From Publishers Weekly
In this paean to the Friars Club Berle reminisces about his high times at the 80-year-old theatrical hangout and its branch in Beverly Hills, opened during the 1950s. In 1920, Eddie Cantor introduced Berle, a vaudeville tyro aged 12, to the Friars, where he met oldtime greats like Al Jolson, Joe E. Lewis and Fred Allen and later made friends with newcomers Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. There are spicy stories of gangsters who backed plays, night spots and entertainers. Bringing history up to date, Berle announces that the Friars now accept women as members. The book is crammed with boffo one-liners as delivered by genuine wits the comedian has known, very funny material if often salacious. The superabundance of knee-slappers, however, dulls the edges. Perhaps Berle has forgotten that a comic should "always leave them laughing," not overwhelmed. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
A stitched together group of sketches and reminiscences by a top comedian. The book is based loosely on Berle's experiences in the Friar's Club, to which almost every famed entertainer has belonged. There are scattered glimpses of assorted stars such as Jack Benny, Frank Sinatra, etc., including just about every stand-up comic who ever lived. The book tries to develop a feeling for some of them, but too many are included because of the jokes about and by them. Basically a collection of one-liners, some funny but many of them incredibly tasteless. Not recommended. Samuel Simons, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
