Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle: A Biography Of The Silent Film Comedian, 1887-1933 [Paperback]

Stuart Oderman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786422777 | ISBN-13: 978-0786422777 | Publication Date: July 27, 2005

Fatty Arbuckle’s career came to a sudden halt amidst allegations that he raped and caused the death of a young starlet named Virginia Rappe. Though he was acquitted, the comedian, who was at one time second in popularity only to Charlie Chaplin, was ruined. Interviews with many of Arbuckle’s contemporaries (including Minta Durfee, his first wife) and extensive research inform this serious study of the once-fabled comedian. His early days in the Keystone comedies and his relationship with Chaplin are recounted. The details of the Rappe trial and his life afterwards are also provided.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[A] fascinating biography...an invaluable and thorough historical perspective...highly recommended” --Choice

“a good read that will satisfy any fan of these early movie stars” --Sullivan County Democrat

“fascinating first-hand accounts...vividly captures the personal side of the people in the world of early film comedy” --Past Times

About the Author

Internationally acclaimed silent film pianist Stuart Oderman lives in East Orange, New Jersey. He is also the author of Lillian Gish (2000).

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (July 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786422777
• ISBN-13: 978-0786422777
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,896,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than some..., January 24, 2007

By 

M. Hagerstrom "heathen" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle: A Biography Of The Silent Film Comedian, 1887-1933 (Paperback)

I had high hopes for this book- particularly given the $30 price tag. Don't get me wrong, I am more than willing to pay more for a good product. Unfortunately, there are several "little" problems that add up to a less than stellar experience. The first thing that struck me when I received the book was how thin it was. Now at 255 pages, it's not exactly a pamphlet but most of the other biographies that I own for silent film stars are more substantial. My real issues started within the first few pages. The text states that Arbuckle made 3 sound shorts in 1933 as part of an attempt at a comeback. Not true. Arbuckle made a total of 6 shorts in 1932-1933. The short that the text says was the first short made was in fact the LAST one made. Elsewhere, the text states that Buster Keaton gave up $250/wk on a show in exchange for $40/wk to work with Arbuckle and he considered the pay cut a small price to pay for his apprenticeship with Arbuckle. Keaton, if fact never bothered to ask initially how much he would make working with Arbuckle. There are other minor examples I could site. This may seem nitpicky of me but if these basic facts are incorrect and/or misleading, I am left to wonder what else in incorrect or misleading. There are also several typos throughout the book- not a big deal but one more minor thing that detracts from the work. I also noticed that on several occasions an incident that is sited in one chapter is sited again in the following chapter without adding anything to the retelling; it gives the impression of a school child told to write a 1000 word essay and repeats himself to reach the word requirement.

On the bright side, I have this to say about the book: It is certainly better that the Stahl book out there that, though a self proclaimed fictional work, many take to be more biographical than they should. Oderman's book is a balanced, non-sensationalized account of Arbuckle's life. Also I was pleased to see excerpts of interviews with Minta Durfee(Arbuckle's first wife). It was informative to read her take of events in her own words. Much of this material I have not seen elsewhere. In the end I enjoyed reading the book very much but I am left wondering how much of the material is accurate.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Arbuckle's life included more than a terrible scandal, and this book confirms that, July 13, 2006

By 

Snorre Smari Mathiesen "Buster" (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle: A Biography Of The Silent Film Comedian, 1887-1933 (Paperback)

It is of great satisfaction to every fan of silent comedy that Roscoe Arbuckle is finally gaining some recognition as something more than an unfortunate victim of false accusations. His work was recently celebrated in a loving DVD-set released by Laughsmith, and this book, ROSCOE "FATTY" ARBUCKLE A BIOGRAPHY OF THE SILENT FILM COMEDIAN by Stuart Oderman, which was first published in 1994 and reprinted last year, is another triumph. While it examines the infamous scandal thoroughly, it also includes aspects of his life far beyond that, beginning with his sad, friendless childhood which was largely shaped by his mother's death and his father's alcoholism, going on to cover his early stage career. Oderman has done his research not only on Arbuckle but also, obviously, on his era. Oderman spent years interviewing people involved in Arbuckle's life, most significantly his first wife Minta Durfee; some have questioned the accuracy of Durfee's statements, but it does in any case remain of value to be provided with her insights and way of thinking. Of particular interest to me was reading about Arbuckle's working relationship with Chaplin and Keaton.

The book does suffer from some inaccuracies; whereas Oderman claims that Arbuckle starred in three sound shorts for Warner Brothers towards the end of his life, he did in fact appear in no less than six. However, all in all these flaws are quite minor, and ROSCOE "FATTY" ARBUCKLE: A BIOGRAPHY OF THE SILENT FILM COMEDIAN is highly recommended from me to anyone who appreciate the comedies of the charming comedian, and to you who simply want a belivable study of his life.

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UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2010 - I've recently re-read this book and must admit to have slightly changed my opinion on it. I have done more research on Arbuckle in the time that has passed and have come to realize that Oderman's study disappoints on some levels. First of all, some of his sources, and hence the conclusions he draws, regarding the scandal are worthy of skepticism. Further, it fails to give a satisfying exploration of Arbuckle as a comedian and film-maker. It is still the best full-fledged biography devoted to Arbuckle to date, to my knowledge, but a "definite" biography has yet to be written.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't call him "Fatty", December 30, 1999

By 

Bruce Calvert "silent movie collector" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle: A Biography of the Silent Film Comedian, 1887-1933 (Hardcover)

You will have a hard time putting down this engrossing biography of silent film comedian Roscoe Arbuckle. Author Oderman has interviewed Arbuckle's first wife Minta Durfee extensively for this book. While other Arbuckle biographies may delve into his scandal and trial deeper, this one focuses on his personal life. The book illuminates Arbuckle's heart-breaking childhood, his personal failings and the reasons for the breakup of his marriage.