Gracie: A Love Story (Hardcover)

by George Burns (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The 92-year-old Burns here tells a true-love story of the life he shared with his wife, who died in 1964. The author (ne Nathan Birnbaum) was a Jewish kid from Brooklyn when he met Grace Allen, who was raised in an Irish-Catholic family in San Francisco. Both were struggling vaudevillians when they married in 1928, but as "Burns and Allen," they gradually advanced into the big time. Describing their professional and personal life together, Burns fills the book with infectious humor, although one feels his loss. Clearly he wants readers to know Grace, an intelligent and endearing woman far different from "Gracie," whose exquisitely timed "illogic-logic" quips made her world famous. The memoir's great appeal is further strengthened by accounts of early vaudeville and anecdotes about Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, the Lunts and other friends. It should be a bestseller.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Burns opens this book with "For forty years my act consisted of one joke. And then she died." This is a tribute to Gracie Allen, Burns's wife and partner, and the story of their life together, from vaudeville through early radio and television. Reading this entertaining account is just like listening to Burns talk. In fact, he signals jokes by telling the reader, "Now I'm puffing on my cigar." Burns gives a good behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and their famous friends, such as Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan. But what primarily emerges is a sensitive profile of Allen, who was a tough, clever, workhorse of a comedian, despite her "Dumb Dora" role, and a generous spirit. Recommended for public libraries. Barbara Carroll, M.L.S., Eau Claire, Wis.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 319 pages
• Publisher: Putnam; 1st edition (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399133844
• ISBN-13: 978-0399133848
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #835,848 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Say Goodnight, Gracie, April 14, 2004

By	Kona (Emerald City) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Gracie: A Love Story (Paperback)

George Burns published this wonderful tribute to his wife when he was ninety-two years old, still head over heels in love with his dear Gracie, who died thirty years earlier. This book is a memoir of their personal and professional life together starting as the toast of vaudeville, continuing with their radio show for seventeen years, and later, situation comedy stars on television. Both George and Gracie started appearing on stage as children, and they teamed up in 1923, earning five dollars a week, doing four shows a day. At first, Gracie was the straight man and George said the punch lines, but they soon learned it was better the other way around. Gracie played the ditzy girlfriend and wife for thirty-five years and, as George said, he just stood next to her. He never stopped being amazed at her talent, beauty, and intelligence, and he loved her more with each passing day. The book ends with her death, from heart disease in 1958, and one is left with a lovely and intimate picture of their marriage.

Burns wrote the book as if he were talking with a dear friend, and there is a vaudeville joke in nearly every paragraph. The jokes are still funny today, and the book is a quick and very entertaining read. There is a lot of behind the scenes chatter about their famous Hollywood friends, especially Jack Benny, but it is first and foremost a tribute to Gracie and the love they shared for so many years. I heartily recommend this book, especially to those who enjoyed the Burns and Allen TV show in the fifties. It will bring back a lot of happy memories.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars funny and touching, July 31, 2003

By	A. Price (watertown, ma United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book singlehandedly turned a 13 hour plane flight into a pleasant 5 minute jaunt. For that, I will always be greatful.
The books is the story of their life told through a massive collection of jokes that just never stop coming. You don't get an intimate portrait of Gracie and sometimes it is hard to tell when he is "puffing on the cigar" or not. But you do get a VERY funny and interesting look at the life of two celebrities and most importantly you get a candid and touching glimpse into George's love of Gracie. I can't believe he carried such a flame over 20 years after her death. We all should be so lucky to be so much in love.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Say "Thanks to Gracie". Thanks to Gracie!, September 1, 2001

By	Scott R Stout "srstout2" (Philly suburbs) - See all my reviews

Rarely do I ever laugh out loud while reading - Geogrge made me.
Rarely do I ever get teary eyed while reading - George made me.

I've always enjoyed the work of Burns & Allen and always planned on reading this book - when I finally did I was gald that I did. I don't need to get into the historical account of thier carrer or what a wonderful, natural talent Gracie was - I'll leave that to George. But George's "comic valentine" to/about Gracie is a wonderful, heartwarming read. You can hear George reading the words to you (actually you really can if you have the audiocasette version - I'm puffing on my cigar) with his dry wit and great delivery.

If you admire Gracie or George you'll enjoy this read.
Next up.... ALL MY BEST FREINDS by George.