Customer Reviews

Movie Comedy Teams (Plume)

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As to Maltin writing his material, the author was all of 19 when he assembled this book: I don't think his allowance covered ghost writers. This was the first film book I ever purchased and I still refer to it now and then, a solid effort filling a hole in the literature.

In his book:"Movie Comedy Teams!".Lenny Maltin has finally given Abbott & Costello,"The Three Stooges","The Ritz Brothers",Thelma Tood/Zasu Pitts/Patsy Kelly and other comedy teams respect.As he points out their unique talents and their best cinematic works in his manuscript.Using info from many sources,interviews and photos from many private collections(Including the author's own pictures).Maltin shows his readers the brilliant witt of L&H,The Marx Brothers and Burns & Allen.He also shows us all the hilarious slapstick of The Stooges,The Ritz Brothers,Wheeler and Woolsey and Clark & McCollough.He also explains why some of these teams didn't become popular with the intelligensia and Why their work should be given a second look. There is some factual errors in regards to the biographical info on some of the performers.But this flaw does not interfer with the book's insight into the team's work.The book also lists the teams films credits.Including solo film performances never before recorded in print.Few books or for that matter? Few film historians would have given the cinematic efforts of Bud & Lou,"The Three Stooges" or even Clark & McCollough any praise in their literary tomes.But Lenny Maltin has and Thank God! "Movie Comedy Teams"gives these talented but unsung heroes of comedy film their due.Thanks Lenny! Kevin S.Butler.

For years.The comedy teams of the movies have rarely been acknowledge.Only L&H and "The Marx Brothers"have received any respect from film historians and writers.Until now.Leonard Maltin's"Movie Comedy Teams"finally gives respect to Abbott & Costello,"The Three Stooges",Wheeler & Woolsey,Clark And McCollogh,The Ritz Brothers,Thelma Todd/Zasu Pitts/Patsy Kelly etc.And the foremention Mr.Laurel/Mr.Hardy and The Marxes'.Although the book does not provide alot of accurate biographical details about the teams.It does give an indepth look into their work and their influences on the public and other performers and comedy craftspersons.It also features filmographies and photos of the performers at work.Plus a heartwarming tribute to these performers by Mr.Billy Gilbert.Who had been a well known and beloved foil for L&H,Wheeler and Woolsey,Clark And McCollough etc.Lenny Maltin's book is the first real attemp to gives these talented,creative but neglected clowns and comics their due.And we're all the better for it.Bravo Lenny! Kevin S.Butler.

It would be nice if Leonard Maltin was the one writing the books under his name. I have my doubts.

A load of information and reviews, somewhat hastily assembled, and some minor things stand out. Other than biographical details, he (or his assistant) errs in saying Clark and McCollough was a fine comedy team. I've seen a handful of the shorts, and they're pretty irritating. Just because something isn't available doesn't mean its good.

Overall a good place to begin a search for good films and comedy teams.