Larry: The Stooge in the Middle [Paperback]

Morris Fineberg (Author), Drew Friedman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001 | ISBN-10: 0867193085 | ISBN-13: 978-0867193084 | Edition: FIRST PB EDITION

Now back in print, this heavily illustrated, richly anecdotal memoir takes a fond look back at Larry, the wild-haired funnyman who helped make the Three Stooges the most popular slapstick comedy team of all time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: Last Gasp; FIRST PB EDITION edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867193085
• ISBN-13: 978-0867193084
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recalling:Larry Fine by Moe Feinberg!, April 14, 2003

By 

Kevin S.Butler (Mamaroneck,New York,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Larry: The Stooge in the Middle (Paperback)

In this second biography of Larry Fine(The first book to recall Mr.Fine's life was:"A Stroke Of Luck!".Larry's memiors.Which are sadly out of print.)"Stooge In The Middle"looks at the life and career of one member of "The Three Stooges"from the viewpoint of Larry's brother former druggist:Dr.Morris Feinberg.The book looks at his childhood in Philadelphia,Pa.to the accident in his father's jewelry store that introduced him to violin playing lessions(an early form of physical thearpy).Which became his introduction to show business.First as a Charlie Chaplin imitator at local amusement Parks , as a member of a Duplicate version of Gus Edwards' vaudeville kiddie act:"Fun In Hi Skool!"and as a member of several comedy teams:EG:"Fine And Dandy"and "The Haney Sisters & Fine!".Before he married one of the Haney Sisters(Mabel Haney) and he was accepted a job as a performer and MC at The Rainbow Gardens Nightclub in Chicago,Ill in 1925.Where Larry first met:Ted Healy,Moe And Shemp Howard and he was invitied to join "Ted Healy And His Gang!"(The original name of Mr.Healy's act).The book goes onto to look at the boys'difficult relationship with Mr.Healy(Whose drinking,obnoxious pranks and his pay inequity forced the team to part company with Healy.Following some turbulent years working in vaudeville,burlesque,nightclubs,Broadway musicals and some work in the movies).The book relates how Larry almost signed the trio to a contract with Universal Pictures for some feature length comedies.But Moe's deal with Columbia Pictures was signed first.Making Larry's Pact with Universal invalid and The boys began their 24 years with The Studio that featured Hollywood's Stature Of Liberty like symbol.And their other projects that kept the team in the public eye after the unfair dismissal from Columbia Pictures and Larry's years of retirement,following the stroke that forced him to leave the group.For those..who want to read a pleasant and engaging biography of a truly funny and nice man.That has no hint of scathology in it? This is the one book to have.Kevin S.Butler.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Unsung Stooge, September 1, 2002

By 

Jamie Jeffords (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Larry: The Stooge in the Middle (Paperback)

Moe Howard often said that Larry was probably the best actor out of all the Stooges. Few can deny Larry was the unsung Stooge who never got much of the spotlight from Moe, Curly, et al. This book, written by Larry's younger brother, traces the natural born entertainer's life from birth until his tragic death. I wouldn't call this hard hitting, as the author was not a professinal writer but a loving brother, thus many of Larry's financial problems due to gambling are glossed over. But I can forgive that. In an era of trashy, tell all celebrity books, this is a breath of fresh air. It's a quick read and loaded with photographs spanning the entire Stooges' career. This is a must have for any Stooge fan.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The underappreciated stooge, June 6, 2001

By A Customer

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This review is from: Larry: The Stooge in the Middle (Paperback)

Written by Larry's slightly younger brother, this book traces the middle stooge from birth, to his passing in 1974. By his late teens, Larry Fine never earned a living as anything but an entertainer. Naturally, the history of the act is covered along the way. Mr. Fineberg is not a professional writer, but can turn a phrase or two. The book serves as an excellent history lesson on the age of vaudeville as well, where the stooges got their start. Mr. Fineberg was very close to his famous brother and therefore has many anecdotes not heard elsewhere. First published in 1984, it's a quick and entertaining read.