Comedy is a Man in Trouble: Slapstick in American Movies Paperback – 6 Feb 2002
by Alan Dale (Author)
Legendary screen comedian Jerry Lewis once said, “The premise of all comedy is a man in trouble.” The films that endeared Lewis and others to us hinged on the physical assault of their hero, the pie in the face or slip on the banana peel that reduced the movie star to the level of the audience. Alan Dale presents a lively and accessible look at slapstick, a form of comedy with roots in the circus and vaudeville that has been refashioned by actors ranging from Buster Keaton to the Marx Brothers, from Katharine Hepburn to Jim Carrey.Alan Dale worked at a Los Angeles talent agency before earning a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Princeton University. He is currently working toward a J.D. at Yale Law School.
Winner of the Theater Library Association’s Special Jury Prize for Distinguished Achievement.
Product details
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press; Reprint edition (6 Feb. 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0816636583
ISBN-13: 978-0816636587
Product Dimensions: 14.9 x 2.3 x 22.9 cm
Average Customer Review: Be the first to review this item
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 302,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
A surprisingly great find! 11 Oct. 2009
By Jeannie – Published on Amazon.com
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
While researching different types of humor for my research in (human-centric) computer information systems, I stumbled upon this book. Though I usually read technical article after technical article, I found this book to be a nice break from the usual. It provided me with the information I needed for my research, but with an added surprise. I found myself reading this book for pure enjoyment and entertainment. The subject is fascinating and the Dale does a great job of explaining it in the most interesting of ways. I think this is my next “coffee table book” once I put it down myself!