The Slapstick Queens

by James Robert Parish

Film historian James Robert Parish gives these sometimes overlooked funny ladies of the movies the attention they deserve. Joan Davis, Judy Canova, Marjorie Main, Martha Raye and Phyllis Diller are each given a thorough biography illustrated with many rare black-and-white photos. This is a must-have volume for any comedy lover's library.

297 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

James Robert Parish, a former entertainment reporter, publicist, and book series editor, is the author of many published major biographies and reference books on the entertainment industry including Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You; The Hollywood Book of Extravagance; It’s Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks; The Hollywood Book of Breakups; Fiascos: Hollywood’s Iconic Flops; The Hollywood Book of Love; Jet Li; The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood; The Hollywood Book of Death; Gus Van Sant; Whoopi Goldberg; Rosie O’Donnell’s Story; The Unofficial “Murder, She Wrote” Casebook; Today’s Black Hollywood; Let’s Talk! America’s Favorite TV Talk Show Hosts; Prison Pictures from Hollywood; Prostitution in Hollywood Films; The Great Cop Pictures; Ghosts and Angels in Hollywood Films; Pirates and Seafaring Swashbucklers on the Hollywood Screen; Gays and Lesbians in Mainstream Cinema; Hollywood’s Great Love Teams; and The Fox Girls. Mr. Parish is a frequent oncamera interviewee on cable and network TV for documentaries on the performing arts. The author resides in Studio City, California.

Reviews

[Judy Egnew Ness · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this old (1973) book because my husband and I enjoy early movies, and I wanted to read more about comedy actors Marjorie Main (aka "Ma Kettle") and Martha Raye. The author also devoted chapters to Joan Davis, Judy Canova, and Phyllis Diller. After a biographical account of their lives and careers, each section includes a full list of all their films, and black-and white photos from film, TV, and stage scenes. If you like old movies, musicals, revues, and/or comedies, you'll appreciate this book.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published in 1973, it would have gotten a better rating back then. 5 decades later, we can easily find synopsis of movies. The choices of the Queens is more "Slapstick Queens seen on TV in the 1960s", thus the early silent Queens are missing. One could argue who should be here and who shoudn't - and that is why my rating is ok, rather than liked. If you like these particular queens more than I, then you'll rate these bios better than I. So bios, and photos that fit.