Information in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the AMPAS Library reveals that in Aug 1937, the PCA insisted on the following: "a) That the large number of offensively suggestive, or double-meaning, lines would be omitted; and, b) The excessive and unnecessary drinking and drunkenness would be deleted, and all drinking toned down to an absolute minimum." In addition, the following changes were recommended: "Peaches, Van and Graves will not be shown as drunk, and the business of cutting the pane of glass in the store window will be clouded in such a way as to get away from any definite detail of crime. The suggestion that Peaches is a thief will be cleared up by a line to the effect that a check will be sent for the goods in the morning....The business of Peaches kissing Quinn [possibly an error for Quade], to be followed by a slow fade-out, will be shot in such a way that there will be no possible indication of a sex affair between the two. This is important . Neither will it be indicated, at any time, that Peaches is a promiscuous woman, having associated heretofore with the 'Spanish fellow' and 'Frenchy.' It will also be clearly established that, at no time does Peaches live in the same house with Van and Graves." In an Aug 1937 letter to Joseph I. Breen, director of the PCA, producer Emanuel Cohen noted that "the basic characterization of Miss West in this picture is completely different from anything she has ever done before. There are no sex contacts nor sex situations that could possibly arouse the criticism that her picture previously received. I think this is the most important thing to consider in this West picture." Here, Cohen refers to the complaints from the State and local censor boards and the Hays Office regarding previous West films.
       As noted by the Var review, this film was considered "less flagrantly sexy than previous Mae West screen exhibits." NYHT noted that "the new Mae West film...is clean and dull. The offering has almost none of the salty speech and suggestive gesture which have made the star the high priestess of innuendo." Despite these reviews, the PCA still received letters of complaint about the film, such as the letter from the San Francisco Motion Picture Council, which felt the film was "definitely vulgar." A pre-release advertisement in HR announced the Paramount production Sapphire Sal , a gay nineties musical to be produced for the 1937-1938 year. This may have been an early title for this film. According to press information, Joseph Cantling, former newspaperman, was technical advisor for a correct reproduction of a turn-of-the-century political rally. In her role as "Fifi," Mae West reenacted a scene from Camille in the manner of Sarah Bernhardt. West reportedly wore seventeen gowns in this film. More Less