Reviews (3)

An X-Rated "All in a Day's Work"
There is very little comic insight in this book.A collection of short tales of debauchery and wild drug use that road comics would tell each other, the book makes a normal person feel like a rube who bought a ticket to the freak show. (Yes, there is just a hint of envy in that last statement.) Some of the stories are funny, in a "Porky's" sort of ashamed-that-I'm-laughing way.
Warning Label
A warning label should be posted on this book: Please allocate 4-6 hours of time before opening this book.You will not be able to put it down.I truly enjoyed this compilation of stories from the comedy trenches.
Really fun read
The Publishers' Weekly review on this page says this book is fantastic "bathroom reading." I guess they mean that it's perfect for people who don't always have time to sit down and read for an hour or two at a stretch.Because the stories in here are so short, it's easy to read for ten minutes, get a few complete stories and good chuckles, and then put the book down for next time.There are well over a hundred stories in here so if you read the book this way it'll last you for a while! Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    3. General    4. Humor    5. Miscellanea    6. Performing Arts    7. Performing Arts/Dance    8. Stand-up comedy    9. United States    10. Humor / General   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (10)

Perfect book for Newhart fans
Seeing on Amazon that there is an audio CD of this book makes me wish I had listened to that instead. If only to hear the amazingly funny stories that Bob tells so well. This book is like a breath of fresh air for all those who enjoy Bob Newhart's subtle and yet hysterical brand of comedy. Reading this book makes me wish his fantastic TV shows were still on in syndication somewhere. He tells his life story with the same dry wit that he tells all of his jokes.This book is a must for anyone who is a Newhart fan.

ENJOYABLE, BUT SLIGHT.
I've recently rediscovered THE BOB NEWHART SHOW on DVD and it more than stands up to my memory of it being one of the funniest TV comedies of the '70s.I was also a fan of NEWHART in the '80s and Bob's deadpan performance at this year's Emmys made me laugh out loud.So the release of Newhart's autobiography dovetailed nicely with my renewed interest in Mr. Newhart and I was especially curious to read his recollections of his years on television.
Good For Getting Your Mind Off Other Things
"I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This" is Bob Newhart's biography, with whimsical insights into his early life, tentative beginnings in comedy, and then on to "The Bob Newhart" show and stardom.As one would expect, the book is both laidback and interesting; even better it helps fill your mind with more relaxing thoughts after being broadsided with countless stories about Rep. Foley, North Korea's "bomb" (?), Iraq, Iran's pursuit of nuclear (?), Woodward's latest book, falling house prices, the stock market bubble (part II), and Barbra Streisland's latest outburst.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audiobooks    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Comedians    7. Comedy    8. Comedy (Performing Arts)    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    10. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    11. Individual Actors And Actresses    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Rich & Famous    14. Television actors and actresses    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / Rich & Famous   

Reviews (19)

Become the funniest person in print with this basic comedy writing handbook for humor writers
Become the funniest person in print with this basic comedy writing handbook for humor writers, Mel Helitzer & Mark Schatz's Comedy Writing Secrets, 2nd Edition which offers up exercises, details on differences between different types of comedy writing, and tips for writing for specific markets, from sitcom and television to greeting cards and T-shirts. Tips are blocked in sidebars of at-a-glance information, discussions are filled with comedy quotes throughout, and insights on what makes something funny offers up a fine pairing of exercises and insights on humor.

A book to get you started
I have the first edition of this book (figures they'd release a second edition after I buy the first) and learned a lot from it. It reads like a college textbook and the joke examples aren't funny in the least, but the formulas you learn here are used by comedians and sitcom writers all the time. Just turn on your favorite sitcom one night and count the various joke formulas used over the course of a half hour show if you doubt Helitzer's knowledge. You'll find that he describes nearly every one in this book.
A guide for humor writers who want to master the basics to become professionals
Mel Helitzer works with Mark Schatz on the second edition of Comedy Writing Secrets, a guide for humor writers who want to master the basics to become professionals. This is an expanded new edition which includes more humor writing exercises, more details on how to write for sitcoms and standup alike, more sources for paying positions, and more markets. Anecdotes and tips from top comics supplement information writers will find specific and essential to honing their craft. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Comedy    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. General    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    7. Reference    8. Wit and humor    9. Writing Skills    10. Creative writing guides    11. English   

