Belle of the Nineties

Belle of the Nineties (1934) is Mae West's fourth motion picture, directed by Leo McCarey and released by Paramount Pictures. The film was based on West's original story It Ain't No Sin which was also to be the film's title until censors objected. Johnny Mack Brown, Duke Ellington, and Katherine DeMille are also in the cast. Shooting commenced on March 19, 1934, and concluded in June. The film was released on September 21, 1934. It had a domestic (U.S.) gross of $2,000,000. As usual with West's films, some scenes were removed for versions to be shown in different states. To be shown in New York, one of the biggest markets, they had to completely re-shoot the final scene. Mae West's character and the Tiger Kid were originally to complete their nuptials without a marriage ceremony; the ceremony had to be included. A publicity stunt went awry when 50 parrots were trained to shout the original title of "it ain't no sin". The parrots were subsequently released in the jungles of South America still repeating "it ain't no sin" over and over again. Sheet music of the song "My American Beauty" was also printed with the film's original title and corrected with a rubber stamp.