star known all over for her gorgeous figure (Mae West). She finds her way into many lucrative relationships, but she is no dummy. Throughout her entanglements with several men including a boxer (Roger Pryor), a cheat, and a wealthy man (Johnny Mack Brown), she never loses sight of her identity.

Mae West wrote some great witty dialogue for this film, is adorned in some beautiful costumes to show off her ample figure, and sashays nonchalantly throughout.

Roger Pryor plays his character with the correct blend of masculinity and sweetness to make him the most appealing male in the film.

The music in the film was performed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra. "When a Saint Louis Woman Goes Down to New Orleans" lacks no sex appeal with its bluesy melody. "My Old Flame," a gorgeous standard, brings new depth to West's character. "Memphis Blues" features a great repore among the orchestra. "Pray Chilluns" is a stereotypically black song that segues into West singing "Troubled Waters," a song that makes one flash to Rizzo in Grease lamenting over her bad reputation.

Although this film was made after the production code went into effect (it is even prologued with a note about it), there is still some racy content. There are costumes in which West's breasts are clearly outlined, suggestive dialogue, and men with multiple lovers.

An enjoyable romp for Miss West.......2005-11-01

This is my first exposure (aside from seeing snippets of "My Little Chickadee" on TV) to a Mae West film, and it certainly won't be my last! I became an instant Mae West fan after viewing this one. Although "Belle.." was not Mae's strongest vehicle (especially after being "watered down" by the Production Code, her constant nemesis), there's no ignoring her knack for dialogue & racy one-liners only the Great Mae could pull off. It certainly says something when a star from generations past can have the same impact decades later. Hats off to ya, Mae!
P.S.--When are we going to get treated to a DVD collection of her films? The tribute is long overdue!!

"Some of the wildest men make the best pets.".......2005-10-18

In "Belle of the Nineties", Mae West plays Ruby Carter--a singer whose romance with boxer, the Tiger Kid (Roger Pryor) ends abruptly and badly. Ruby leaves for New Orleans and begins singing in the nightclub the Sensation House owned by shady Ace Lamont (John Miljan). Lamont has his beady eyes on Ruby, but she has bigger fish to fry--a new wealthy suitor who lavishes Ruby with expensive gifts--including a stunning diamond necklace.

Lamont's in-house girlfriend, Molly Brant (Katherine DeMille) jealously watches as Ruby Carter moves into the Sensation House and Lamont begins falling all over himself trying to win Ruby's attention. When Lamont finally gets the hint that Ruby isn't interested in him, he plots his revenge.

"Belle of the Nineties" isn't typical Mae West fare--the film contains a bittersweet edge thanks to Ruby's painful experience with the Tiger Kid. Mae West's character, Ruby Carter, shows a sentimental side that is absent from the typical Mae West vehicle. In "Belle of the Nineties", she's still funny--but not quite as hard-edged, and she definitely possesses a heart. Duke Ellington and his band were handpicked by West to appear as the Sensation House band, and the film offers a rich selection of Mae West songs--"St Louis Woman", "Scandalizing My Name" and "My Old Flame"--displacedhuman

Entertaining West Vehicle. Never dull and full of body........2005-08-03

West plays a flamboyant singer Ruby Carter who after breaking up with her boxer boyfriend, takes a job singing at a fashionable club in New Orleans. She quickly becomes the object of desire for the area's male population and an object of envy and scorn by one of the females.

Mae West is splendidly dressed thoughout with over the top plumes, hat's, jewels and form fitting gowns. Despite her age and size, she's quite an eye-catcher and her charming, sex-crazed personality intrigues and delights. She also sings much loved tunes such as MY OLD FLAME and ST LOUIS WOMAN backed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra.

Mae West's one-liners and innuendos were toned-down and they were no where near as sexual as in her first starring feature SHE DONE HIM WRONG. The Production Code that came in effect at around this time was pretty strict and as a result, this film was said to have been heavily edited. Some of Mae's best lines were left out and the original title IT AIN'T NO SIN was changed to the more inoffensive BELLE OF THE NINETIES. Despite all this, BELLE OF THE NINETIES still offers some of her best dialogue and witty one-liners.

When West is asked "What type of men you prefer?". She replies "Only two. Domestic and foreign."

When John Miljan goes to greet her as she exits her boat, Mae (as usual) is surrounded by men. "Take care of these men" says Miljan. Mae adds, "Yes, give them all my address."

When one of her male admirers states "Ruby I must have you. Your golden hair, your fascinating smile, your lovely arms, your form, devine". She quickly quips "What is this a proposal or are you taking inventory?."

And even her maid get's some useful advice when West tells her "Don't let a man ever put anything over on you outside of an umbrella."

And one of her best lines "Better to be looked over than over-looked" is featured here.

The curvacious blonde is all style, all substance and originality and her lines are performed with a sexual "purr" that would have even Catwoman taking notes. BELLE OF THE NINETIES is one of Mae West's most entertaining flicks. It's blown-up, brazen and pleasurable. Just like the lady herself.

MAE GIVE'S WOMEN STRENGHT.......2005-07-22

I don't think that there is another star like Mae West. She saved the largest Hollywood movie producer,Paramont. Eventhough she was censored, she still had the best one liners out of all the stars! She was Irish, and all the Irish I ever knew were firery (compliment).

And more about this picture, She is most fashionable in her own unique way as only she could.

Belle of The Nineties [Mae West and Roger Pryor]

Average customer rating:

Belle of The Nineties [Mae West and Roger Pryor]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Klondike Annie [Mae West and Victor McLaglen]
Mae West - The Glamour Collection (Go West Young Man/ Goin' To Town/ I'm No Angel/ My Little Chickadee/ Night After Night)
Sextette
Klondike Annie

ASIN: B000EWFINI

Product Description

Mae West, who wrote this and a handful of other movies during the 1930s, stars as 1890s blues singer Ruby in a comic romp that follows the dazzling entertainers quest to find the man of her dreams without being duped. Ruby distracts boxer Tiger so much that Tigers manager asks Ruby to leave town, but its not the last that Ruby and Tiger will see of each other. Singing such songs as "My Old Flame" and "Memphis Blues" with a sultry air in front of Duke Ellingtons orchestra, Ruby projects sex and sincerity at the same moment. Using both her brains and her looks to keep herself out of the grasp of troublemakers, Ruby outwits her female competition and the male predators to emerge unscathed and with her beau on her arm.

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