Reviews (2)

Handsome Book, Good Source For Appreciators Of Cocktail...
A handsomely bound book with lots of colour and a real feeling of nostalgia throughout.I thought the book was well set up for easy reading and the enclosed anecdotes were usually charming and interesting.Some very sharp looking sepia-toned photos throughout the book along with colorful graphics and photos.Nice reproduced images of the various clubs' promotional material as well.I would have myself liked to see more photos of the people who worked in these establishments in "action" so to speak.Meaning, photos of flashy bartenders mixing up a martini, or beautiful cigarette girls, or a waiter with a tray full of fancy drinks, etc.I would have also liked to know what ever happened to the clubs themselves after they closed.Were they bulldozed? Do some still exist albeit in another form?However, the book is one of the few tributes in printed form to the period of the luxurious dinner clubs and night clubs of the first half of the 20th century.That alone makes it a must have for enthusiasts of the long gone cocktail "set".I was in the club industry for most of my working years, so I do know a little of the lifestlye!Wish I could have been around the "French Casino" or the "Cocoanut Grove" back in the heyday.It looked like a marvelous time to be alive in America and enjoy the true meaning of "a night on the town".

Vintage Classics!
I am here to actually review the author, Susan. I know how hard she works and her committment to presenting the best is phenomenal. Susan is an amazing author and I am honored to call her my cousin!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Comedy    3. General    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Performing Arts / General   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding Cultural History (And It's Funny, Too)
The title "A Futile and Stupid Gesture" is, of course a quote from "National Lampoon's Animal House", one of the most beloved, successful, and influential films of the past 30 years.Doug Kenney helped write that movie and played the role of "Stork", as well as writing the almost-as-adored "Caddyshack", along with being one of the first and most powerful editors of the legendary magazine "National Lampoon".Josh Karp's book is both a biography of Kenney and a history of the whole "Lampoon" scene, which because of the sway of the quasi-spinoff "Saturday Night Live", becomes a social history of American comedy during the 1970's.And that decade was to comedy like the 1960's was to rock--a time which transformed show business and culture not just in the U.S. but in the whole Western world.The irony is that, as a woman who worked with the almost all-male writers of that scene said of them, "they were the most miserable bunch of guys I've ever known."
excellent biography of a man and a magazine
Ever since Esquire published their cover story on Doug Kenney, "Life and Death of a Comic Genius," many years ago, I've been hoping for a book like this to appear. Mention the name Doug Kenney to your co-workers and see what sort of reaction you get until you start talking about National Lampoon and Animal House.
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Subjects:  1. American wit and humor    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Comedians    7. Comedy    8. Comedy (Performing Arts)    9. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    10. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    11. History and criticism    12. Periodical editors    13. Publishing Industry And Trade    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    16. Biography: film, television & music    17. Performing Arts   

Reviews (9)

Yummy Gossip!!!
I love Laurie Jacobson's books and this one is the best yet!!!I love her "juicy little tidbits" about the stars of yesteryear.The stories are very entertaining and I love the fact that she also included recipes to match the stories.A very clever thing to do!!! It's almost like 2 books in one, a gossipy book and a cookbook! I hope she continues to research Hollywood and to write wonderful books about the stars!!!!My only complaint---it's not long enough!!! I am ready for a "Dishing Hollywood II".

A Must-Have Book For Classic Movie Fans!
I had so much fun reading this book! The stories are great and Miss Jacobson clears up a lot of false Hollywood rumors. The best part about this book is that it includes chapters about some forgotten stars like Carole Landis, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Lupe Velez. Anyone who is a fan of classic Hollywood and loves juicy gossip will want this book.

