"Growing Up Laughing" by Marlo Thomas

A few years ago I read Danny Thomas' autobiography. It was brilliant, taking the reader on a journey from childhood to one of the true Kings of Comedy. Danny Thomas was the driving force, and producer of, at least five prime time sitcoms, and along the way, set the standard for the genre.

Mr. Thomas passed away just before completing the recording of his book. His daughter, Marlo Thomas, of "That Girl" fame, went on to finish the book tape. Several chapters of the book "Make Room For Danny" had not been recorded, and in a stroke of genius, Ms. Thomas decided to finish the tape by having her fathers friends, all famous comedians themselves, read portions of the final chapters. That was great. But what was even better was that she read the final chapter of her father's book herself. This was about 15 years ago and I instantly became a fan of Ms. Thomas and her outlook on life.

The author takes you from her childhood, growing up surrounded by the legends of comedy; luminaries such as Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, and George Burns, just to name a few, had a profound effect on the author and the direction her life would take. With priceless stories of family dinners, and the entertainment provided by some of Hollywood's funniest people in her home, this book engages the reader from page 1, and doesn't let go until the very last page.

The story of Danny Thomas not being allowed to join the Hillcrest Country Club in Hollywood is hysterical. At the time, Jews were not allowed to join any of the exclusive Country Clubs in Hollywood. So, they formed their own. And one day some one realized that Danny Thomas, with his large nose, and dark Middle Eastern looks, was not Jewish at all! A meeting was hastily arranged and a vote taken. All voted to let Mr. Thomas join, except Groucho Marx. His problem was that the "non-Jew" looked too Jewish. He relented under very little pressure and Danny Thomas was a member of the Club for the remainder of his life.

Organized in a most unusual manner, the narrative shifts from Ms. Thomas' early recollections as a child, to stories of her mother and father. This would be enough to make a good book. But what makes this book so different and insightful, are the interviews she conducts with some of today's top comedians, and the influence that Danny Thomas and his contemporaries had upon them. Some of the interviews are conducted by phone, others by printed questions, and some in person. This gives the book a feeling of spontaneity, almost as if the reader is part of the conversations. Using interviews with Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfield, Whoppi Goldberg and Joan Rivers, to name a few, underscores this influence, making the book all the more relevant.

Exploring the different approaches taken by various comedians, ranging from Sid Caeser to Chris Rock, is a veritable education in comedy. What makes an audience happy? How do you read them within a few minutes of taking stage? Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno weigh in on this issue, providing the answer to what makes people laugh, and more importantly, why?

Some of the best parts of this book are the wonderful, and loving stories, that the author tells about her father. She clearly adored him, as did everyone who knew him.

The book also delves into the way Hollywood, and the entertainment industry, treated women in the early 1960's. Ms. Thomas' show, "That Girl", paved the way for Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda and all the female based sitcoms that surfaced in the 1970's. These werenot Lucille Ball type characters. They were independent, strong willed women.

Most people are unaware that Ms. Thomas, along with Betty Friedan and Bella Abzug, were partners in setting up the Ms. Foundation. In spite of her feminist leanings she finds herself meeting with, and subsequently becoming married to, Phil Donahue, a veritable love story in itself, that still endures today. This is a very unusual feat in the entertainment business, where long separations are often the norm.

Before reading this book I had no idea at what the author had accomplished on her own, beyond "That Girl". In a career which now spans over 40 years, Ms. Thomas has played all sorts of roles, from an Indian on a TV western to the lead role in the London Production of "Barefoot In the Park". She posesses all the skills of a "triple threat." She acts, produces and directs.

In the 1980's she was the driving force behind "Free to Be - You and Me", which won awards for it's message of tolerance and understanding. Several more books followed.

This is a very entertaining book. I read it in 2 days, picking it up in every spare moment available. Of course one of my favorite parts concerned the St. Judes Children's Center, which Danny Thomas began in fulfillment of a pledge he had made to St. Jude when he was expecting his first child and had no money. That Ms. Thomas, along with her brother and sister, all continue to support the activities at the hospital speaks volumes about them as people. It also says a lot about the parents who raised them.

An accomplished author, actress, Emmy winner, activist and wife, this woman has done it all. And very quietly, too. This is a very comfortable read.

Farewell, Josephine

Last November I reviewed "The Making of Some Like It Hot" by Tony Curtis. That book chronicled the making of a movie that broke box office records and set the stage for a new and more liberal type of comedy. This still shot, taken from the movie, shows Mr. Curtis, in character as Josephine, aka Joe, with Jack Lemmon, sans wig, as Daphne, aka Jerry, in one of the hotel room scenes.

Yesterday evening at 9:25 PM, Mr. Curtis passed away at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 85 years old and his film career spanned 6 decades. During this time he played a slave in "Spartacus", a fugitive chained to fellow escapee Sidney Poitier in "The Defiant Ones", and a spineless gofer opposite Burt Lancaster in "The Sweet Smell of Success." The entire index of his films would be too long to list here.

