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Damon Runyon: Favorites
Damon Runyon Favorites by Damon Runyon
252 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1944
49 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Damon Runyon
227 books87 followersSuch volumes as
Guys and Dolls
(1931), the basis for a musical of the same name on Broadway, collect stories of known American writer Alfred Damon Runyon about the underworld of New York.
A family in Manhattan, Kansas, reared this newspaperman. His grandfather, a printer from New Jersey, relocated to Manhattan, Kansas in 1855, and his father edited his own newspaper in the town. In 1882, people forced father of Runyon forced to sell his newspaper, and the family moved westward. The family eventually settled in 1887 in Pueblo, Colorado, where Runyon spent the rest of his youth. He began to work in the newspaper trade under his father in Pueblo. People named a field, the repertory theater company, and a lake in his honor. He worked for various newspapers in the area of the Rocky Mountains and let stand a change in the spelling of his last name from "Runyan" to "Runyon."
In 1898, Runyon enlisted in the Army to fight in the Spanish-American War. The service assigned himto write for the Manila Freedom and Soldier's Letter.
He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition era. To New Yorkers of his generation, a "Damon Runyon character" evoked a distinctive social type from the Brooklyn or Midtown demi-monde. The adjective "Runyonesque" refers to this type of character as well as to the type of situations and dialog that Runyon depicted. He spun humorous tales of gamblers, hustlers, actors, and gangsters, few of whom go by "square" names, preferring instead colorful monikers such as "Nathan Detroit," "Benny Southstreet," "Big Jule," "Harry the Horse," "Good Time Charley," "Dave the Dude," or "The Seldom Seen Kid." Runyon wrote these stories in a distinctive vernacular style: a mixture of formal speech and colorful slang, almost always in present tense, and always devoid of contractions.
Runyon was also a newspaperman. He wrote the lead article for UP on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidential inauguration in 1933.
Runyon died in New York City from throat cancer in late 1946, at age 66. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered from an airplane over Broadway in Manhattan by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker on December 18, 1946. The family plot of Damon Runyon is located at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, NY. After Runyon's death, his friend and fellow journalist, Walter Winchell, went on his radio program and appealed for contributions to help fight cancer, eventually establishing the “Damon Runyon Cancer Memorial Fund” to support scientific research into causes of, and prevention of cancer.
A family in Manhattan, Kansas, reared this newspaperman. His grandfather, a printer from New Jersey, relocated to Manhattan, Kansas in 1855, and his father edited his own newspaper in the town. In 1882, people forced father of Runyon forced to sell his newspaper, and the family moved westward. The family eventually settled in 1887 in Pueblo, Colorado, where Runyon spent the rest of his youth. He began to work in the newspaper trade under his father in Pueblo. People named a field, the repertory theater company, and a lake in his honor. He worked for various newspapers in the area of the Rocky Mountains and let stand a change in the spelling of his last name from "Runyan" to "Runyon."
In 1898, Runyon enlisted in the Army to fight in the Spanish-American War. The service assigned himto write for the Manila Freedom and Soldier's Letter.
He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition era. To New Yorkers of his generation, a "Damon Runyon character" evoked a distinctive social type from the Brooklyn or Midtown demi-monde. The adjective "Runyonesque" refers to this type of character as well as to the type of situations and dialog that Runyon depicted. He spun humorous tales of gamblers, hustlers, actors, and gangsters, few of whom go by "square" names, preferring instead colorful monikers such as "Nathan Detroit," "Benny Southstreet," "Big Jule," "Harry the Horse," "Good Time Charley," "Dave the Dude," or "The Seldom Seen Kid." Runyon wrote these stories in a distinctive vernacular style: a mixture of formal speech and colorful slang, almost always in present tense, and always devoid of contractions.
Runyon was also a newspaperman. He wrote the lead article for UP on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidential inauguration in 1933.
Runyon died in New York City from throat cancer in late 1946, at age 66. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered from an airplane over Broadway in Manhattan by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker on December 18, 1946. The family plot of Damon Runyon is located at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, NY. After Runyon's death, his friend and fellow journalist, Walter Winchell, went on his radio program and appealed for contributions to help fight cancer, eventually establishing the “Damon Runyon Cancer Memorial Fund” to support scientific research into causes of, and prevention of cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 17, 2018
Anyone who complains about the cant in some of Georgette Heyer's Historic/Adventure/Romances (I'm looking at you, The Toll-Gate!) should try some of Damon Runyon's short stories.