Dishing Hollywood:Recipe for Success
I highly recommend Dishing Hollywood The Real Scoop on Tinseltown's Most Notorious Scandals.Laurie Jacobson really knows her stuff and serves up heaping portions of scandal and intrigue of Hollywood's most notorious stars.I have read all of the author's books and Dishing Hollywood is Jacobson at her best.Jacobson brilliantly spins tale after sordid tale, "sprinkles" famous film quotes throughout each chapter and "tops" off with a recipe of the star's favorite dish (or, in some cases, their last meal!). Dishing Hollywood is a tasty treat, and I can't wait for Jacobson's next book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acting & Auditioning    2. Biography    3. Comedy    4. Cookery    5. Cookery, American    6. General    7. Humor    8. Individual Movie Actors And Actresses    9. Motion picture actors and actr    10. Motion picture actors and actresses    11. Performing Arts    12. Performing Arts/Dance    13. Popular Culture - General    14. Topic - Business and Professional    15. United States   

Reviews (2)

Very informative
I found alot of useful information. Especially in the business aspects of Concert Lighting. General History of concert lighting is very indepth. As for the art and techniques in the book, I found the book to be very basic. I'm not a lighting Designer. The only experience I have. Is hands on experience. This business is very secretive. This book has alot of the answers.

Fabulous!
"Concert Lighting : Techniques, Art, and Business" is one of the most useful books on lighting. I have been a lighting designer for a few years now, and have read many many books on lighting, theater and concert."Concert Lighting : Techniques, Art, and Business" goes intogreat depth for designing with intelligent lighting, as well as using fogs,hazzers and pars. "Concert Lighting : Techniques, Art, andBusiness" also gives great information on all companys from which tobuy these items, and the many different ways to control them. "ConcertLighting : Techniques, Art, and Business" is a definite winner with mycompany and I. I will continue to refer "Concert Lighting :Techniques, Art, and Business" to all associates in my field, as wellas in others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Comedy    3. Lighting    4. Music-halls    5. Performing Arts    6. Performing Arts/Dance    7. Reference    8. Special effects    9. Stage Lighting    10. Theater - Stagecraft    11. Heating, lighting, ventilation    12. Performing Arts / Theater / Direction & Production    13. Technical & background skills   

Reviews (30)

A structure to comedy for comedians
I live in New York, and write stand up comedy.
A nice book for the price...
I bought a few books on comedy after a lot of researching, and I was impressed by only three books. This is one among them.
Very Inspiring Book
I just recently bought the book, love it. Made it past Part one and i'm writing material like a mad man, this book really does give you more confidence to go through with your ambitions to be a comedian. Right now i'm an Illustration student but comedy has always been a hobby of mine and I plan on mixing the two together some how..I got a good idea how to though so i'm gonna do it!
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Comedy    3. Comedy (Performing Arts)    4. Form - Parodies    5. General    6. Performing Arts    7. Performing Arts/Dance    8. Stand-up comedy    9. Technique    10. Wit and humor    11. Humour    12. Performing Arts / Comedy   

Reviews (34)

This book is my Bible!!!
For anyone wanting to get into standup comedy and not develop bad habits, this book should be your primary source, and essential tool. It shows you not only how to write the funny, and I mean REALLY funny, but also how to rehearse, how to get gigs, how to win the crowd and club staff over to liking and supporting you, it's got it all. Every single piece of advice Greg gives in the book is absolutely spot on. It made such a change in my on-the-mic presence that I think I'm approaching the point where I will be "unbombable", as I call it. Below is an email I wrote to Greg thanking him for sharing his knowledge.
For a beginner this makes sense and works for me
Whilst I appreciate all I've done is read it (twice now) in the last few days and hence don't have my own material prepared, the book makes sense. Some folks find it easy to find fault-perhaps they bought the book for laughs rather than creating laughs (there is a difference).
Seminal Text on Stand Up Comedy
This book is in the same category as Zinser's "On Writing Well," or Samuelson's classictext on economics.Zinser and Samuelson were text book writers whose genius destined them to dominate their respective fields.Greg Dean's genius is more like, well Greg is not a genius in that sense.In fact he is not a genius in any sense.Frankly, a little slow.OK, he probably has an IQ a little lower than average.OK,OK I don't like to bring it out but - MILD retardation, but not profound.Why they published it in his original fist grip crayon is beyond me, but it works.I have killed at the Comedy Store and the Ontario Improv because of his techniques. Greg Dean has trained more funny comics than anyone else in LA.He is a gifted teacher genius and sometimes not easy, simply because outstanding stand-up is not easy.The book won't make you funny, you have to study and apply it.My favorite quote by Greg us that "Stand Up Comedy is the one thing you can do poorly and nobody will laugh at you."This truely is a seminal text.Which is probably why the pages stick together. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Performing Arts    3. Performing Arts/Dance    4. Stand-up comedy    5. Humour    6. Performing Arts / Comedy    7. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (6)

Get the Hook and Get this Book
I found Michael Pollock's Musical Improv Comedy an excellent compilation of technique, theory, and practical exercises explained in a way that is easy to understand for those of us with no previous musical training. Pollock has that rare ability of being able to connect with boththe advanced performer and the beginner -both will find his work valuable and relevant- especially with regard to understanding the craft of musical improv and applying the creative skills.The book's format is clear, well-structured, fun and easy to move through. Each chapter includes concrete examples and exercises for practice. The practice CD deserves special recognition, as it makes the learning process even more compelling and truly enjoyable.
Practical, inspiring and highly, highly readable.
I really couldn't recommend this book highly enough - Michael Pollock is one of those rare people whose genius at what he does is equalled by his genius at teaching it.
The Easiest and Most Complete Resource I've Found
I teach Children's Comedy Theatre in North Hollywood.We have been doing improvised singing for a long time and I've always wanted a nice easy resource to use when teaching people how to create a song on the spot.This book is it.Not only is it VERY simple to follow and an excellent source of information, it also contains a CD that will be a fixture in my teaching for ages to come.If anyone has ever improvised a song, played music, or just wanted to be able to think quicker on their feet, this is the book for you.
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Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. General    3. Genres & Styles - Musicals    4. Instruction & Study - Songwriting    5. Music    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Performing Arts    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Song improvisation   

Reviews (3)

How can this volume possibly sell for $96.00?
Does it come with a ventriloquist dummy... AND a ventriloquist?

HUH?
This book is an example of psuedo-intellectual overthinking of the highest order. It's dense, wordy and unreadable in every way. Why would any writer spend what appears to be LOTS of time and energy on this of all subjects: Ventriloquism's effect on CULTURE?!
cultural ventriloquism suddenly verrrry interesting
I enjoyed this text, recommended by a colleague, for other reasons, but thought of it immediately when the possibility of George W. Bush's use of a wire and "ear" during the first debate with John Kerry began to surface on the internet in the last day or so.Talk about the "vocalic uncanny"!Is "wiregate" merely(!) a part of the trend of increasing technological possibilities for problematizing the relation between voice and body?
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Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Film & Video - History & Criticism    3. History    4. Modern - 20th Century    5. Performing Arts    6. Performing Arts/Dance    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Puppetry And Marionettes    9. Puppets & Puppetry    10. Social aspects    11. Ventriloquism    12. Conjuring & magic    13. History / Modern / 20th Century    14. History of specific subjects    15. Linguistics    16. Puppetry, miniature & toy theatre   

Features

• Box set

Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Radio - General    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    4. Comedies    5. Performing Arts    6. Radio programs    7. United States   

Reviews (27)

A MUST HAVE......
This is the best for someone looking to start standup. The book had cool questions for you to fill in the blanks and has phone numbers and networking. I read it and it definately makes you more informative and confident in writing your skits. I'm a comedian so I know. :o)

