Art Carney: A Biography

by Michael Seth Starr

Book Overview

(Applause Books). "A clear and well-written portrait of a superb performer and a wonderful human being, with emphasis on the word 'human.'" - The New York Times Book Review He was one of the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557835659
• ISBN13: 9781557835659
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Applause Theatre & Cinema Book Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

AAAART CARNEY!!!!!

Any fan of the Honeymooners (I was tempted to write "even casual" but with that show, you've got to be a huge fan from day one)) will love this book; or anyone who got see Art on Broadway, in the movies....or even on Laugh-In). This is the very valuable, of course long-awaited book on one of the most versatile (and likeable) actors in history. Consider that he was a band singer, live TV character actor, dramatic actor in that medium and others - oh, and by the way, basically *created* one of the greatest sketch/sit-com characters: E. L. Norton. This book is loaded with facts and touching anecdotes about this still-mysterious figure. In fact, for those who kind of "grew up" with AC, the career resume at the end (and the many rare photos, beautfully reproduced!) would be worth the cost of the book! You could read this work cover-to-cover on a NY to FLA flight - then want to look for the theatre in which Art re-joined Jackie in 1966 for new and reworked Honeymooners' sketches. It seems to me that Art Carney is the most successful *established* TV actor to amke a seamless transition to Broadway and the movies. How many can you name have done that? You will not find the kind of depth another writer provided in a book on Jerry Lewis, "The King Of Comedy", but this remains a highly recommended literary opus. [correction: Art returned to the Gleason show in September of '62 for a sketch reminscent of "Be Big", a Laurel and Hardy short, which did involve Ralph-Ed-Alice-Trixie. The sketch Starr mentions came about a month later]. [footnote: my copy has a different cover photo probably from the same photo session].

An interesting, absorbing book about a show business giant

A pleasure to read! Starr's account of the life of this incredibly talented actor deserves great recognition! One has a true compassion for the trials of Art's life and how he has overcome adversity so completely. The casual observer will be surprised to learn of Carney's range as an actor(it could have been titled "There's More Than Norton"!). The only mild criticism is the jumbling of the storyline sequencing in both "Harry and Tonto" and "Going in Style". This book was a delight and I appreciate Mr. Starr taking the initiative to put this great chronicle together! Steve Schockow Brighton, NY