Say Goodnight, Gracie!: The Story of George Burns & Gracie Allen

by Cheryl Blythe, Cheryl Blythe

"Say Goodnight, Gracie!" is a nostalgic look at one of American's favorite television shows: "The Burns & Allen Show." Beginning with George Burns and Gracie Allen's first meeting in 1922 backstage, after one of George's vaudeville acts, "Say Goodnight, Gracie!" follows the careers of two of the best-loved comedians of all time: the beginning of their own vaudeville act together; the radio show that launched them both as stars; and the wildly popular television show (conceived in 1950) that put them into the homes of millions.

This book is a comprehensive ‘backstage look’ at the making of this historic TV show – how the writers contrived that delicious misinterpretation of Gracie’s world; the real Gracie and George vs. the characters they play; and an early look at broadcast television - kinescopes, then the coaxial cable – and loaded with George’s comedic wisdom and dialog from the series!

The comedy is timeless. The genius behind the show may have been George Burns, who played the "straight man," but the one who got the laughs was Gracie, whose "illogical logic" made the show catch on like wildfire.

Genres: Biography, Humor, Nonfiction, Tv, History, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1986

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Burns and Allen! Though it is a little sad that this book is talking about George in present tense, it is a great insight into their creative process and life as a married couple. The content is wonderful, the writing style is not my favorite.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very sweet and funny, the only reason it wasn't five stars was because I was hoping for a little bit more of their early life and careers, but this book spends the bulk of the time analyzing (for lack of a better term) their television show.

[Rick Rapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice reflection on a great pairing both on and off stage.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this brought back some great memories. George Burns, Gracie Allen, Jack Benny and others are all are names I heard a lot growing up. I remember their tv shows in the late 50s and 60s, and the movies Burns appeared in over the following three decades. Before they took their show to television, it was popular on radio, and before that, as early as the 20s, they were vaudeville stars. A hundred years ago - that's mind-boggling! This book covers the years of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show on television from 1952-1958. Full of great stories from their work and personal lives, it's a lot of fun to read, an interesting look at the production of a show in television's early days, and a most agreeable walk down memory lane.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short history of George Burns and Gracie Allen and their career(s). I think I read this many years ago, and it can be noted that some of it must have stuck because I once knew a baby named Grace and I always had a private chuckle out of telling her to say goodnight. Perhaps it would have been a more interesting read if I have ever seen the show... I'll have to work on that.

[pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more tv shows like this now. Just plain funny and not raunchy like shows now.

[Elaine Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved this show. We need more books about this classic.

[Debra]

A funny memoir about the lives of George Burns and Gracie Allen.

[Tim Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

very moving book