The first one in this collection Butch Minds the Baby nearly incomprehensible in parts, (& a little predictable) but very amusing all the same. 4★
Lillian Some of the slang was amusing, but the story really wasn't. 2.5★
A Very Honorable Guy A silly, slight, predictable tale, but it made me giggle. 4★
Mme La Gimp Light, carefree & silly - what I hoped a Runyon story would be. I didn't recognise all the celebrity names, but I don't think that mattered. 4.5 ★
The Hottest Guy in the World Very funny ending, but I had to read the story a couple of times before it made much sense! 3.5★
Bred for Battle Not memorable & for me, not comprehensible. 2★
A Story Goes With It Really funny & I'll bet a pretty accurate account of a race course goers punting life. 5★
Sense of Humor Funny at the start, but the end really wasn't. Misogynist in the extreme. 1.5★
Undertaker Song Not memorable. 2★
That Ever-Loving Wife of Hymie's Some of Runyon's slang is so incomprehensible to me that I thought Mahogany the horse couldn't mean Mahogany the Horse - but it did. Racist, sexist & predictable. 2★
The Brakeman's Daughter Now this was funny & so much a part of Runyons world.
Little Miss Marker Just when I was writing Runyon off as lightweight, this story of an abandoned little girl being brought up by her father's bookmaker has some genuine pathos. Also some genuine racism,but it is a product of it's time. 5★
Dancing Dan's Christmas Little Miss Marker touched me enough that I shed a tear. Dancing Dan's Christmas is the only one of these stories that had me laughing out loud. I really loved this story.5★
Princess O'Hara In which a lively cast of characters become smitten by a young girl driving her father's victoria cab.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
A beer truck entered the picture. As they do in Runyonland.
Much hilarity ensued but I found the ending a bit confusing. 4★
So there you have it. A wildly uneven collection, but most short story collections are. Not for those who can't ignore racism, sexism & a bunch of other isms. I would recommend spacing the reads out further than I did. The funniest part of the stories is the distinctive Runyon narrative style. which appears naive but is often both ironic & shrewd.
The first one in this collection Butch Minds the Baby nearly incomprehensible in parts, (& a little predictable) but very amusing all the same. 4★
Lillian Some of the slang was amusing, but the story really wasn't. 2.5★
A Very Honorable Guy A silly, slight, predictable tale, but it made me giggle. 4★
Mme La Gimp Light, carefree & silly - what I hoped a Runyon story would be. I didn't recognise all the celebrity names, but I don't think that mattered. 4.5 ★
The Hottest Guy in the World Very funny ending, but I had to read the story a couple of times before it made much sense! 3.5★
Bred for Battle Not memorable & for me, not comprehensible. 2★
A Story Goes With It Really funny & I'll bet a pretty accurate account of a race course goers punting life. 5★
Sense of Humor Funny at the start, but the end really wasn't. Misogynist in the extreme. 1.5★
Undertaker Song Not memorable. 2★
That Ever-Loving Wife of Hymie's Some of Runyon's slang is so incomprehensible to me that I thought Mahogany the horse couldn't mean Mahogany the Horse - but it did. Racist, sexist & predictable. 2★
The Brakeman's Daughter Now this was funny & so much a part of Runyons world.
...while the beer truck goes on down the street with the jockey looking back and yelling words you will scarcely believe are known to anyone in Newark, New Jersey.I loved the sarcasm, I loved the twist. 5★
Little Miss Marker Just when I was writing Runyon off as lightweight, this story of an abandoned little girl being brought up by her father's bookmaker has some genuine pathos. Also some genuine racism,but it is a product of it's time. 5★
Dancing Dan's Christmas Little Miss Marker touched me enough that I shed a tear. Dancing Dan's Christmas is the only one of these stories that had me laughing out loud. I really loved this story.5★
Princess O'Hara In which a lively cast of characters become smitten by a young girl driving her father's victoria cab.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
A beer truck entered the picture. As they do in Runyonland.
Much hilarity ensued but I found the ending a bit confusing. 4★
So there you have it. A wildly uneven collection, but most short story collections are. Not for those who can't ignore racism, sexism & a bunch of other isms. I would recommend spacing the reads out further than I did. The funniest part of the stories is the distinctive Runyon narrative style. which appears naive but is often both ironic & shrewd.
January 17, 2022
Having closed out 2021 by watching Guys and Dolls, it seemed perfect to begin 2022 by reading some of the stories that inspired the movie's style, if not the story.
I can't believe this is my first time reading Damon Runyon. I loved the narrator's voice, the comic twists (which made me think of O'Henry), and the world of the guys and dolls. My favorite story was Princess O'Hara, especially the part where the gang realizes that they have experience in stealing a lot of things like diamonds but no one knows how to steal a horse so they have to go to a rodeo to look for someone with experience.
I will be reading more Runyon in the year to come.
I can't believe this is my first time reading Damon Runyon. I loved the narrator's voice, the comic twists (which made me think of O'Henry), and the world of the guys and dolls. My favorite story was Princess O'Hara, especially the part where the gang realizes that they have experience in stealing a lot of things like diamonds but no one knows how to steal a horse so they have to go to a rodeo to look for someone with experience.
I will be reading more Runyon in the year to come.
January 17, 2018
Yep, very funny!
December 30, 2014
Runyon's tone is unique and delightful. Like Ned Henry, Mattie Ross and other creations of talented writers, his prose has a crispness all its own. Try one of his short stories... when you get the chance.
December 8, 2014
This is just a wonderful collection of stories by the great Damon Runyon. Stories full of dames and mugs and story twists that make each one so much fun. All well written with very distinct characters. Stories take place in New York and two in Miami. These are stories that give you the feel of prohibition and depression amongst the not-so-honest in the wild and wacky world of Damon Runyon.
Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book. 10 of 10 points.
Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book. 10 of 10 points.
Read
November 24, 2009Again, noting better to tuck you in.
November 25, 2009
Dear Madam or Sir:
Despite the absence of my favorites from this Favorites, I own this book and read it with great relish.
V,
V
Despite the absence of my favorites from this Favorites, I own this book and read it with great relish.
V,
V
July 13, 2022
The pros and cons of illiteracy.
The problem with reading the stories penned by this scribe Runyon is that you may commence to speaking like the guy who tells these tales. And I wish to state that speaking in such a manner is apt to get you some very funny looks from such citizens as may be listening to you. Furthermore, if these are such citizens as Harry the Horse or Big Nig the crap shooter or Dave the Dude, these citizens are apt to become cross with you, figuring you to be making fun of them. This will be a very bad thing, indeed, for these are very tough citizens, especially Dave the Dude. The best you will get out of such a proposition is the worst of it. Oh, damn, I'm doing it.
This collection of Runyon's wonderful Broadway stories was published in 1942 and represents the natural desire of short story writers to get as much mileage out of their work as possible. First they sell them to magazines. Then they collect them in a books and sell those books. Then they pick stories from different books and print them in NEW collections. Writing is a tough racket and a smart writer must play all the angles to survive.
The very flattering introduction was written by Broadway columnist Walter Winchell. He was a contemporary of Damon Runyon and appeared in the story "Romance in the Roaring Forties" as newsman Waldo Winchester. Even Winchell's large ego could not have thought that this was a compliment, considering that "Winchester" is not only stupid enough to woo the girl friend of Dave the Dude, but turns out to be married to a very odd female. All I can figure is that Winchell wanted to stay in Runyon's good graces for fear of showing up in an even worse light in future stories.
As to the fourteen stories themselves, all of them are good and some are excellent. I'm puzzled by the title "Favorites", which implies that these are frequently reprinted stories. Some (such as "Butch Minds the Baby") have appeared in numerous collections. "Little Miss Marker" is a classic and was even made into a Shirley Temple movie. In pre-WWII America, that was as good as it got.
But others are more obscure. I've only seen "The Brakeman's Daughter" on one other collection. "Undertaker Song" is likewise a hard Runyon story to locate. Both are fine examples of Runyon's work and I'm happy to find them in this reasonably priced e-book.
I wish I could name my favorite, but they're all too good. For humor mixed with horror (Runyon's specialty) it's hard to beat "A Sense of Humor." No matter how jovial they might seem, none of Runyon's characters take kindly to another dude moving in an their favorite doll. And some were likely to be very offended, indeed. I also love "Bred for Battle" - a boxing story with a surprise ending.
Runyon was a master at combining tragedy with hope. In other words, he wrote about the human condition. As to the cover picture, I'm at a complete loss. The man in the picture is obviously working, something NO ONE in Runyon's stories ever did, even in the direst circumstances. The people who pick cover art NEVER seem to have read the book. All I can say is that someone deserves a good bust in the snoot over this outrage.
The problem with reading the stories penned by this scribe Runyon is that you may commence to speaking like the guy who tells these tales. And I wish to state that speaking in such a manner is apt to get you some very funny looks from such citizens as may be listening to you. Furthermore, if these are such citizens as Harry the Horse or Big Nig the crap shooter or Dave the Dude, these citizens are apt to become cross with you, figuring you to be making fun of them. This will be a very bad thing, indeed, for these are very tough citizens, especially Dave the Dude. The best you will get out of such a proposition is the worst of it. Oh, damn, I'm doing it.
This collection of Runyon's wonderful Broadway stories was published in 1942 and represents the natural desire of short story writers to get as much mileage out of their work as possible. First they sell them to magazines. Then they collect them in a books and sell those books. Then they pick stories from different books and print them in NEW collections. Writing is a tough racket and a smart writer must play all the angles to survive.
The very flattering introduction was written by Broadway columnist Walter Winchell. He was a contemporary of Damon Runyon and appeared in the story "Romance in the Roaring Forties" as newsman Waldo Winchester. Even Winchell's large ego could not have thought that this was a compliment, considering that "Winchester" is not only stupid enough to woo the girl friend of Dave the Dude, but turns out to be married to a very odd female. All I can figure is that Winchell wanted to stay in Runyon's good graces for fear of showing up in an even worse light in future stories.
As to the fourteen stories themselves, all of them are good and some are excellent. I'm puzzled by the title "Favorites", which implies that these are frequently reprinted stories. Some (such as "Butch Minds the Baby") have appeared in numerous collections. "Little Miss Marker" is a classic and was even made into a Shirley Temple movie. In pre-WWII America, that was as good as it got.
But others are more obscure. I've only seen "The Brakeman's Daughter" on one other collection. "Undertaker Song" is likewise a hard Runyon story to locate. Both are fine examples of Runyon's work and I'm happy to find them in this reasonably priced e-book.
I wish I could name my favorite, but they're all too good. For humor mixed with horror (Runyon's specialty) it's hard to beat "A Sense of Humor." No matter how jovial they might seem, none of Runyon's characters take kindly to another dude moving in an their favorite doll. And some were likely to be very offended, indeed. I also love "Bred for Battle" - a boxing story with a surprise ending.
Runyon was a master at combining tragedy with hope. In other words, he wrote about the human condition. As to the cover picture, I'm at a complete loss. The man in the picture is obviously working, something NO ONE in Runyon's stories ever did, even in the direst circumstances. The people who pick cover art NEVER seem to have read the book. All I can say is that someone deserves a good bust in the snoot over this outrage.
May 20, 2021
I cannot think of a writer whose stories are this funny and often sentimental who describes to a tee a way of life that used to exist in New York. If you want to understand what goes on up and down Broadway, there is no better reporter than Runyon. It is a testament to his literary powers, his observational perspicacities, and an outlook on life that combines the cynical with the affectionate described in humor.
Even Walter Winchell spoke of Runyon in the introduction as good an historian as he was a sports writer. That says something, because Winchell said nothing good to say about anyone.
Runyon knows how to write, and he has a way of telling his stories that keep your attention because we can see human naturre at its best and its worst.
If you can't imagine this, just try "Princess O'Hara" which may be my favorite of any of the Runyon stories, including 'Guys and Dolls'. You can't go wrong, but it makes me wish for writers who would write what they see and what they hear in a way that is descriptive, nonjudgmental, and funny.
Runyon is the King.
Even Walter Winchell spoke of Runyon in the introduction as good an historian as he was a sports writer. That says something, because Winchell said nothing good to say about anyone.
Runyon knows how to write, and he has a way of telling his stories that keep your attention because we can see human naturre at its best and its worst.
If you can't imagine this, just try "Princess O'Hara" which may be my favorite of any of the Runyon stories, including 'Guys and Dolls'. You can't go wrong, but it makes me wish for writers who would write what they see and what they hear in a way that is descriptive, nonjudgmental, and funny.
Runyon is the King.
February 27, 2024
A collection of short stories telling of a number of colourful characters. People who may come from the wrong side of the tracks but can still mean well or have a heart of gold.
The names are unusual — Harry the Horse, Big False Face, and Last Card Louie are just a few of the interesting and unique personalities.
Some of the stories may ring a bell — “Madame La Gimp” and Little Miss Marker” are two that became popular movies. “Madame La Gimp” became “Lady For A Day” and won three Oscars. I believe “Little Miss Marker” has been made a movie a couple of times.
Runyon was a top sports/news reporter and went into writing about the characters he met elsewhere in New York City. Comical and written in the rich, colourful style of the 1940s, Runyon gives life to his characters on paper. Descriptions and dialogue take the character from the page to being alive in front of you.
A fun trip back in time to another place.
The names are unusual — Harry the Horse, Big False Face, and Last Card Louie are just a few of the interesting and unique personalities.
Some of the stories may ring a bell — “Madame La Gimp” and Little Miss Marker” are two that became popular movies. “Madame La Gimp” became “Lady For A Day” and won three Oscars. I believe “Little Miss Marker” has been made a movie a couple of times.
Runyon was a top sports/news reporter and went into writing about the characters he met elsewhere in New York City. Comical and written in the rich, colourful style of the 1940s, Runyon gives life to his characters on paper. Descriptions and dialogue take the character from the page to being alive in front of you.
A fun trip back in time to another place.
March 1, 2021
Guys and Dolls and a very special time in our country's history
If you are familiar with the musical "Guys and Dolls" you will love this collection of short stories written by a true American master. If you are not inclined to tolerate our past then you should skip this book.But it will be your loss. Runyon is one of the best at depicting American culture in a truly outlandish and entertaining way.
If you are familiar with the musical "Guys and Dolls" you will love this collection of short stories written by a true American master. If you are not inclined to tolerate our past then you should skip this book.But it will be your loss. Runyon is one of the best at depicting American culture in a truly outlandish and entertaining way.
Read
May 19, 2020Superb storyteller.
Damon Runyon was a writer who know how to tell great stories. His host of characters from his newspaper days are funny, and the endings always have an unexpected twist. The book is well edited and a real joy to read. I just got finished reading this to my wife. She loves Damon Runyon. I love Damon Runyon from Damon Runyon Theater on classic radio.
Damon Runyon was a writer who know how to tell great stories. His host of characters from his newspaper days are funny, and the endings always have an unexpected twist. The book is well edited and a real joy to read. I just got finished reading this to my wife. She loves Damon Runyon. I love Damon Runyon from Damon Runyon Theater on classic radio.
June 10, 2021
It's light and entertaining reading. I had no idea who Damon Runyon was, but his name stuck with me from the lyrics of Alice Cooper's Department of Youth.
There a many colorful characters, mostly criminals or gamblers of one type or another. The overall tone is comedic, and the violence is much tempered by many well meaning characters.
There a many colorful characters, mostly criminals or gamblers of one type or another. The overall tone is comedic, and the violence is much tempered by many well meaning characters.
January 1, 2025
Only Damon Runyon could come up with such outlandish names and wacky plots. If you are in need of entertainment, immerse yourself in the 1920s and '30s in New York and New Jersey with Harry the Horse, Princess O'Hara, Madame La Gimp and the rest of the gang.
I love my 1942 Pocket Book edition, still in great condition.
I love my 1942 Pocket Book edition, still in great condition.
June 3, 2020
Classic Runyon stories, from the Prohibition era, among them a couple which were made into movies: Madame La Gimp, and Little Miss Marker. You have to be in the older age of the reading public to understand some of the language and expressions.
May 15, 2021
I'm sure I'll be reading more Runyon in the future. Short stories, many with O. Henry-type endings. I had forgotten how "Little Miss Marker" ended. Surprised by how matter-of-fact violent some of them were.
July 3, 2021
This sparkling collection of short stories about the guys and dolls of New York showcases Runyon’s way with American English … it begins with “Butch Minds the Baby” and ends up with “Princess O’Hara” … great fun …
July 6, 2020
I haven't had such a fun time reading in a long time. Damon Runyon is such a great story teller. I love Christopher Moore immensely, but he has a new rival for my reading time.
December 2, 2020
I had only seen Damon Runyon via movies like "Guys and Dolls" and I always loved the style of dialogue. The book did not disappoint
June 24, 2021
I would consider this an "introduction" to Runyon and it is a fine collection at that, yet it is light and I would recommend "Guys & Dolls and other writing" as a more complete gauge of the master
May 30, 2024
Fantastic book, hillarous
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews