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Martin Gottfried (1933–2014)

Autor/a de Arthur Miller: His Life And Work

14 obres 609 Membres 5 Ressenyes

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Martin Gottfried was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 9, 1933. He graduated from Columbia College in 1955, attended Columbia Law School, and served in the Army in Europe. He worked as a classical music critic for The Village Voice and an Off Broadway critic for Women's Wear Daily before mostra'n més becoming a drama critic for The New York Post in the mid-1970s and then for the Saturday Review near the end of the decade. His first book of criticism, A Theater Divided: The Postwar American Stage, was published in 1968 and won the George Jean Nathan Award for dramatic criticism. His other works include Broadway Musicals and More Broadway Musicals. He also wrote several biographies of entertainers and playwrights. His first biography, Jed Harris: The Curse of Genius, was published in 1984. His other biographies include All His Jazz: The Life and Death of Bob Fosse, George Burns and the Hundred Year Dash, and Arthur Miller: His Life and Work. He died from complications of pneumonia on March 6, 2014 at the age of 80. (Bowker Author Biography) mostra'n menys

Obres de Martin Gottfried

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Skimmed, because I was mostly interested in his relationship with Ruth Gordon and their son, Jones Gordon, though it had some entertaining stuff.

If the name isn't familiar, he was a theater producer and director, the wonder boy of the late '20 with four consecutive hits. But his career faltered and flamed out, eventually. He was a mean SOB who took great pleasure and pride in being a mean SOB - tormenting playwrights with false promises about producing their plays, insulting and belittling actors. He directed Laurence Olivier in "The Green Bay Tree" and on opening night he whispered to Olivier waiting in the wings, "Good-bye, Larry. I hope I never see you again." Olivier got his revenge by basing his portrayal of Richard III on Harris' movements, expressions, and appearance. George S. Kaufman famously said that when he died, he wanted to be cremated and have somebody throw his ashes in Jed Harris's face.

It's interesting to wonder what attracted Ruth Gordon, a woman of huge kindness, sweetness, and kindness to him. Probably some of it was his intelligence, and vice versa. He was hugely successful and Ruth liked the finer things in life, and in 1928 he was at the top of his game and sexy. She had Jones with him because she was afraid it was her last chance to have a baby after several abortions. Ruth got smart and moved on, but there was no shortage of women who were willing to put up with him. At least two who got involved with him killed themselves, apparently because of him.

He was hateful to his son Jones, too. When Jones was four years old he told a friend, "That kid's no good." Later, as a young man, Jones lived with him and endured constant criticism and thrown ashtrays.

Anyway, this book is mostly a collection of anecdotes about Harris and I ended up enjoying it, while feeling sorry for anyone who ever tried to do business with him or be in any kind of relationship with him. What a monster. Of course he lived to be almost 80, the stinkers always do.
… (més)
 
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piemouth | Mar 13, 2015 |
Charming and inspiring, but not really more than you would expect. Gottfried is a New York theatre critic, so naturally this biography is most enamored with Lansbury's Broadway career (certainly a legitimate stance, since that's where she has had the most success). To his credit, Gottfried doesn't short on the details of the star's life in film and television. Personally, I would have preferred an autobiography. This is a good biography, but by no means a transcendent one. As a rabid fan of the actress, I enjoyed it, but I would limit my recommendation to a "fans-only" audience.… (més)
 
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TheBentley | Jun 20, 2012 |
A somewhat negative biography of Danny Kaye, the question is whether the author had that in mind when he set out to write the book or not.
 
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majorbabs | Hi ha 1 ressenya més | Jun 15, 2008 |
I was disappointed by this book. Not really the book, though, as much as the subject. Danny Kaye must have been a very depressed and searching man to have behaved in the curious manner in which he did. I have to say that I am sorry that it destroyed the false vision that I had of him.
½
 
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BoundTogetherForGood | Hi ha 1 ressenya més | Dec 30, 2007 |

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Obres
14
Membres
609
Popularitat
#41,276
Valoració
½ 3.7
Ressenyes
5
ISBN
34
Llengües
3

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