Read more
The 1950s were a transitional period for film comedians. The artistic suppression of the McCarthy era and the advent of television often resulted in a dumbing down of motion pictures. Cartoonist-turned-director Frank Tashlin contributed a funny but cartoonish effect through his work with comedians like Jerry Lewis and Bob Hope. A new vanguard of comedians appeared without stock comic garb or make-up--fresh faces not easily pigeonholed as merely comedians, such as Tony Randall, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Some traditional comedians, like Charlie Chaplin, Red Skelton and Danny Kaye, continued their shtick, though with some evident tweaking. This book provides insight into a misunderstood decade of film history with an examination of the "personality comedians." The talents of Dean Martin and Bob Hope are reappraised and the "dumb blonde" stereotype, as applied to Judy Holliday and Marilyn Monroe, is deconstructed.
List of contents
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments
Prologue, with Notes on Abbott & Costello
¿1.¿Judy Holliday: Born Yesterday (December 27, 1950)
¿2.¿Martin & Lewis: Sailor Beware (February 1, 1952)
¿3.¿Bob Hope: Son of Paleface (October 2, 1952)
¿4.¿Charlie Chaplin: Limelight (October 25, 1952)
¿5.¿Red Skelton: The Clown (January 29, 1953)
¿6.¿Hope & Crosby: Road to Bali (January 30, 1953)
¿7.¿Tom Ewell/Marilyn Monroe: The Seven Year Itch (June 4, 1955)
¿8.¿Jack Lemmon: Mister Roberts (July 15, 1955)
¿9.¿Martin & Lewis: Artists and Models (December 22, 1955)
10.¿Danny Kaye: The Court Jester (February 2, 1956)
11.¿Tony Randall: Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (September 12, 1957)
12.¿Lemmon & Curtis/Monroe/Joe E. Brown: Some Like It Hot (March 30, 1959)
Epilogue: The Question of Quality 1950s Film Clowns
Filmography
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Wes D. Gehring is a distinguished professor of film at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine, for which he also writes the column "Reel World." He is the author of 40 film books, including biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, Red Skelton and Charlie Chaplin.
