Scatman: An Authorized Biography of Scatman Crothers [Hardcover]

James Haskins (Author), Helen Crothers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991

At the time of his death in 1986, Sherman "Scatman" Crothers had had many careers in entertainment--as a singer, songwriter, band leader, and television and film actor. In Scatman, the author of Mr. Bojangles tells the story of the man who owned "the shiniest mouth in town." 24 photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Haskins ( Mr. Bojangles ) tells the story of Benjamin Sherman Crothers (who called himself Scatman because of his predilection for scatting lyrics) from his early appearances in speakeasies through his career as a band leader, songwriter, character actor in films, voice-over artist and the first black actor on a regular TV series, the 1940s' Dixie Showboat . Crothers's big break came only late in life, with the role of Louie the Garbageman on the 1970s TV series Chico and the Man ; but the delayed fame did not discourage one of show business's happier personalities--a warm and even-tempered man who was undaunted by racial prejudice (he married a white woman in 1937, "before it was fashionable"), professional setbacks and illness. After Crothers died in 1986 at the age of 76, Haskins completed this affectionate biography with the cooperation of the performer's wife of 48 years. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

"Stick out your can, 'cause here comes the garbage man!" That was Crothers's introduction in the 1974 sitcom Chico and the Man . However, Crothers had been entertaining for 50 years by then, having begun his career in the speakeasies of Terre Haute. Biographer Haskins, author of Richard Pryor: A Man and His Madness ( LJ 6/15/84), chronicles his success in radio which led to 30 years of work in television, on shows ranging from Beulah to Hong Kong Phooey . Crothers's film credits run the gamut from "blaxploitation" flicks to Academy Award winners. Unfortunately, Haskins captures little of the wit and energy of the man, offering barely more than a laundry list of his many performances. The racism Crothers encountered is only hinted at, and the problems he faced with wife Helen in 49 years of interracial marriage receives sparse treatment. Recommended only for comprehensive film collections.
- Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Cur wensville, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688085210
• ISBN-13: 978-0688085216
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,673,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars "Number One Super Guy", August 19, 2010

By 

LH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scatman: An Authorized Biography of Scatman Crothers (Hardcover)

If you're a Scatman Crothers super fan like myself you'll probably find this book a little lacking. Still a fine read and definitely worth checking out if you have even a passing interest in Mr. Crothers. I just wish it was a little more in depth.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Scatman: An Authorized Biography of Scatman Crothers, February 19, 2001

By 

Jerrod Bell "JB" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scatman: An Authorized Biography of Scatman Crothers (Paperback)

Scatman is a very good book at the begining but gets really

boring towards the middle. I think whoever wrote the book

shouldn't have concentrated on so many dry facts in Scatman's

life, by telling more of a story. Everytime the writer attempts

to tell stories in the book it's interesting but evertime he

keeps refering back to small details that shouldn't have made

it in the book. The most interesting thing that I learn in the

book is how Rap (Hip Hop of Today)has been around for decades!

Back in the 1920s jazz musicians where using a style refered

to as scat jazz in which they used their voices to make sounds

of various instruments. This required a great deal of patience

and intellegience to come up with a style like this. As black

male I think this is a good book to read for this month Black

History month to let us know what types of racisms we as a people

had to face to accomplish things in the past.