Charlotte Greenwood: The Life and Career of the Comic Star of Vaudeville, Radio and Film [Paperback]

Grant Hayter-Menzies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2007 | ISBN-10: 078642995X | ISBN-13: 978-0786429950

Charlotte Greenwood never intended to become a comedienne, but she was unfashionably tall at 5' 10" and her early aspirations to become a great dramatic actress eventually led her to the field of comedy. Greenwood, whose early life had taught her nothing if not how to be optimistic, stifled her disappointment and used her considerable skill to become one of the greatest comedic actresses of the early twentieth century.Based on Greenwood's unpublished memoirs, this biography presents a personal, detailed look at her colorful life. Beginning with her early years in Philadelphia, Boston and Norfolk, it relates her struggles with ill health, her social difficulties caused by her then unusual height and her realization of her ambition to become an actress. The main focus of the work is her career, which spanned more than 50 years and ranged from vaudeville to the dramatic stage and, finally, to films (during the World War II years she starred in Twentieth Century Fox musicals with Cesar Romero, Betty Grable, Edward Everett Horton, Jack Haley, Don Ameche, and Carmen Miranda). Her roles in a variety of works including The Passing Show of 1912, So Long Letty (both stage and film), and I Remember Mama are also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on her career-defining (and best-known) role as Aunt Eller Murphy in the 1955 film adaptation of Oklahoma! Charlotte Greenwood's performance history, a list of her known recordings, and a filmography for her husband Martin Broones are also included, along with a collection of rare photographs and memorabilia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... a first-rate biography, concentrating largely on Greenwood's incredible career (as the subtitle makes clear in all media)... Grant Hayter-Menzies does his subject proud. -- Anthony Slide, author and resident film historian of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

...Hayter-Menzies can congratulate himself on adding considerably to the historical and anecdotal record of a heretofore underappreciated talent. Would that the effect on popular culture be an enlightening one, and that future generations of fans and students of the arts may in turn become familiar with Greenwood's many contributions to the annals of stage and screen. -- Jack Booch, Vancouver Voice

A unique talent and an overlooked chapter in show business history, diligently researched and informatively written. Beloved Charlotte Greenwood has been brought back to life with candor and charm. A movie lover's must-read! -- Theatre and film critic, Rex Reed (New York Observer)

Charlotte Greenwood was a tough and bright show-biz cookie who broke the rules and wrote her own. Grant Hayter-Menzies chronicles her zig-zags, public and private, with remarkable passion and compassion, precision and perception. Those who only know Greenwood at twilight, essentially as sweet old Aunt Eller, are in for some happy jolts. -- Martin Bernheimer, music critic (Financial Times of London)

Many stars believe that they could have transcended the limits the Industry put on them, if only ... but this sympathetic biographer makes a very convincing case that Greenwood was more than just a comedy spinster type. -- Richard von Busack, Metro

About the Author

Art and music critic Grant Hayter-Menzies lives in Sidney, British Columbia. His biography of Chinese author and feminist Princess Der Ling is forthcoming.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (April 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078642995X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786429950
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,155,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering a great star, June 15, 2008

By 

J. Matthews "SHOWADDICT" (MIAMI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Charlotte Greenwood: The Life and Career of the Comic Star of Vaudeville, Radio and Film (Paperback)

This book is a must for all who are fascinated by Charlotte Greenwood's great talent. The behind the scenes looks at showbiz in its glory days are as if you are actually there!

I loved it!

TOP DRAWER! THE BEST!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full Satisfaction, August 22, 2008

By 

William Luce - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charlotte Greenwood: The Life and Career of the Comic Star of Vaudeville, Radio and Film (Paperback)

The biography of Charlotte Greenwood is beautifully written and researched, and the order itself was handled professionally and quickly.