Honest, Abe: Is there really no business like show business?

by Abe Burrows

In 1980, Abe Burrows published his memoir, Honest, Is There Really No Business Like Show Business?, in which he recalls the meat of his career, including his mentoring of several comedy writers including future M*A*S*H writer Larry Gelbart (who was once a Duffy's Tavern writer), Nat Hiken, Dick Martin and Woody Allen, the latter a distant cousin of Burrows'.

369 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from my shelf of theatre books because I hadn't read a good show business memoir in way too long (unless you count my last book, MODOC, about the renowned circus perfomer!). This came from my dad's library--he'd been a friend of the author's brother. I knew Abe Burrows as the librettist for "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," but I had no idea he had such a varied career: co-creator of "Duffy's Tavern" on radio, panelist on early-TV quiz shows, director, show doctor, playwright, and co-creator of "Can-Can" and "Silk Stockings." He worked with the best: George Kaufman, Frank Loesser, Rudy Vallee, Cole Porter, Gwen Verdon, Robert Morse... has nothing but good things to say about everyone he collaborated with (there are a couple of exceptions whom he allows to remain nameless)--even David Merrick and Harry Cohn! Burrows could get along with anybody which you'd think would make for a snoozefest, but instead just allows his story to be, like his career, colorful and busy and inclusive of everyone in the business from stage doorman to Hollywood producer. This really goes back to the early days of entertainment: lots of Golden Age Broadway names, classic comedy writers, and vaudeville performers who are now sadly lost to time. Imagine the blank stare you'd get from anyone under 60 if you mentioned Shirley Booth or Robert Benchley or Sam Levene! But younger people in the business--according to a funny-sad tirade on Julie Halston's YouTube show by Mario Cantone--aren't interested in anyone from back then. This should be required reading for aspiring professionals and Broadway buffs (the prices of tickets back then?! OMG--55 cents to see Fred Astaire in "The Gay Divorce"!).

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great look at a life in showbusiness from a man who seems to have done quite a bit in his day. It made me nostalgic for a time where popular entertainment could be witty and well liked. I expected this to be much more focused on Burrows' Broadway career (the only thing I know him from), but the majority of the book dealt with his time spent in radio and television. Still, a worthy read for any theater person, as the coverage of "How to Succeed" is extensive.