LaMott A Jackson should review books, not other reviewers.
I didn't read, nor review this book, Stand Up Comedy, but apparently LaMott A Jackson blieves that I did, as he/she chose to drag my name into his/her review.I thought these were reviews, not forums for trashing other reviewers' names.
What a disaster!
I've read a lot of these stand-up books now, about five of them, and this one is far and away the worst.If you want to know how to sound like a dated, hack comic -- this is your text.I cannot imagine an evening out being "entertained" by a group of comics that all follow the exercises in this book.I would hang myself before the night was over.This book convinces comics to play AWAY from their voice and to simply take banal observations and wrestle them into tired hyperbolic cliche setup-punch format.Nothing in this book put forward as an example of good comedy made me laugh.Actually, more often than not they made me cringe.The book is dated, the lessons will turn your into an unfunny "joke teller."Do yourself a favor and watch some comedians you find funny and then ask yourself if they are doing anything REMOTELY similar to what this book suggests you need to do to be funny.You'll be surprised.I have to say please don't waste your money on this book unless you actually WANT to be a bad, cheesy, stuck-in-the-80s "comedy stylist." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedians    2. Comedy    3. Comic, The    4. General    5. Humor    6. Stand-up comedy    7. United States    8. Vocational guidance    9. Humor / General   

Reviews (7)

A Truly Enlightening Experience
John Belushi, a man of laughs, a man who lived for an audience's
A rare and vulnerable spark
Most if not all of the facts of this book will not be new to John's fans.Especially those who have read the eight-or-so books already written about or by him and his friends and family.
Biography Of A Decade
I was in the library a week before surgery looking for light fiction to tide me over a week of recuperation, when I saw "Belushi" sitting on a new non-fiction shelf and picked it up on a whim.I never got to the fiction.
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Subjects:  1. Belushi, John    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Comedy    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Comedians    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    10. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful Women from a bygone era
Rothe presents a wonderful photographic collection of some of the great stars of burlesque's golden era. Most of the photos appear to have been promotional photos for display on marquees or in hallways of burlesque houses.All of the women are beautiful and must have been fabulous to see in performance.Rothe worked in the entertainment industry and it would be interesting for him to record his memories of these women.But until then, these photos will serve as reminders of a generation of beautiful performers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques/Collectibles    2. Comedy    3. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    4. Portraits    5. Stripteasers    6. United States    7. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    8. Second World War, 1939-1945    9. Variety shows, music hall, cabaret   

Editorial Review

Who would have ever thought that learning the finer points ofimprovisation could be such fun? The "Harold," an innovative improvisational tool, helped SaturdayNight Live's Mike Myers and Chris Farley, George Wendt (Norm on "Cheers") and many other actorson the road to TV and film stardom. Now it is described fully in this new book for the benefitof other would-be actors and comics. The "Harold" is a form of competitive improv involving six orseven players. They take a theme suggestion from the audience and free-associate on the theme, creatinga series of rapid-fire one-liners that build into totally unpredictable skits with hilariousresults. The teams compete with scoring based on applause. The "Harold" is a fun way to "loosen up" andlearn to think quickly, build continuity, develop characterizations and sharpen humor. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

The Truth is always funnier
This is a great primer for anyone interested in improv. I had been in a few sketch/improv groups and the general rule was to always go for the cheap laugh. As far as "rules" we really didn't have any or knew that any existed. After finding and reading Charna's book, our little minds were blown.
Truly a great manual of improvisation
Halpern, Close and Johnson's example-filled explanation of the Harold, a type of competitive long-form improv, makes Truth in Comedy a highly useful tool for improv students and directors alike. It is a fast-paced and enjoyable read, making the book accessible even to beginning improv students. At the same time, even the most advanced improv students will benefit from the "group mind" ideas in this text. I can certainly understand why Truth in Comedy is required reading for so many college improv classes.

Good place to Start
This is not a difficult book to read and gives a fair list of new games that I had never played before.A lot of the games would be quite useful in developing certain skills like physicality etc, but the book doesn't touch on some of the bigger concepts in Impro like Status.Also there is a lot of name dropping and patting on the back, which might add a slight authority to the book, but ultimately doesn't really teach you anything.Still, I got a bit out of it, so it is worth a look.
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Subjects:  1. Acting & Auditioning    2. Comedy    3. Comedy (Performing Arts)    4. General    5. Humor    6. Improvisation    7. Improvisation (Acting)    8. Performing Arts    9. Stand-up comedy    10. Technique    11. Dictionaries    12. Theatre, drama   

Reviews (8)

Sweet
I didn't give a flip about this movie until my son introduced it to me.As a former ethics teacher at a small college, the film struck me as pure genius for its abiltiy to capture the moral milieu of the high school experience, likely as it should be without guns and gangs.My daughters really liked the movie too so I decided to buy this book for them.Taken for what it is, it is a lot of fun and worth the sweet moula you have to spend.We laughed and had a good time going through it together.I recommend it as a stocking stuffer for your teens.