Married at one time to Janet Leigh, he was also the proud father of actress Jamie Lee Curtis. You might say that acting ran in the family.

There is not much that I can cover here which you will not read in today's papers, or hear on the news. So I thought I would re-run a review of Mr. Curtis' hilarious and insightful book about the fiming of the classic "Some Like It Hot", which I reviewed here last November. Mr. Curtis is one more of the "old" Hollywood crowd that seems to grow thinner with each passing year. Thanks, Mr. Curtis for some wonderful movies, and for this very entertaining book about a landmark film.

This is a delightful book. "Some Like It Hot" has long been a favorite of mine and to get a glimpse behind the scenes through the eyes of one of the principal actors is a treat!

Mr. Curtis spares nothing in his recollections of the filming of one of Hollywood's best loved masterpieces. There is a little bit of "kiss and tell" here, but not too much. The book is more a narrative of what it was like working with the creative genius of Billy Wilder.

The book is filled with anecdotes and tidbits of information about not only the movie but Hollywood itself. The rift between George Raft, who plays one of the gangsters, and Edward G. Robinson is explored. This goes back to the filming of "Manpower" with Robinson and Raft as Linesmen in love with the same woman, Marlene Dietrich. In reality they were both smitten with her and came to blows on the set. There was a Life photographer there who got it on film. Due to this , Robinson turned down the part to play opposite Raft in "Some Like It Hot."

The parts of the book that are the most entertaining involve Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon learning how to dress and act like women. The big surprise for Mr. Curtis was how well Jack Lemmon adapted to the role. He revelled in it!

The creative process is explored extensively. Billy Wilder never made a film with a complete script. He would film what he had and then rewrite or revise as necessary. This gives his films the spontaneity they are known for.

Filled with photographs from the studio and some of the authors own collection this book is a great read for holiday travel. The color photos are a real treat as the movie was shot in black and white.

The freindship between Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis is beautifully expressed. This will be of interest to all Monroe fans. He has a unique ability to let you peek inside without being sleezy. He obviously recognizes Marilyn Monroes faults but also gives her credit for the complex and sensitive person she was.

Originally I picked this off the shelf as a quick selfish read. It turned out to be so much more than that. I'm glad I took the time to look behind the magic of the movie and see how it was accomplished.

"Rickles' Book" by Don Rickles

This is a very unusual autobiography, written by a very unusual man. Don Rickles is known the world over for his short and snappy comments, wait, make that insults. He has regaled audiences from The Elegante, on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn (I had my Bar Mitzvah there) to Las Vegas, Hollywood, London and all points in between.

To be honest, when I saw this book on the shelf, I was expecting a serious tome about Mr. Rickles humble beginnings. Instead I got a book that is quickly read, highly informing and very entertaining. He writes like he delivers his jokes, the longest chapter is about 3 or 4 pages. And he dishes out some great stories about the exploits of his friends, including such luminaries as Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Queen Elizabeth, Larry King; there are simply too many to name them all here.

In an amazing compilation of these short chapters, Mr. Rickles manages to give a coherent and chronological account of his life. His chapter about being in the Navy during World War Two is hilarious. He wanted to be in Special Services, entertaining the troops. His account of where he did wind up, and how he felt about it is laudable.

Tracing his life through the post war years and his fledgling show business career, he introduces the reader to the world of show business in the 1950's and 1960's. The contracts, the bookings, all the travel arrangments required before the age of computers, are all laid bare. And through all of the problems there is one constant, Mr. Rickles sense of humor.

His 40 year friendship with Bob Newhart is one of my favorite chapters. I have never been a big Bob Newhart fan, but how these two totally opposite of men became such close friends is a remarkable tale all of it's own. It is also a tribute to their wives and the power that women generally hold over their men.

Filled with many fun stories, for instance, did you know that Mr. Rickles sent a tape to the Moon with Gene Cernan aboard Apollo 17? Or, that he took a bullet in the leg during the filming of "Kelly's Heroes?" And if you liked the film "Casino", there is a chapter here for you as well. Mr. Rickles has appeared in every entertainment medium since TV. He has acted in films with Clark Gable, and has had guest appearances on every TV sitcom that you can name. I still remember him as the inept street salesman on the Andy Griffith Show. So does Andy Griffith.

A short book (237 pages) written by a man who is motivated by his friendships and a love of show business, this book is the perfect vehicle to relax with. It will inspire the reader to have a better day.

"Let's Face It" by Kirk Douglas

This is Kirk Douglas' last book. At least that's what he says. I doubt it. His memoirs, there are three, are filled with such warmth and wisdom, they make you want to read "just one more page, please?"

Drawing on his extraordinary career and family, he seems to still get a larger kick out of life at 90 than I do at age 55. He admits to whining a bit after his double knee surgery but is quick to acknowledge the gifts in the life that he has been privleged to lead.

Life is filled with lessons to be learned and Mr. Douglas is trying to learn them all before the end comes. And he is so adept at passing on some of the wisdom he has accumulated during his time with us.

No plot line to discuss here- just a great read from an author who has seen and done so much with his life.