Aug 17 in 1893 the flamboyant Hollywood sex siren Mae West was born. Known for her witty one-liners (“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”), the actress/comedienne lives on at the kitschy “Four Ladies of Hollywood” gazebo at the western border of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Erected in 1983 by artists Catherine Hardwicke (who is otherwise known for directing the first Twilight film…ahem) and Hari West (who is apparently not related to Miss Mae West) at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, many residents consider this public art piece “hideous” and “gaudy” (even by Hollywood standards). In case you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, let me explain – a 30-foot silver Eiffel Tower-like gazebo is supported by four female screen goddesses who resemble movie award trophies (how flattering…inanimate objects) and is topped by a spire which reads “Hollywood” (in case you didn’t already know where you were). The life-size statues honor the multi-ethnic leading ladies of classic Hollywood: Mae West, Dolores del Río, Dorothy Dandridge and Anna May Wong. But there’s really nothing multicultural about it as the figures look virtually the same, and kind of resemble the Maria robot from the film Metropolis. But I almost forgot to tell you about the weather vane. Yes, as if this art piece didn’t have enough stuff going on, there’s a tiny Marilyn Monroe weather vane at the very top. Why? Who the hells knows. But I’m sure Mae West have something funny to say about the whole damn thing.
Flamboyant Hollywood Sex Siren Mae West
