Great Lives

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Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: Mae West

Mae West

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Mae West

Writer Kathy Lette proposes the blondest bombshell of them all, Mae West.

Writer Kathy Lette chooses Hollywood's 'queen of the quip', Mae West. With Francine Stock and Simon Louvish. From 2005.

As the blondest bombshell of them all and one of Hollywood's most outrageously camp icons, Mae West was certainly never ignored during a career spanning almost seven decades. 

As a novelist, playwright, businesswoman, producer and performer she always attracted scandal, controversy and men. 

Writer Kathy Lette proposes Mae West for great-life status and discusses the 'queen of the quip' with Francine Stock. 

Providing expert analysis is Mae West biographer Simon Louvish.

Producer: Lucy Lunt

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2005.

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