Old Jewish Comedians: A BLAB! Storybook [Hardcover]

Drew Friedman (Author), Monte Beauchamp (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2006

An illustrated celebration of the greatest Jewish comedians of the 20th century.

This comprehensive collection of portraiture of comedians born before 1930 includes the famous (Milton Berle, Groucho Marx, Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks, Jack Benny), the not-so-famous (Benny Rubin, Shelly Berman) and the largely unknown (Al Kelly, Menasha Skulnik). The Reuben Award-winning Friedman presents a thorough visual history of these greatest Borscht-Belt comedians with 28 full-page portraits.

This is a Blab! Storybook, a series showcasing sequential artists from the acclaimed anthology Blab!. Each volume is presented in a beautiful 10" x 10" hardcover and full-color format. 28 full-page full-color portraits

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Popular film historian Leonard Maltin's page of affectionate tribute is the only text in Friedman's 10-by-10-inch watercolor portrait album, which would seem to disqualify the book for the BLAB! Picto-Novelette series. Where's the story (i.e., novelette)? But kvetch, kvetch. Friedman needs no narrative to justify any book he puts out. He is one of the best cartoonists and caricaturists going, whose renderings, in this case, of star comedians of the mid-twentieth century seethe with the panoply of feelings their personae stir in so many breasts: affection, repulsion, caution, fear, sadness, disdain, and admiration (maybe). If he gives Milton Berle, Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, and the rest outsize heads, he makes sure that every crease, mustache hair, and liver spot looks utterly real. And he catches each man "on": Bud Abbott appears stoically grumpy even in retirement, Myron Cohen still tilts his head in disingenuous submission, Phil Silvers is working yet another con. If only we were all funny enough to get Friedman to draw us! Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Friedman is one of the best cartoonists/caricaturists going. -- Booklist starred review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Fantagraphics Books (October 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560977418
• ISBN-13: 978-1560977414
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drew Friedman at his BEST!, November 20, 2006

By 

Stephen Cox (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Jewish Comedians: A BLAB! Storybook (Hardcover)

All the great legendary old comedians (and some not-so-notables) come alive in this collection of Drew Friedman "in your face" artwork. I loved every page, every wrinkle, every liver spot. Friedman nails these old timers in some of the most bizarre caricature portraits, life-like and boldly detailed...in just that unique Friedman style. Don't worry, this book is not just for Jews....anyone who loves old comedians will savor this collection of artwork. I can't wait for the sequel!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very peppy, very attractive, March 7, 2008

By 

GAGOON (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Jewish Comedians: A BLAB! Storybook (Hardcover)

God knew what he was doing. First he created the Jews, then he created comedy. Then he created Drew Friedman and his pencils.
What else can you ask for?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars old jewish comedians, May 22, 2007

By 

Nancy Vella "ketzelah" (chicago, il usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Jewish Comedians: A BLAB! Storybook (Hardcover)

A great find to give the elderly Jewish family members. My dad doesn't read very much anymore, but he appreciated this book. The images are clear and fun. I'm sure seeing these pictures brought back many memories of his youth.