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A Talent for Genius: the Life and Times of Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant was the Amadeus of Hollywood, the Oscar Wilde of Broadway -- and the most wildly self-destructive personality ever to become a household name. An astonishingly gifted concert pianist, composer, film and stage presence, radio and television raconteur, insult wit, and bestselling author, Levant steered a maniacally masochistic course through seven glorious decades. His death in 1972, at the age of 65, left the entertainment community shocked -- largely with amazement that a four-pack-a-day smoker with a history of drug abuse and mental illness had lasted as long as Levant did. He made a national reputation for himself in the late '30s as a brash, brilliant 'expert' on radio's famed quiz show 'Information, Please!', and as a fine concert pianist and the premier interpreter of George Gershwin's concert works. He appeared in 13 films, usually as a best friend/'Oscar Levant' type. He played Gene Kelly's sidekick in 'An American in Paris' and a lovable hypochondriac in 'The Band Wagon,' and in the film biography 'Rhapsody in Blue,' he literally played himself: Oscar Levant, best friend to George Gershwin, a role he knew all too well.
His hero worship of Gershwin stunted his confidence as a songwriter and a serious composer, though one of his pop songs, 'Blame It on My Youth,' has become a standard, and Arnold Schoenberg, Aaron Copeland, and Virgil Thomson all thought Levant an immensely gifted composer. Levant's addiction to Demerol following a heart attack in the early '50s led to nearly a decade of drug dependency. Already hobbled by complex superstitions meant to ward off the terrors of performing, Levant was almost destroyed by his addictions. But his intense neurosis didn't keep him from appearing on television to talk about it. His uncensored comments on 'The Jack Paar Show' and on his own local Los Angeles talk show made national news.A Talent for Genius, the result of exhausting research and hundreds of hours of interviews, is a profoundly revelation.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 14, 2016
The authors of 'A Talent for Genius' do a rip roaring job of extensively unloading the very interesting life of Oscar Levant. Probably anyone who does not know of Levant would wonder why anyone would read 431 pages about an obscure wit. Those people should not read this book. I'll go so far to add those who remember him fondly should read, at least, one of Levant's book prior to reading this book.
This is a terrific biography! One of the best things of this book is that the reader can always know when they are in time. Dates and tears are often detailed and even other goings on at the time to further help the reader follow the Levant story. That becomes very important as nearly every year is covered and following Levant's schedules are critical to understand why and how his life comes apart.
I admire the work of recording Levant's early life. Most biographies leave that to a chapter or so and move one. This one does an outstanding job of placing the reader in the setting. All of which becomes important again later in his story.
As I'm most interested in Levant's interaction with the brilliant wits of his time, I was very pleased with how much is covered of the Algonquin Round Table gang. Even better to read of stories of the gang I had never read before. Loved the writers balance of what Levant actions were and then the reactions of the affected. This is especially true of covering the Gershwin parts. There are many perspectives covered. All very enlightening.
The authors then go out of their way to write out the blow by blow story of Levant and his drug addiction and deterioration of his mental health. It's riveting, though a bit clunky at times. I get the idea that editing this part was difficult with so much coming and going and coming and going.
There are a few dozen photographs included. Wish there had been more. Also with the outcome of the rest of the Levant family had been included. I know daughter Marcia died young and wonder if Levant's troubles transferred to his children. History and from what i have read and experienced it typical does.
Bottom line: For those familiar with Levant- This is a book you must read. For those unfamiliar: Study first! 9 out of ten points.
Overall this is a terrific work with obvious evidence of tremendous work.
This is a terrific biography! One of the best things of this book is that the reader can always know when they are in time. Dates and tears are often detailed and even other goings on at the time to further help the reader follow the Levant story. That becomes very important as nearly every year is covered and following Levant's schedules are critical to understand why and how his life comes apart.
I admire the work of recording Levant's early life. Most biographies leave that to a chapter or so and move one. This one does an outstanding job of placing the reader in the setting. All of which becomes important again later in his story.
As I'm most interested in Levant's interaction with the brilliant wits of his time, I was very pleased with how much is covered of the Algonquin Round Table gang. Even better to read of stories of the gang I had never read before. Loved the writers balance of what Levant actions were and then the reactions of the affected. This is especially true of covering the Gershwin parts. There are many perspectives covered. All very enlightening.
The authors then go out of their way to write out the blow by blow story of Levant and his drug addiction and deterioration of his mental health. It's riveting, though a bit clunky at times. I get the idea that editing this part was difficult with so much coming and going and coming and going.
There are a few dozen photographs included. Wish there had been more. Also with the outcome of the rest of the Levant family had been included. I know daughter Marcia died young and wonder if Levant's troubles transferred to his children. History and from what i have read and experienced it typical does.
Bottom line: For those familiar with Levant- This is a book you must read. For those unfamiliar: Study first! 9 out of ten points.
Overall this is a terrific work with obvious evidence of tremendous work.
February 10, 2015
One of the best biographies I've ever read: thorough, balanced, and compelling. I have always loved Oscar Levant, and this work does him justice.
January 28, 2016
Added 9/6/09. Read in January 2016.
It took me over six years to get around to reading this book. I'm glad that I had saved it on my "To Read" shelf. I re-discovered it while I was looking around for something to read.
This is a compelling biography about pianist, wit, and performer, Oscar Levant. He suffered from many anxieties which prevented him from fulfilling all his potential but, as the bio shows, he was quite an accomplished musician, performer and wit. He's noted for his witticisms and the book is full of them. There's a witticism at the beginning of each chapter. The book's many anecdotes about his life, and the famous people he socialized with, kept me reading right to the end.
Levant loved the music of George Gershwin and one of the piano recordings he is famous for is Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Levant also performed the music of many famous classical composers. I was surprised to see how many classical performances he gave. My own knowledge about him was limited to his role as a piano-playing side-kick in the movies years ago, but he was involved in much more, including many radio shows in which showed himself to be extremely knowledgeable.
Levant's cynical witticisms are now famous. They are amazingly clever, most of them probably said right off the top of his head. That's how his mind worked. Many of his sayings are self-deprecating. His anxieties led to his addiction to anxiety-relieving pills. He was in and out of institutions but he kept on going, spending many hours practicing for his piano performances.
This book is an excellent look at a man who wasn't fully appreciated while he lived. The book shines a light on him so that he may be remembered and fully appreciated in the future. FIVE STARS!
They should make a movie about him, but who could play such a part?
Below are a couple of links to many of his quotes:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quot...
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/aut...
Examples:
“I was once thrown out of a mental hospital for depressing the other patients.”
“It's not what you are, it's what you don't become that hurts.”
“You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. (Oscar trying to talk his way out of a speeding ticket)”
"I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself."
"I think a lot of Bernstein - but not as much as he does."
His quotes are like peanuts. You can't get enough of them because they're so very clever.
PS-The Goodreads description of this book is excellent. Very thorough. See it at:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
It took me over six years to get around to reading this book. I'm glad that I had saved it on my "To Read" shelf. I re-discovered it while I was looking around for something to read.
This is a compelling biography about pianist, wit, and performer, Oscar Levant. He suffered from many anxieties which prevented him from fulfilling all his potential but, as the bio shows, he was quite an accomplished musician, performer and wit. He's noted for his witticisms and the book is full of them. There's a witticism at the beginning of each chapter. The book's many anecdotes about his life, and the famous people he socialized with, kept me reading right to the end.
Levant loved the music of George Gershwin and one of the piano recordings he is famous for is Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Levant also performed the music of many famous classical composers. I was surprised to see how many classical performances he gave. My own knowledge about him was limited to his role as a piano-playing side-kick in the movies years ago, but he was involved in much more, including many radio shows in which showed himself to be extremely knowledgeable.
Levant's cynical witticisms are now famous. They are amazingly clever, most of them probably said right off the top of his head. That's how his mind worked. Many of his sayings are self-deprecating. His anxieties led to his addiction to anxiety-relieving pills. He was in and out of institutions but he kept on going, spending many hours practicing for his piano performances.
This book is an excellent look at a man who wasn't fully appreciated while he lived. The book shines a light on him so that he may be remembered and fully appreciated in the future. FIVE STARS!
They should make a movie about him, but who could play such a part?
Below are a couple of links to many of his quotes:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quot...
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/aut...
Examples:
“I was once thrown out of a mental hospital for depressing the other patients.”
“It's not what you are, it's what you don't become that hurts.”
“You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. (Oscar trying to talk his way out of a speeding ticket)”
"I've given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself."
"I think a lot of Bernstein - but not as much as he does."
His quotes are like peanuts. You can't get enough of them because they're so very clever.
PS-The Goodreads description of this book is excellent. Very thorough. See it at:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
February 7, 2020
Oscar Levant is immortalized in several classic movies like An American in Paris, The Band Wagon and The Barkleys of Broadway. He was a pianist best known for his interpretations of Gershwin's material. He also had a following for his wit and displayed his talents on radio programs like Information Please and The Kraft Music Hall. Although he had widespread fame in his lifetime, he is known today as a periphery figure in the lives of bigger stars. This biography shines a light on a fascinating and unusual man.
The writing is excellent. There are a plethora of facts but they’re presented in a conversational way peppered with personal stories and quotes that make you feel like you were there. The chapters are short and make this hefty book easy to take in.
There are also a lot of laughs to be had. Levant was best known as a wit, and the many examples enhance the appeal of this book. I love that he called his ex-wife on her wedding night with a new man, the owner of Lowe's theater chain, to ask what time the picture was playing.
From Kraft Music Hall: “Al please don’t leave me out. I know that sometimes I unintentionally blurt out something nasty that I laid awake the night before thinking up, but I want to play for you more than anything.” I think this joke from his radio show where he played second banana to the immortal Al Jolson is representative of Levant, insecure, covering it with humor, and ultimately best expressed through his music.
Goodnight Oscar Levant, wherever you are.
The writing is excellent. There are a plethora of facts but they’re presented in a conversational way peppered with personal stories and quotes that make you feel like you were there. The chapters are short and make this hefty book easy to take in.
There are also a lot of laughs to be had. Levant was best known as a wit, and the many examples enhance the appeal of this book. I love that he called his ex-wife on her wedding night with a new man, the owner of Lowe's theater chain, to ask what time the picture was playing.
From Kraft Music Hall: “Al please don’t leave me out. I know that sometimes I unintentionally blurt out something nasty that I laid awake the night before thinking up, but I want to play for you more than anything.” I think this joke from his radio show where he played second banana to the immortal Al Jolson is representative of Levant, insecure, covering it with humor, and ultimately best expressed through his music.
Goodnight Oscar Levant, wherever you are.
January 6, 2020
Comprehensive, amusing, a spur to many memories, and a source of inspiration for further research (and thank you, YouTube). But ultimately very sad — Levant was tortured.
Several years ago I read all three of Levant's books:
--"A Smattering of Ignorance" -- essays on music, including great material on Gershwin; written before Levant's acting career
--"Memoirs of an Amnesic" -- his life up to about 1963, including very funny material about his time in an insane asylum. Overall, a bit sad
--"The Unimportance of Being Oscar" -- some memoir, some reflections on people he knew
If one is interested in Oscar, one should read those books as well as Kashner's biography, which in some places has few sources other than Oscar's own writing.
Several years ago I read all three of Levant's books:
--"A Smattering of Ignorance" -- essays on music, including great material on Gershwin; written before Levant's acting career
--"Memoirs of an Amnesic" -- his life up to about 1963, including very funny material about his time in an insane asylum. Overall, a bit sad
--"The Unimportance of Being Oscar" -- some memoir, some reflections on people he knew
If one is interested in Oscar, one should read those books as well as Kashner's biography, which in some places has few sources other than Oscar's own writing.
March 16, 2015
I'm nearly 66 and I well remember talk and talk about Oscar Levant while we lived in New York.
The way he grew up, the burdens he bore,the messes he created, the people with whom he lived and partied, the hopes and dreams and travels and travails, the music he played and wrote and orchestrated, his presence on TV and radio and in movies, his devotion and obsessions and addictions and recoveries and the scope of Kashner's and Schoenberger's research - amazing and riveting.
My father often said he wished he could be as acerbic and clever and talented as Oscar Levant.
To have known the people he did, to have hurt those he loved, to have the command of language and music without much "formal" education - amazing.
So much that the authors capture about all those who were part of Levant's constellation and so much about the culture and times during his life.
One of the finest biographies I've read.
The way he grew up, the burdens he bore,the messes he created, the people with whom he lived and partied, the hopes and dreams and travels and travails, the music he played and wrote and orchestrated, his presence on TV and radio and in movies, his devotion and obsessions and addictions and recoveries and the scope of Kashner's and Schoenberger's research - amazing and riveting.
My father often said he wished he could be as acerbic and clever and talented as Oscar Levant.
To have known the people he did, to have hurt those he loved, to have the command of language and music without much "formal" education - amazing.
So much that the authors capture about all those who were part of Levant's constellation and so much about the culture and times during his life.
One of the finest biographies I've read.
February 22, 2011
I first learned of Oscar Levant in Harpo Speaks!, which led to me reading Oscar's first book, A Smattering of Ignorance (one of the greatest titles ever, by the way). After all of this, I was totally intrigued by the man, and so immediately checked A Talent for Genius out of the library.
It's a well-written and engrossing biography about a fascinating figure, written with a good deal of empathy. It can be hard to find a well-balanced biography- I find that they are often either hostile or defensive, neither of which makes for a good book. This book, however, managed to find the golden mean of biographies, and so was both enjoyable and informative.
It's a well-written and engrossing biography about a fascinating figure, written with a good deal of empathy. It can be hard to find a well-balanced biography- I find that they are often either hostile or defensive, neither of which makes for a good book. This book, however, managed to find the golden mean of biographies, and so was both enjoyable and informative.
September 5, 2009
Oscar Levant's Biography is a great read on a great "man about town."
Quotes:
Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel.
I am no more humble than my talents require.
I can remember Doris Day before she was a virgin.
I don't drink. I don't like it. It makes me feel good.
