“I Used to Be Snow White. But, I Drifted” – Mae West

This Won’t Age Well…

Mae West’s screenwriting career started with the same movie that launched her acting career: Night After Night. During production for the film, West did a rewrite that ultimately led to her writing or co-writing nine of the movies that she starred in.

Alison Skipworth, George Raft, and Mae West at the bar in a scene from the film 'Night After Night'.

Photo by Paramount/Getty Images

As a youngster, West got her professional start in the theater world. One of the first major plays she acted in was the musical Vera Violetta. Inappropriately for modern audiences, the play famously featured Al Jolson, recognized for his blackface routine. However, it was clear that Mae West was destined for bigger and better projects.

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