Eccentrics of Comedy examines the lives and careers of twelve entertainers whose comedic styles were distinctly eccentric: Milton Berle, Ed Brendel, Bobby Clark, Phyllis Diller, the Duncan Sisters, Edward Everett Horton, Alice Howell, Franklin Pangborn, Old Mother Riley, Margaret Rutherford, Colonel Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle, and Ernest Thesiger. For the majority of these performers, Eccentrics of Comedy provides the first serious, detailed discussion of their work. The figures are from all areas of popular entertainment. Milton Berle is "Mr. Television." The Duncan Sisters and Bobby Clark were headliners in vaudeville and musical comedy. Alice Howell was a silent screen comedienne. Colonel Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle was a familiar figure on radio in the 1930s. Edward Everett Horton, Franklin Pangborn, Old Mother Riley, Margaret Rutherford, and Ernest Thesiger are primarily known for their work on screen. The comedic styles vary widely, but Slide highlights similarities between the entertainers. Slide writes with enthusiasm and affection for his subjects. Both Milton Berle and Phyllis Diller offered him first-hand accounts of their careers, and in many cases he quotes from other film celebrities who worked with the comedians. Slide offers a thorough understanding of the media in which his subjects worked and brings their acts to life.

About the Author
Eccentrics of Comedy is latest in a long line of informative and entertaining books by Anthony Slide, which include Early American Cinema, The Films of D.W. Griffith, Nitrate Won't Wait: A History f Film Preservation in the United States, The Encyclopedia of Vaudeville, Lois Weber: The Director who Lost Her Way in History, and The New Historical Dictionary of the American Film Industry. Slide is also the Series Editor for Scarecrow Press' critically acclaimed Filmmaker's Series.

Reviews
This well-researched book is sure to fascinate and entertain, and is highly recommended for any film buff. * Filmfax Magazine *
As the author or editor of more than sixty books on the history of popular entertainment, A. Slide is at ease for dividing comedy in a variety of subgenres... * International Theatre Informations *
Given the nature of the book, reading it is a hop-skip-jump eccentric experience...I hope people will take a look at this one which offers many valuable insights. * Communication Booknotes Quarterly *
The collection of basic raw material on perfomers who have been little researched or discussed will appeal more to archivists and historians than to critics and theorists. * CHOICE *



Book Information
ISBN 9780810835344
Author Anthony Slide
Format Hardback
Page Count 180
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 399g
Dimensions(mm) 223mm * 143mm * 16mm