Customer Reviews

Old Jewish Comedians: A BLAB! Storybook

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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?

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.

If you grew up in the 50's and 60's watching TV, having this short but sweet book on your coffee table to thumb through will bring a smile to you over and over. Being Jewish not required.

A wonderful tribute - brought back so many great memories. Congratulations, Drew; it's your best work yet!

Having lived in a cave for decades, I had no knowledge of Drew Friedman's work until I came across his wonderful cover art for HOLLYWOOD'S HELLFIRE CLUB. Wanting more of the same, I trolled my local library and came up with OLD JEWISH COMEDIANS and its follow-up. Two 'off-the-top-of-my head' reactions: the guy is tremendously talented and seriously bent!

OLD JEWISH COMEDIANS features 30-odd caricatures of comic greats like Berle, Benny, Youngman, Rickles, Dangerfield, Groucho/Chico/Harpo, Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye, Harry Ritz, Buddy Hackett, Myron Cohen, Joe Smith and Phil Silvers along with lesser-knowns like Benny Bell, Freddie Roman and Mickey Freeman. The comic-greats-in-their-declining-years theme might almost seem cruel if it weren't for the obvious affection Friedman has for his subjects. Friedman's artwork isn't just well done, it often captures the essence of the individual - Jack Benny's placidity, Berle's outsized ego, Danny Kaye's introspection, Al Lewis' joie de vivre, Red Button's impishness, etc.

If you laughed at and enjoyed the gentlemen listed above, you'll want to snatch up a copy of OLD JEWISH COMEDIANS. It's a trip down memory lane, a tribute to funnymen of the 20th Century and a great introduction to the work of a gifted caricaturist! Recommended.

Drew Friedman's work falls into that category of "you either get it or you don't." For those of us who get it, this is pure gold. Besides being the state of the art in contemporary caricature, Drew puts a particular spin on everything he does. There's a lot of love in these portraits of aging comics, but there's still this warts-and-all approach that separates them from pure hero worship. Drew casts his Jewish comedians as wonderful funnymen to be admired, while still keeping them human (or perhaps even more than human). If the Everyman is covered in wrinkles and liver spots, then these larger-than-life Supermen have even more!

With today's comics almost always working blue, and the average comedy club or HBO special containing more four-letter words than a dockworkers convention, it's refreshing to see these old-timers (accent on the old) who were funny without being foul-mouthed. The days of these old-skool comedians is past, but their faces will live on thanks to Drew.

Like Levy's rye bread, you don't have to be Jewish to love this book.

Drew Friedman is a genius. Probably the third or fourth most talented cartoonist of the last thirty years. Maybe the fifth. Definitely no lower than a very strong sixth.

"Old Jewish Comedians" is a gem of a book. Buy this and "Warts and All" and while you're at it dig up the old Comics Journal issue with Drew's interview.

I bought this for my Jewish grandmother as a lighthearted gift. She loved it. I too found it to be a great coffee-table book, despite only being familiar with maybe 1/3 of the comedians. The art is excellent, and I could easily spend 5 or 10 minutes studying each portrait. There's a simple honesty in Friedman's work which makes it both funny and refreshing. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is absolutely no text in this book, so be aware that what you're getting is a book of portraits, nothing more. If you want more info on the comedians shown, you'll have to use the googles.

Drew Friedman is one of the best humorous illustrators working today. His art straddles the line between portraiture and caricature, capturing his subjects with wit and personality. This and his other "Old Jewish Comedians" collections are fantastic examples of a master at the hieght of his powers.