Wasteful, unnecessary.
As if obnoxious teenagers need more incentive to quote an inane and rather dull movie. The quotebook is not worth the money, simply put. There's nothing within that one cannot find by simply renting the movie or even looking it up on the Incredible Edible Internet (hint: head towards www.imdb.com). Before you buy this, stop for a moment and think to yourself: is this something I really need? Of course sometimes you just WANT, but if you already own the movie, or you have access to a library or computer, there's really no point in you wasting your hard-earned money on something so... Well. Pointless.
A little redundant but great to have laying around
The book is redundant in that it is a book of quotes from, yes, the movie with the same name. And probably most people who are interested in the book will own the movie. Or will have seen it so many times that they can already quote it. I like the book, though. It's funny, everyone gets a kick out of it, and you just can't get enough of Napolean. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Cinema/Film: Book    4. Comedy    5. Film & Video - General    6. Miscellanea    7. Motion Pictures Of Specific Genres    8. Movie Tie - In    9. Napoleon Dynamite (Motion picture)    10. Performing Arts    11. Quotations    12. Films, cinema    13. Performing Arts / Film / General   

Reviews (16)

How to be a working comic
It made me laugh, it made me cry...
One hell of a businessman
Schwensen's business-like nature is sometimes annoying. He name-drops a lot and fawns over the genius of Carrot Top, offering as evidence of his creativity the fact that he makes money. But if you can supply the artistry, Schwensen definately knows the business. He has a lot of direct, useful information about how to market your act at all levels of competition, from novices to headliners.

Does not offer much
This book deals exclusively with the business side of stand-up.It tells you what you need and what is important but only gives simple suggestions on how to achieve it.Also there is advice from comedieans at the end but none of the comedieans are headliners or big.Overall, this book is not for stand-up tips but basically a listing of what is needed to succeed in the business. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Career Planning (General)    3. Careers - General    4. Comedians    5. Comedy    6. Comedy (Performing Arts)    7. Performing Arts    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    10. Stand-up comedy    11. Vocational guidance    12. Acting techniques   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American literature    3. Comedy    4. General    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History and criticism    8. History: American    9. Humor    10. Politics and literature    11. Popular Culture - General    12. Satire, American    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century    15. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    16. United States - General    17. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    18. Humor / General    19. USA    20. Variety shows, music hall, cabaret    21. c 1945 to c 1960    22. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (4)

An Outstanding Overview
Stefan Kanfer has done an excellent job of putting together a very entertaining collection.Script snippets, magazine articles, and correspondence -- this is an excellent overview of Groucho's genius.Yes, there are more exhaustive compilations of his scripts and letters available, but this book is intentionally a shorter "best of" collection; the subtitle -- "Writings by, for, and about Groucho Marx" -- tells you what to expect.
Hardly Essential
This collection of movie dialogue (Only up to A Day at The Races) A few letters (Get The Groucho Letters, instead) and a few of Groucho's essays is haphazardly organized and only good for the new fan who might want to see what all the Groucho fanfare is about. This gets two stars from me only because I think it might get someone to check out the Marx brothers films. If you are familiar with their work this will add nothing new to your Marx collection.

Pretty darn good
I bought this book because I didn't know anything about the Marx Brothers, and I wanted to get a feel for who they were offstage.(I just saw "Duck Soup" for the first time, and now I just HAVE to get all oftheir movies!Absolute Genius!) Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Form - Essays    3. General    4. Humor    5. Biography: film, television & music    6. Films, cinema    7. Humor / General