A Gift of Laughter: The Autobiography of Allan Sherman

by Allan Sherman

Want to know how to become an overnight success? ...in only 38 years??? "A Gift of Laughter", the autobiography of comedian Allan Sherman, tells in his own words how he became an overnight success in only 38 years. First he struggled as a free-lance writer. Later he produced television shows like the long-running hit "I've Got a Secret" (which he co-created). Then, on one fateful night, after picking up his unemployment check, he recorded an album of parodies called "My Son, the Folk Singer", which sold over one million copies, and became the fastest-selling album of all time. His next two albums also became smash hits, making him the only artist ever to have three consecutive Billboard #1 albums. His third album, "My Son, the Nut" contained the hit single "Hello, Muddah! Hello, Fadduh! - A Letter from Camp Granada" -- a summer camp anthem which is still being sung 50+ years later. Sherman sang at Carnegie Hall - twice! And the Hollywood Bowl - twice! He guest-hosted The Tonight Show, performed with and conducted The Boston Pops (notable because he can't read music ), entertained Presidents and Supreme Court Justices and millions of regular folk.

Genres: Music

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up in England my only contact with Allan Sherman's work was his song "Ello Mudder. . . .". So I chose to read this biography hoping to get a better sense of American media entertainment in the fifties and sixties and perhaps make me better understand American "humor" which is very different from British humour. As such the book was quite edifying. However, as with so many biographies of show business stars there was a monotonous amount of name dropping, 90% of which was quite meaningless to me and totally unnecessary, and Mr Shermann's insistence on repeating the words of nearly all his songs was, in my mind, a waste of space. Yes, the author has an enviable wit but the book failed to fascinate me, although I did give it every chance to do so, as I ploughed doggedly through to the end. Sorry, Allan!

[stormhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, a Gift of Laughter

My childhood was full of music. My mother was a classically trained singer. Our home had a grand piano and a stereo system that was wired to be heard through the whole house. And the very first record that I ever asked for was Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah. Being able to learn about Allan Sherman, his career before the songs I knew so well, his friends, his family, was a joy. He writes with a borscht belt sensibility, and leaves the reader laughing, as promised.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now everybody repeat after me: " Hello muddah, hello faddah"
This is what a show business memoir should be: funny, well paced, crazy childhood, crazy relatives, famous names dropped, the triumphs, the disasters, the overwhelming triumph (and we're left waiting for the other shoe to drop.) Sherman is a self confessed yo yo on a roller coaster who eats too much, drinks way too much, and brings us along for the ride.
But what gives it the 4 1/2 stars that you don't see, is the way he bookends his story with a love letter to Harpo Marx. Lovely, just lovely.

[Sally Ann Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughter as well as heartfelt and generously shared life lessons

A childhood staple for me, the songs of Allan Sherman. In this autobiography, he shares his pain and his triumphs. And all the magic and hilarity of his never-boring life. Thank you for the laughter, Allan. Rest in peace.

[L B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me so sad to know that after writing this autobiography and talking so much about how much he loves his wife, in fact they divorced a year later.