I envy people who drink - at least they know what to blame everything on.
I think a lot of Bernstein - but not as much as he does.
I'm a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy.
Schizophrenia beats dining alone.
There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.
Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character.
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.
Quotes:
Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel.
I am no more humble than my talents require.
I can remember Doris Day before she was a virgin.
I don't drink. I don't like it. It makes me feel good.
I envy people who drink - at least they know what to blame everything on.
I think a lot of Bernstein - but not as much as he does.
I'm a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy.
Schizophrenia beats dining alone.
There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.
Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character.
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.
January 15, 2019
This is one of the best biographies I've ever read. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. I have been an Oscar fan for a long time and he is by far my favorite pianist. This book, even through moments of sadness, is smart and witty, just like Oscar Levant.
September 21, 2020
At one point in this book, Levant's star threatens to eclipse Charlie Chaplin's triumphant return to the United States after exile. THAT is how big a star this self-destructive, neurotic, OCD-plagued, cynical, cruel drug addict was. This book does quite a fine job of explaining how it came to be, getting to the core of his undeniable genius and taking you on a tour of American entertainment from the 20s to the 70s to boot.
Maybe it struggles a little when it tries to wrap Levant up in a nice clean package, but then again, so did he.
Maybe it struggles a little when it tries to wrap Levant up in a nice clean package, but then again, so did he.
April 17, 2024
I’ve had this book on my shelf for some 30 years and planned to read it and now I finally have. I have always admired Oscar Levant and this book brings him to life on the page which is the best kind of biography.
November 30, 2021
Excellent biography of a fascinating person.
June 9, 2023
A fascinating look at an extraordinary talent. I saw Goodnight Oscar on Broadway and was interested in learning more about Oscar Levant. What a life!
June 19, 2023
Great bio. One of the few books in my life where I continually laughed out loud.
May 1, 2017
I've read many very well-written biographies about many different people - one I remember is Elsa Lanchester's, "Elsa Lanchester Herself".
I read this book about Oscar Levant shortly after it was released in 2005 and know I will read it again. "A Talent For Genius: The Life and Times of Oscar Levant" left me almost spellbound. I had always liked, enjoyed, and admired Oscar Levant, and this biography is, by far, the best I've read. Many of my much younger friends may not have heard of Oscar Levant, but to anyone, I highly recommend this book. Levant struggled greatly his whole life, beginning with a very controlling and mean father, (because of his father, he never felt he was good enough), but his musical talent, in my opinion, even surpassed that of his best friend, George Gershwin. He was extremely adept with humor, as well, - my favorite quote of his is - "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin". I liked and appreciated Levant well-enough before I read this book, and after reading it I had the pleasure to know him and of his life and talents more deeply. I applaud Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger for this superlative effort.
I read this book about Oscar Levant shortly after it was released in 2005 and know I will read it again. "A Talent For Genius: The Life and Times of Oscar Levant" left me almost spellbound. I had always liked, enjoyed, and admired Oscar Levant, and this biography is, by far, the best I've read. Many of my much younger friends may not have heard of Oscar Levant, but to anyone, I highly recommend this book. Levant struggled greatly his whole life, beginning with a very controlling and mean father, (because of his father, he never felt he was good enough), but his musical talent, in my opinion, even surpassed that of his best friend, George Gershwin. He was extremely adept with humor, as well, - my favorite quote of his is - "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin". I liked and appreciated Levant well-enough before I read this book, and after reading it I had the pleasure to know him and of his life and talents more deeply. I applaud Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger for this superlative effort.
January 28, 2008
A great biography on the 'Oscar Wilde' of Broadway/Manhattan. The pil addicted wit had a sharp mouth as well as being a talented piano player. Famous for going over to new friend Harpo Marx's house for dinner and not leaving for months, sounded like a nightmare of a man to know - yet hysterical. Everything said outside his mouth was quotable and he was truly one-of-a-kind figure in the showbiz world of Broadway and Hollywood.
December 31, 2023
Kashner and Schoenberger masterfully present a balanced portrait of one of the 20th century's most complex artists. Their collaborative writing flows beautifully into a single voice. Amazingly versatile, deeply troubled, Levant embraces and disturbs the reader in all his varied colors. Rarely have I read such a beautifully written and engaging biography based on scholarly research and journalistic acumen. I have no doubt I'll revisit A Talent for Genius.
January 25, 2008
Oscar Levant was this weird, quirky eccentric who hung out with people like George Gershwin in the 1930s. This book really shows just how weird, quirky, and eccentric he really was. It's a fascinating look into a man who felt the pressure of being who he was and often times let that pressure win.
October 29, 2009
A raw portrait of a troubled near-genius musician. I found it riveting.
July 23, 2012
An amazing biography of the tortured Levant. Funny and sad.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews