Movie Comedians of the 1950s
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The examination of 1950s film clowns suggestions this decade was the 20th century's most volatile for the genre. Besides McCarthyism and TV and their potential for the dumbing down of pictures, this was the first decade when all major screen clowns were not so easily pigeonholed as comedians. Plus, the text contests the era's phrase ""dumb blondes"" as it applies to Judy Holliday and Marilyn Monroe. It also iconoclastically deflates the significance of Jerry Lewis in order to better celebrate the neglected early comic gifts of Dean Martin. Moreover, it provides the most insightful look at the decades most important neglected director of personality comedians - Frank Tashlin. Finally, the book is a telling look at the 20th century's greatest entertainer - Bob Hope. Ultimately, Movie Film Clowns of the 1950s is a decoder ring to a misunderstood decade.
Wes D. Gehring is a distinguished professor of film at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine, for which he also writes the column ""Reel World."" He is the author of 35 film-related books, including award-winning biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, Red Skelton and Charlie Chaplin.