The Pre-Code Blogathon: She Done Him Wrong (1933)

“I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it.” -Mae West

With her voluptuous figure, suggestive manner and risque dialog, Mae West is arguably the most iconic ‘come on’ queen of her time. Groundbreaking, and at times even controversial, she was known for her blunt sexuality and bawdy double entendres, making a name for herself as a comedienne, actress and writer both on the Broadway stage and in Hollywood films.

Released in 1933, the film She Done Him Wrong was based on West’s successful self-penned 1928 Broadway play Diamond Lil. She Done Him Wrong was West’s second film and first starring role — complete with all kinds of pre-code naughtiness including prostitution, booze, robbery, murder, counterfeiting, white slavery and, of course, West’s signature sexual innuendo. It was nominated for an Outstanding Production Academy Award (now known as Best Picture), and in 1996, was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.  The film was a huge box office hit, grossing $3 million (against a $200,000 budget), and has been credited with helping save Paramount from bankruptcy. It is also known as the film that starred newcomer Cary Grant in one of his first major roles.

So let’s celebrate this iconic sex siren by sharing some steamy quips and quotes from her Pre-Code classic film She Done Him Wrong…

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Serge Stanieff (Gilbert Roland): I am delighted. I have heard so much about you.
Lady Lou (Mae West): Yeah, but you can’t prove it.

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Lady Lou: Mens all alike, married or single. It’s their game. I happen to be smart enough to play it their way.

Sally (Rochelle Hudson): Who’d want me after what I’ve done?
Lady Lou: Listen, when women go wrong, men go right after them.

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Lady Lou: Come up again – any time.
Serge Stanieff: I shall, then I hope you will be alone.
Lady Lou: So do I… warm, dark and handsome.

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Linda Lou: Wouldn’t hurt me any to have a new kind of man added to my record, would it?
Pearl (Louise Beavers): Goodness be Miss Lou, you ain’t thinking of reforming? You know preachers don’t give away no diamonds.

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Linda Lou to Captain Cummings (Cary Grant)

Lady Lou: I always did like a man in a uniform. That one fits you grand. Why don’t you come up sometime and see me? I’m home every evening.

Lady Lou: You know I met your kind before. Why don’t you come up sometime, huh. Don’t be afraid. I wont tell. Come up, I’ll tell your fortune. Ah, you can be had.

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Linda Lou: This is just my summer jewelry. You oughtta see my winter stuff… You know, it was a toss up whether I go in for diamonds or sing in the choir. The choir lost.

Captain Cummings: I’m sorry you think more of your diamonds than you do of your soul.
Lady Lou: I’m sorry you think more of my soul than you do of my diamonds… Maybe I ain’t got no soul.

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Captain Cummings: Haven’t you ever met a man that could make you happy?
Lady Lou: Sure, lots of times.

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Linda Lou: Oh, diamonds is my career.

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(about handcuffs):
Lady Lou: Those absolutely necessary? You know I wasn’t born with them.
Captain Cummings: No. A lot of men would’ve been safer if you had.
Lady Lou: Oh, I don’t know – hands ain’t everything.

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 Captain Cummings: You bad girl.
Lady Lou: Mmm, you find out.

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A Big Thank You to Pre-Code.com and Shadows and Satin for hosting this Pre-Code Blogathon.  Please don’t forget to check out the other fabulous Blogathon entries via the above links!

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub