Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

If you want to know more about Roscoe than just the infamous scandal you should read this book. Roscoe had a very sad childhood and as a result he was not the "Clown Prince" off camera at all times. A very complex man, Roscoe was generous to his friends to a fault, he and Buster Keaton were well known pratical jokers and these stories are told. This book also talks about the health, alcohol and drug problems that plagued Roscoe. We have much to thank Roscoe for, not only was he a great comedic talent, he was at one time mentor to Buster Keaton. You have to keep reminding yourself that this is written with Minta Durfee's assistance and so it tends to skip through Roscoe's live after Minta.

The talent that coursed through the film studios during the 1920's was as prolific as anytime in our history. Comedy was king, and Chaplin, Keaton and Harold Lloyd were the masters. "Fatty" Arbuckle was a high-paid, mega-star in his own right, starring in the high energy, wildly slapstick Keystone Cops comedies.

Like many really interesting biographies, this story has the formula of a man overcoming early traumatic setbacks, gaining fame, adulation, and meeting a cataclysmic fate that leads to a spectacular fall from grace. Fatty Arbuckle came to symbolize much that was suspected about Hollywood. A scandal and amoral plagued industry masquerading as an entertainment center. His story was a tragic one.

The other begins a very candid assessment of the subject. He speculates on Arbuckle's impotence, and the rage that comes out when he drinks because of it. But, this tunneling into the subject stops, and a lighter, breezier exploration begins. The book is a short one, and despite the author's access to many people who knew Arbuckle, the treatment is light.

Arbuckle is a worthy subject of biography. In the right hands of a thorough biographer, his story would make an all-time great read. The author is earnest, tries hard, yet falls short of the potential of this story.

I have read Frame Up and The Day the Laughter Stopped and am convinced that Roscoe Arbuckle was innocent of the rape and manslaughter charges. What I love about this book is that more of Mr Arbuckle's personality shows through. His treatment of his first wife Minta shows that he wasn't the "Jolly Fatman" that people thought he was. Most likely due to his harsh treatment by his father and growing up unloved led Roscoe to be a bitter person who wasn't as nice to people as he should have been. It seems that he would drink more than he should and the booze would render him surly and argumentative.

There may have been some mistakes made, poor editing, and yes it was a small book with a large price, but I truly enjoyed the book and really felt that Mr Oderman was able to coax alot of information out of Minta, Arbuckle first wife and give us a better picture of the man himself.

I am About halfway through this book but it is well written , informative and definitely holds your attention. I decided to get this book after reading Jerry Stahl's novel" I ,Fatty" so I could get more factual info on Roscoe Arbuclkle and this book delivers!!!

My wife and I both had Mr Oderman as an english teacher at barringer high school. we have both read this book and it introduced me to a whole new world of comics. It even made me a fatty Arbuckle fan. E.R.Smith & Saaberah Smith