Stefan Kanfer (1938–2018)

Stefan Kanfer debat “Tough Without a Gun: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of Humphrey Bogart”.

Born into a life of wealth and privilege in turn-of-the-century New York, Humphrey Bogart was a troublemaker throughout his youth,getting kicked out of prep school and running away to join the navy at the age of nineteen. Working first as a stagehand and then,reluctantly, as a bit-part player, Bogart cut his teeth in one forgettable role after another. He slogged through more than thirty B-movie roles before John Huston wrote him a part that would change everything;with “High Sierra,” Bogart finally broke through at the age of forty. What followed was a string of movies we have come to know as the most beloved classics of American cinema: “The Maltese Falcon,” “Casablanca,” “The Big Sleep,” “The African Queen” . . . the list goes on and on. (AuthorTalks)… (més)

Stefan Kanfer , Somebody: The Reckless Life and Remarkable Career of Marlon Brando.

Marlon Brando is a perpetually fascinating character. What are we to make of someone whose life, both personal and professional, hit such dazzling highs and such abysmal lows? Award-winning biographer Stefan Kanfer explores the life of this iconic artist, seamlessly intertwining the man and his work to give the full and illuminating appraisal of one of the 20th century’s most extraordinary talents. (booksense)… (més)

Stefan Kanfer llegeix Somebody: The Reckless Life and Remarkable Career of Marlon Brando.

STEFAN KANFER
talk & booksigning for "Somebody: The Reckless Life and Remarkable Career of Marlon Brando"
Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm

For everything we know about Brando as a man as well as an actor and artist, he remains a fascination. What are we to make of someone whose life, both personal and professional, hit such dazzling highs and such abysmal lows? Acclaimed film critic Stefan Kanfer answers this question in "Somebody: The Reckless Life and Remarkable Career of Marlon Brando." And in the process, Kafner gives us what may well be the final word on one of the most astonishing talents of the twentieth century.

Stefan Kanfer’s books include "The Eighth Sin," "A Summer World," "The Last Empire," "Serious Business," "Groucho," "Ball of Fire," and "Stardust Lost." He was a writer and editor at Time magazine for more than twenty years and was its first bylined film critic, a post he held between 1967 and 1972. He is also the primary interviewer in the Academy Award­nominated documentary "The Line King" and editor of an anthology of Groucho Marx’s comedy, "The Essential Groucho."

This Booksmith sponsored event will take place at The Booksmith (1644 Haight Street in San Francisco). For further information, call 415-863-8688 or visit www.booksmith.com If you can't attend this event and would like to order a signed copy of the author's new book, please email or phone our store. (Booksmith_in_SF)… (més)

Stefan Kanfer debat Stardust Lost! The Triumph, Tragedy, and Meshugas of the Yiddish Theater in America .

Stefan Kanfer brings the rich history of the world of Yiddish theater roaring back to life, with all its energy and pathos, its melodrama and comedy on the stage and behind the scenes. Kanfer’s richly evocative new book is a tribute to the great traditions of Yiddish theater, tracing its history from 19th century Eastern Europe, where Yiddish theater provided both escape and communal experience, to its brilliant pinnacle on the Lower East Side, and on to its heirs today, Seinfeld’s schlimazels and others. Author of six books, Kanfer is in the Southampton College Distinguished Writers Program. (lampbane)… (més)