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Article: Weekend: Books: There is nothing like a dame; Mae West - An Icon in Black and White. By Jill Watts (Oxford University Press, pounds 25) and Betty Boothroyd - the Autobiography (Century, pounds 17.99). Reviewed by Monica Foot.(Features)
- Article from:
- The Birmingham Post (England)
- Article date:
- December 8, 2001
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Monica Foot
Two life stories of two great twentieth century icons - two female feminine dames, in the words of the song from South Pacific. And the showbusiness connection doesn't stop there. Provided you accept that even the Mother of Parliaments, the Palace of Westminster, can also be a palace of varieties, both women rose to the top of similar trees: Betty Boothroyd as the first ever woman Speaker and improbable cult figure on late night American television, Mae West as a mega movie star and blatant sexpot.
Both had catchphrases: Betty's were ...