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Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge: The Autobiography of Hollywood's Most Prolific Funnyman
REVISED AND EXPANDED AND BESSER THAN EVER!
WITH 425 NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATIONS For more than six decades, Joe Besser brought gales of laughter to millions—in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio, in motion pictures, and on television. From his days working as a bumbling assistant to the world-famous Thurston the Magician, he carved out success with his own act—that of a childlike sissy who brandished his foils with a flick of the wrist and such hilarious verbal assaults as “Ooh, you crazy you!” and “Not so f-a-s-t!” From stage to film and television screens, the famed roly-poly comedian left an indelible mark–from starring in his own feature films and short-subject series for Columbia Pictures, to dishing out huge laughs on scores of popular programs of the day, most notably as the malevolent brat “Stinky” on The Abbott and Costello Show , to stepping in to replace Shemp Howard after his death as a member of Three Stooges comedy team. Followed by countless more laugh out-loud performances in movies and on television, from playing the frustrated superintendent, Jillson, on The Joey Bishop Show to voicing Saturday morning cartoons, his legacy still lives on today, thanks to reruns of his classic work. Illustrating a passing age of American humor, ONCE A STOOGE, ALWAYS A STOOGE tells the whole story. Jam-packed with timeless remembrances, Besser vividly recounts it all–the personal ups and downs, the classic skits and routines that became his hallmark, and behind-the-scenes stories of show business icons who enriched his life and career, including Abbott and Costello, Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Olsen and Johnson, and many others. This thoroughly revised and expanded edition contains scores of previously unpublished anecdotes and material throughout, including hundreds of new, many rare and one-of-a-kind illustrations and extensive appendices of the legendary funnyman’s stage, film, radio and TV appearances, that round out this charming, thoughtfully written, fully updated and expanded memoir. PRAISE FOR THE ORIGINAL “An affectionate, thoroughly enjoyable remembrance of a lifetime spent on the road and on the screen.” LOS ANGELES TIMES “A fascinating look at the development of American entertainment from a person who managed to experience it all . . .” PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
WITH 425 NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATIONS For more than six decades, Joe Besser brought gales of laughter to millions—in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio, in motion pictures, and on television. From his days working as a bumbling assistant to the world-famous Thurston the Magician, he carved out success with his own act—that of a childlike sissy who brandished his foils with a flick of the wrist and such hilarious verbal assaults as “Ooh, you crazy you!” and “Not so f-a-s-t!” From stage to film and television screens, the famed roly-poly comedian left an indelible mark–from starring in his own feature films and short-subject series for Columbia Pictures, to dishing out huge laughs on scores of popular programs of the day, most notably as the malevolent brat “Stinky” on The Abbott and Costello Show , to stepping in to replace Shemp Howard after his death as a member of Three Stooges comedy team. Followed by countless more laugh out-loud performances in movies and on television, from playing the frustrated superintendent, Jillson, on The Joey Bishop Show to voicing Saturday morning cartoons, his legacy still lives on today, thanks to reruns of his classic work. Illustrating a passing age of American humor, ONCE A STOOGE, ALWAYS A STOOGE tells the whole story. Jam-packed with timeless remembrances, Besser vividly recounts it all–the personal ups and downs, the classic skits and routines that became his hallmark, and behind-the-scenes stories of show business icons who enriched his life and career, including Abbott and Costello, Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Olsen and Johnson, and many others. This thoroughly revised and expanded edition contains scores of previously unpublished anecdotes and material throughout, including hundreds of new, many rare and one-of-a-kind illustrations and extensive appendices of the legendary funnyman’s stage, film, radio and TV appearances, that round out this charming, thoughtfully written, fully updated and expanded memoir. PRAISE FOR THE ORIGINAL “An affectionate, thoroughly enjoyable remembrance of a lifetime spent on the road and on the screen.” LOS ANGELES TIMES “A fascinating look at the development of American entertainment from a person who managed to experience it all . . .” PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
408 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2023
I loved reading this book. As a kid I became a fan of Joe Besser. From seeing him as one of The Three Stooges at Saturday matinee's in my local movie theater, to watching him on TV in the Joey Bishop Show and in many other comedy series I was always a fan. Reading the book was like having a conversation with Joe. I could hear his voice as I read the book. I received it as a Christmas gift this year and finished it in three days. It was sad though, because I know he had passed on quite a while ago, so finishing the book was kind of sad knowing that voice has been silenced. The title may say "..always a Stooge" but he was so much more. The book is a history of vaudeville, early TV and the Three Stooges. All in all I give this a five star rating.
December 27, 2020
Joe Besser was one of the funniest men in movies. The book is both funny and uplifting with many of his routines still intact. Had fun with this one!
November 28, 2023
Joe Besser's "Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge: The Autobiography of Hollywood's Most Prolific Funnyman" is a fast, easy read. I enjoyed it. Besser tells his well and he fills it with a ton of pictures. Besser seems like a nice guy and he doesn't have any axe to grind. His career went from vaudeville to Saturday morning cartoons. That must be some kind of a record. (This book was originally published as "Not Just a Stooge".)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews