David Merrick: The Abominable Showman: The Unauthorized Biography

by Howard Kissel

David Merrick is the most astonishing showman of our time, and perhaps of all time. No other producer, not even Florenz Ziegfeld nor the combined lights of the Shubert brothers, has equalled his percentage of hits or his demonic flair for publicity. In this first-ever biography, Howard Kissel from his decade-long investigation reveals the man, the mask, and the myth of David Merrick. The charismatic and reclusive mogul emerges as a Broadway version of Howard Hughes, with his own panoply of eccentricities, genius and neuroses. Merrick's much publicized and oftentimes staged battles and feuds are re-ignited here full force with such major personalities as Barbra Streisand, Jackie Gleason, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Woody Allen, Peter Ustinov, Andy Griffith, Anthony Newley, Peter Brook, and Carol Channing. Over a hundred interviews with the major players in Merrick's drama – from his pre-Merrick St. Louis childhood as David Margoulies to his latest divorce – has yielded the first serious interrogation of a life that until now has been the sole creation of Merrick's own invention and press wizardry.

Genres: Biography, Theatre, Nonfiction

576 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject could scarcely be more fascinating: a rags-to-riches climber who wished to leave behind his empty-pocketed past, his Jewish heritage and even the first wife whose money allowed him to make a break for the big time (though she remained legally wed to him longer than any of her subsequent replacements.) The book itself is pretty thorough if not entirely insightful. It relishes in repeating the many deliberately nasty things Merrick did during his lengthy career as a Broadway (and sometimes film) producer, some of which are mid-bogglingly petty, hurtful and cruel. However, we don't ever really get to know what made Merrick tick. Still, for those who enjoy reading about all the movers and shakers of the classic Great White Way and who like getting the lowdown on who got along with (or especially who didn't get along with) Merrick and others, it's an engrossing read. The book was probably hampered by the fact that its subject was still alive at the time it was printed. Even the author notes that some interviewees were reluctant to speak out against Merrick (who was still producing then, but in a far less successful manner than in his glory days) while he was still breathing. The man appeared to just enjoy existing in turmoil and animosity-ridden chaos! Every great once in a while, he'd do something thoughtful, surprising everyone, but more often it was a treadmill of meanness that would startle even Leona Helmsley. Worth reading, too, for its historical value of the famous plays produced.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge Broadway fan, I just had read this unauthorized biography of one of the foremost and mostly successful producers on The Great White Way (he also dabbled in movies as well.) But the hardest part about reading this well researched bio, is trying to find some redeeming value in David Merrick, the man (spoiler alert - there is very little!) The subtitle "The Abominable Showman" is apropos, Merrick's behavior is vain, selfish and all too often incredibly cruel. Sometimes I found myself thinking that the cruelty was the point. (What type of person would actually close one performance of his own show just to prevent his own girlfriend from appearing in the lead role for which she was understudy?) You come away wondering why creative geniuses (like Jerry Herman, Jule Style, Stephen Sondheim) even agreed to work with him. Nonetheless, I'm very glad I read this. It gives a great deal of insight into the business side of Broadway as well as the creative process. It's also a rags to riches story about an unhappy midwestern Jewish kid who tries to erase any relationship with his past while using other people to advance his own position. I have to confess, I started rooting for his plays to flop. Of course I knew that Gypsy, Hello Dolly & 42nd Street were huge hits, but you might not be familiar with some of the other plays he brought to Broadway. It's a fascinating story, if you can get over the atrocious character of the man who was David Merrick.

[Scott Vandrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, David Merrick, why did you have to be so horrible? What terrible, unspeakable event in your childhood bent and warped you into Kissel’s detailed account of this vicious, vile person? And who are these five women whom you married, divorced, married and divorced and yet still remained loyal to you despite your evil treatment of them and everyone around them? This obsessive account of David Merrick, the showman of showmen, the producer among producers, is deeply depressing yet strangely reaffirming – lead with kindness, the book seems to say, or end up pathetic and broken like David Merrick.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography of one of Broadway's most famous and most successful producers. This account is not smeared by any fawning by the author over the subject. He describes Merrick with all of his faults

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end-all, be-all of theatrical impresarios. He's like a Damon Runyon character with a million tricks up his sleeve and every time you hit upon one in this biography, it's a hilarious revelation. This is a fascinating portrait, if at times a bit confusing in its timeline and the titles and people come fast and furious, so it's perhaps not for the faint-hearted fan, but for evidence of the impact a producer can have, this is a must-read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book, mean man, but was involved in Broadway for a very long time.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long perhaps, but a really excellent and thorough biography/sometimes-psychoanalysis.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing story, especially for anyone with a passion for Broadway. It's an unauthorized biography, and sometimes the writing is tedious.