This site started out as a way for me to share sample chapters of upcoming books (please read some of my other blogs), but has morphed into my take on what is going on in the world today. I welcome your comments.
This is great! And on the same note, did you know that WC Fields was a juggler? And in my opinion, he was the greatest American comedian of the 20th century, very different from the smarmy kind of supercilious, mean-spirited, faux "wit" of the mediocrity named Woody Allen and the dime-a-dozen hacks of his kind.
Here is a clip of WC Fields juggling in 1934, when he was in his 50s:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5M ZWq14uD-A
But I think Groucho Marx comes a close second to WC Fields. Here is my favourite performance by America's second-greatest comedy genius, Groucho Marx:
PS, after reviewing those two clips, I change my opinion. WC Fields was the second greatest American comedian of the 20th century. But the gold medal goes to Groucho Marx. (See the clip of him singing and dancing "Lydia the Tattooed Lady", and you'll see what I mean.)
In the pantheon of Comedians, Groucho Marx will have an eternal rank equal to Julius Ceasar's rank among warriors. Groucho Marx is the Julius Caesar of comedians, and all Americans ought to be proud of that!
Here's that Grouch Marx link, again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4zRe_wvJw8
Genius, and not just genius, but the kind of genius which is full of love of life!
Dear Isabel,
ReplyDeleteThis is great! And on the same note, did you know that WC Fields was a juggler? And in my opinion, he was the greatest American comedian of the 20th century, very different from the smarmy kind of supercilious, mean-spirited, faux "wit" of the mediocrity named Woody Allen and the dime-a-dozen hacks of his kind.
Here is a clip of WC Fields juggling in 1934, when he was in his 50s:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5M
ZWq14uD-A
But I think Groucho Marx comes a close second to WC Fields. Here is my favourite performance by America's second-greatest comedy genius, Groucho Marx:
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=n4zRe_wvJw8
PS, after reviewing those two clips, I change my opinion. WC Fields was the second greatest American comedian of the 20th century. But the gold medal goes to Groucho Marx. (See the clip of him singing and dancing "Lydia the Tattooed Lady", and you'll see what I mean.)
ReplyDeleteIn the pantheon of Comedians, Groucho Marx will have an eternal rank equal to Julius Ceasar's rank among warriors. Groucho Marx is the Julius Caesar of comedians, and all Americans ought to be proud of that!
Here's that Grouch Marx link, again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4zRe_wvJw8
Genius, and not just genius, but the kind of genius which is full of
love of life!
PPS, and here is Groucho performing the same song when he was a very old man. This performance, to me, is sweeter than any ambrosia:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=-WB-T0Ill08