The Slapstick Queens

By James Robert Parish

Book Overview

Part of the Encore Film Book Classics series, this is a reprint of the original text to The Slapstick Queens by James Robert Parish.At one time or another, most every nostalgia-conscious film enthusiast has laughed heartily at the wild onscreen antics of gifted movie comediennes Marjorie Main, Joan Davis, Martha Raye, Judy Canova, and Phyllis Diller. The Slapstick Queens provides an in-depth study and appraisal of the professional work of these exceptionally noteworthy funsters. Each of these five talents has a lengthy, comprehensive chapter devoted to her oncamera and personal life, containing, as well, a detailed filmography of the subject's screen work. In addition, the book provides a full survey of each of these stars' stage, radio, television, nightclub, recording, and book-writing careers. Personal interviews with Phyllis Diller and Judy Canova give this volume an added dimension.The Slapstick Queens delves deeply into the lives and times of five major laugh makers, numbered among the cream of comediennes, particularly in motion pictures and television. Moreover, these antic talents-Marjorie Main, Joan Davis, Martha Raye, Judy Canova, and Phyllis Diller-were among the highest paid non-glamour actresses in the annals of Hollywood. This volume extols not only the film careers of these exceptionally skilled comics, but also the essence of their mirthful work in other media. The Slapstick Queens is a chronicle of, and a testament to, the fabulous careers of a quintet of Hollywood's most memorable comediennes

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1515387062
• ISBN13: 9781515387060
• Release Date: December 2015
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Female Stars that will make you scream with laughter

It seems James Robert Parish churns out far too many books. However, his series of books dealing with films and stars of the Golden period of Hollywood are absolutely indispensible for movie buffs. Anyone old enough to remember the old (now defunct) film magazine, ''Films in Review'', will recall the magazine's monthly career article on stars which covered their films in detail. The article was followed by a filmography and many photos. The Slapstick Queens is in similar vein. It covers the careers of female comediennes - stars like Marjorie Main, Martha Raye, Joan Davis, Judy Canova and Phyllis Diller. The great thing about this book is that all of the stars' films are covered in detail along with details about their personal lives (each chapter is like a mini book). At the end is a detailed filmography and a section on photos. Anyone interested in old stars should immediately add this great book to their library.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON JOAN DAVIS OR...

If you are looking for information on 5 great comedic attresses who haven't always gotten their due, then this book is for you. It has information and photos on Joan Davis, Martha Raye, Marjorie Main, Judy Canova and Phyllis Diller. I particularly got this book for the information about Joan Davis. I've found very little information about her or her "I Married Joan" series. Although, it didn't have too many details about that program, it did have a lot of information about her and her films, as well as 33 pages of photos of her. The rest of them are covered the same. If you can still get this book, if you are a fan of any of these "Slapstick Queens" you won't be disappointed in this book.