Customer Reviews

Ruby Keeler: A Photographic Biography

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

 

 

Nancy Marlow-Trump, a film starlet, is now a literary star. This photo biography of Ruby Keeler is objectively but lovingly told and transports the reader into an era when both stage and films were less complicated and more entertaining than they are today. Thoroughly researched and documented, it's a pity that Ruby Keeler didn't have the opportunity to read it herself.

Hooray! I was looking for a biography on Ruby Keeler for AGES! So when I saw this I bought it as fast as i could! When I got it, I practically devoured it! it's full of wonderful photos and interesting details about Ruby's life! Ruby is one of my favorite tap dancers of all time and i'm glad she is finally getting the recognition that she deserves! Long live the Busby Bekeley musicals!!!

Ruby Keeler is an interesting case in movie history. She was a success as a showgirl in speakeasies and on Broadway before she was strangely matched to showman Al Jolson. Then, she transitioned with big success to films, making musicals with Busby Berkeley and Dick Powell. After her few years in the spotlight, she retired and devoted herself to being a wife and mother. She revived her career briefly with No, No, Nanette but chose to remain at home enjoying her family and her talents with a golf club.

This book provides a glimpse into Keeler's life mainly through photographs rather than words. The author, Nancy Marlow-Trump, was a friend of Keelers. However, there aren't many personal stories shared nor are the words glowing with sincere admiration or emotion. The information written is pretty straight-forward and factual, but it ignores delving deeply into Keeler's relationships with others.

As a biography, this book lacks, but as a photo album, it is pretty good. The bright spot of this book is the photographs, many collected from old magazines, posters, or press books. There are also many photos of Keeler's family including her many siblings.

In 150 pages and 132 photographs (or illustrations), Nancy Marlow-Trump has provided a pretty good overview of the life of Ruby Keeler. Most of that life was kept quite private, in the 50-odd years subsequent to her movie career (and marriage to Al Jolson)--with the exception of the period encompassing her return to public glory in "No, No, Nanette"; and owing, perhaps, to that privacy, biographical detail about those many post-movie years is lacking. Yet Ruby Keeler was the sort of person about whom one wants to know absolutely everything; at least, I do!.... And in this regard, the book, short as it is, proves somewhat disappointing. I wish, too, that the page size had been much more generous, and that the paper were of a quality suited to photographic reproductions. Ruby deserves no less.

On the plus side, Marlow-Trump's account sticks to the facts, and is bereft of speculations, baseless or otherwise. Her affection for the lady is obvious and touching; indeed, it seems that Miss Keeler inspired such warm affection in a great number of people--with her much-cited "grace", verve, and unpretentiousness being a large part of the reason, no doubt. Add to that her sublime physical beauty--and above all else, her perfect and exquisite femininity--and you have, in my judgment, a prime candidate for Goddess of the Millennium (a title that I am quite sure she herself would never, ever, have aspired to!). Those who befriended her during her lifetime, as author Marlow-Trump did, should consider themselves--as the author also does--to have been profoundly privileged.

Ruby Keeler: This lady was quite a entertainer. She sang and danced her
way into a movie career and that was only the beginning.
Great book, loverly pictures. For somebody that has worked so hard to
entertain us...i had to ready her life story and this book helped a lot.
Recommended to whoever wishes to know more about our talented enterainers
from the recent past.
Thank you again Ruby.
A Keeper.

Nancy Marlow-Trump, a film starlet, is now a literary star. This photo biography of Ruby Keeler is objectively but lovingly told and transports the reader into an era when both stage and films were less complicated and more entertaining than they are today. Thoroughly researched and documented, it's a pity that Ruby Keeler didn't have the opportunity to read it herself.