W C Fields A Biography eBook James Curtis
Download As PDF : W C Fields A Biography eBook James Curtis 
The legend of W. C. Fields has persisted for more than half a century--the gin-guzzling misanthrope about whom Leo Rosten famously said, “Any man who hates dogs and babies can’t be all bad.” But there was another Fields, the man behind the character of the red-nosed card sharp, who wrote, directed, and performed in some of the most enduring comedies of all time, including "It’s a Gift," "My Little Chickadee," and "The Bank Dick."
Fields’ career spanned the whole of the 20th Century--first in burlesque, then vaudeville, the legitimate stage, silent pictures, talkies, radio, books, and recordings, and only death prevented him from moving into the promising medium of television, where he found an entirely new audience in the turbulent 1960s and 70s. He was one of the cultural icons surrounding The Beatles on the cover of "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band." In 1980 he was honored with his own postage stamp.
Now James Curtis reveals the man behind the myth, telling the story of Fields’ life and work as it’s never been told before. With exclusive and unrestricted access to the Great Man’s papers and manuscripts, he shows us the passion and intellect that fueled Fields’ creative drive, and the broken family that gave such a bitter edge to his comedy. Drawing from interviews with over 50 friends and co-workers, as well as the comedian’s own recently-discovered notes for his autobiography, Curtis vividly details Fields’ Philadelphia childhood, his first tentative steps as a performer, his arduous climb to the very pinnacle of show business, and his struggle to regain his footing once talking pictures had seemingly put an end to his career. He also shows the evolution of one of the world’s most recognizable figures, whose nasal voice and shifty mannerisms helped make him, in the words of James Agee, “the toughest and most warmly human of all screen comedians.”
"W. C. Fields" is a singular work of research and scholarship that is certain to stand as the definitive biography of one of America’s greatest humorists.
W C Fields A Biography eBook James Curtis
I've been a W.C. fan for many years and read a few books about him along the way. This is the first to put everything (and I mean everything) all together in one book. A painstakingly researched and exhaustively complete analysis of his life, career and art, this biography debunks a few Fields legends (such as many quotes and anecdotes attributed to him) and creates many more to take their place. This is the first book to really detail his stage career, Broadway stardom and silent movies and to really track his evolution from juggler extraordinaire to comic genius. Very appreciated by this reader.Product details
|
Tags : Amazon.com: W. C. Fields: A Biography eBook: James Curtis: Kindle Store,ebook,James Curtis,W. C. Fields: A Biography,James Curtis,Biography & Autobiography Entertainment & Performing Arts,Performing Arts Comedy
People also read other books :
- Understanding Karmic Complexes Patricia L Walsh 9781902405438 Books
- The Mind in the Making James Harvey Robinson 9781941129661 Books
- Mountain interval Robert Frost Benjamin T Marshall 9781171749912 Books
- Injustice Year Two #2 Books
- How to Set Up a Facebook Business Page eBook Chan Shah
W C Fields A Biography eBook James Curtis Reviews
Carefully researched and often full of well-chosen quotes, Curtis' biography offers a rounded and often sympathetic picture of "The Great Man." It is an engaging book, even if one doesn't agree with all the biographer's assessments of Field's films. The material on his early life is particularly useful.
Well written and sterlingly researched biography of the great comedian, this is the book to read if you want to know the true story. There's an older bio which was constructed mostly of stories friends told, which never took into account Fields' propensity to embellish.
My only qualm is that the author likes to give irrelevant lists of names at the drop of a hat. You can just skip over the names, for instance, of the pall bearers for John Barrymore's funeral, or the many acts Fields appeared with on a vaudeville billing.
Very informative, well-researched. Would have liked more anecdotes like in other books on the subject - but really doesn't ruin it. That info is out there - a lot of what;s here is meatier.
If you are a fan of Fields, you will love it and be surprised at some of the facts the author discloses. Notwithstanding our image of him as a boozing bumbling comedian, he was in fact a world class juggler and an athlete, being a scratch golfer and avid tennis player, before his years of imbibing took their toll. If you dont know Fields, I cannot more highly recommend a book which will introduce and enthrall you in this complex and entertaining icon. The author James Curtis has written several biographies of people in the entertainment field, and he is expansive, but also compelling.
Finally, THE definitive biography of one of the most revered figures ever to appear on the world stage or step before a motion picture camera. While there've been almost two dozen books about Fields published already (mostly filmographies, quote books, picture books or screenplays), this collection is essential for several important reasons. First of all, it's one of the best biographies of a film personality ever written. Head and shoulders above Simon Louvish's sluggish MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE, more ambitious than Ronald J. Fields' collection of letters and radio scripts (W.C. FIELDS BY HIMSELF), on a literary par with Robert Lewis Taylor's brilliant W.C. FIELDS HIS FOLLIES AND FORTUNES (but without that author's fictional flights of fancy), James Curtis turns out to be the ideal biographer of the iconoclastic comedian.
Setting the record straight regarding volumes of Fieldsian apocrypha, the legend remains intact whilst the enigmatic man behind it emerges for perhaps the first time in print. Full of nostalgia, fascinating revelations about Fields' working methods and creative approach to filmmaking, scandalous professional behavior, revealing personal data, heretofore unsuspected alliances (it comes as no surprise that Fields was a fan and drinking pal of his temperamental soulmate, H.L. Mencken), and many, many wonderful anecdotes. The ideal book to curl up with on a winter's eve (when it ain't a fit night out for man nor beast), with the necessary pitcher-full of your favorite "snake bite remedy," as Fields would say. (He'd also recommend you always carry a small snake...) A worthy tribute to a giant of American comedy. ***** 5 stars, easy.
This is a very detailed account of the life of one the screen's most talented comedians. Most of the book was very interesting and had me looking forward to the next chapter. However, I must point out that the author goes extremely deep into the life of Mr. Fields and sometimes covers ground that I really didn't care about. No knock on Mr. Curtis, he did a great job. But the book covered a little too much for me. However, I still recommend it for anyone who loved the unique personality and talent known as W.C. Fields.
This is how all biographies should be judged. I can't find one fault.
Everything a Fields fan might want to know is here. I believe the true character of WC comes through.
Unlike other show biz biographies I've read, the author refrains from extensive quotes from trade publications and scripts. At the same time, the material that is quoted and republished in the book is always supportive of the story and relevant to the topic at hand. I'm sure much of the documentation used in this book has never been published before.
It is staggering to imagine how much research and source material went into this book. However, the details never bog down the story and the tone throughout is chatty and lively. Amazing.
It's also important to point out that the author, while clearly a fan (like all of us who read the book), never glosses over WC's shortcomings. He presents an extremely balanced portrait of a man who is complicated, sometimes unpleasant, but still a comic genius who should be appreciated and treasured.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
I've been a W.C. fan for many years and read a few books about him along the way. This is the first to put everything (and I mean everything) all together in one book. A painstakingly researched and exhaustively complete analysis of his life, career and art, this biography debunks a few Fields legends (such as many quotes and anecdotes attributed to him) and creates many more to take their place. This is the first book to really detail his stage career, Broadway stardom and silent movies and to really track his evolution from juggler extraordinaire to comic genius. Very appreciated by this reader.
0 Response to "[BMD]⇒ Read Gratis W C Fields A Biography eBook James Curtis"
Post a Comment