biographies

[epeterd]

just wondering, how many, if any of the actors besides jack have biographies or autobiographies? it seems i've heard of mel having one, but what about the others?

[TheSportsmenQuartet]

Mel Blanc wrote "That's Not All Folks" in the late 80s. I think you can find copies of it on Amazon and probably eBay.

[Mister Kitzel]

Sheldon Leonard wrote his autobiography, And The Show Goes On, back in the 1990's. His viewpoint in this book is humble with a light touch of cynicism, but the man was definitely sure of himself throughout his career. Jack Benny is acknowledged, but most of what I remember about the book is how it covers Leonard's success as a television producer.

Mel Blanc's book has more insight into working with Jack Benny than the Sheldon Leonard book.

[mackdaddyg]

I never really thought about it until I read these posts, but I don't think there are any biographies for any of the cast members (aside from what's mentioned here), which really surprises me. It seems like the 80s and 90s were a time where older radio, movie, and tv stars were penning some sort of autobiography, and I'm surprised none of these folks ever wrote one.

I'm also surprised nobody has written a biography of the cast members, even after they passed away. Granted, they probably wouldn't top the NY Times best sellers list, but I'm sure SOMEBODY would buy them.

Oh well...maybe someday.

[Mister Kitzel]

There is a biography of Alice Faye that I just found at Amazon. The title is Alice Faye: A Life Beyond the Silver Screen (Hollywood Legends Series) by Jane Lenz Elder. A search also came up with Alice Faye: A Bio-Bibliography (Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts) by Barry Rivadue. One would expect there to be significant Phil Harris content if only in regards to the Phil Harris and Alice Faye radio show.

A book was written about Bob Crosby, Stomp Off, Let's Go!: Story of Bob Crosby's Bob Cats and Big Band by John Chilton.

[Yhtapmys]

I never really thought about it until I read these posts, but I don't think there are any biographies for any of the cast members (aside from what's mentioned here), which really surprises me. It seems like the 80s and 90s were a time where older radio, movie, and tv stars were penning some sort of autobiography, and I'm surprised none of these folks ever wrote one.

The one person I would have thought might have written something would have been Eddie Anderson, simply because the book would be able more than radio.

Yhtapmys

[shimp scrampi]

Alice Faye also wrote one of those quasi-biographies/positive thinking books in the '90s, I forget the title - "It's Great to be Old!" kind of thing. I probably looked at it at one point but don't recall how much Phil info there is in it.

I read Mel's book back when it came out and enjoyed it, but haven't read it since then and don't have a copy.

I seem to remember Laura mentioning at one point that some of Eddie Anderson's family were working on a biography project; how close to happening that actually is, I am not sure, but I for one would LOVE to read that, moreso than a piece on any other cast member.

[epeterd]

An Eddie Anderson bio would be great. I'm amazed there hasn't been one written yet. You'd think that with such a prominent black actor, someone would have written one.

peter

[LLeff]

"Come Backstage with Me" by Benny Rubin is seriously worth a look.