This examination of 1950s film clowns suggests the decade was the 20th century's most volatile for the genre. Besides McCarthyism and TV and their potential for the dumbing down of pictures, this was the first decade when all major screen clowns were not so easily pigeonholed as comedians. This text is a decoder ring to a misunderstood decade.
The examination of 1950s film clowns suggestions this decade was the 20th century's most volatile for the genre. Besides McCarthyism and TV and their potential for the dumbing down of pictures, this was the first decade when all major screen clowns were not so easily pigeonholed as comedians. Plus, the text contests the era's phrase ""dumb blondes"" as it applies to Judy Holliday and Marilyn Monroe. It also iconoclastically deflates the significance of Jerry Lewis in order to better celebrate the neglected early comic gifts of Dean Martin. Moreover, it provides the most insightful look at the decades most important neglected director of personality comedians - Frank Tashlin. Finally, the book is a telling look at the 20th century's greatest entertainer - Bob Hope. Ultimately, Movie Film Clowns of the 1950s is a decoder ring to a misunderstood decade.
“"Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship"- Choice ; "Wes D. Gehring is a prolific author and film historian with an expertise in screen comedy. Thus, a book on movie comedians of the fifties would be especially significant coming from someone with this frame of reference and accomplishment. Gehring carefully and insightfully examines all of the movies and spotlights their connection, their importance, and their contiuned impact. One of the most interesting film books of the year"- jlneibaur-writer .”
“Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship”—Choice; “Just about anything with film historian and media writer Wes D. Gehring’s name on it will be of quality.”—Cinema Retro; “He explores, in detail, a dozen of the classic movies of the era. It’s a fascinating study”—Pop Culture Classics; “a fresh and fascinating inside into screen comedies of the 1950s...Gehring expertly covers an even dozen of the decade’s most significant comedy films.”—Yes!Weekly; “Wes D. Gehring is a prolific author and film historian with an expertise in screen comedy. Thus, a book on movie comedians of the fifties would be especially significant coming from someone with this frame of reference and accomplishment. Gehring carefully and insightfully examines all of the movies and spotlights their connection, their importance, and their contiuned impact. One of the most interesting film books of the year”—jlneibaur-writer.
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 35 film-related books, including award-winning biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, Red Skelton and Charlie Chaplin.
This item is eligible for simple returns within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. See our returns policy for further details.
