DEC 2016: The Absolute Joy of Work by Carleton Carpenter

[Samantha]

Carleton Carpenter's book The Absolute Joy of Work was published recently by Bear Manor Media. Carpenter is currently 90 years old and is best known for his work in classic films like Two Weeks With Love, Summer Stock, and Three Little Words.

How do autobiographies written in the last 20 years compare to those written 20+ years ago?

Which of Carpenter's films are you familiar with? Which ones are you inspired to check out from this book?

[Samantha]

I absolutely love Two Weeks With Love. I own a lobby card from it and have watched it several times. I like to show it to other film fans because it is so appealing. The story reminds me of Dirty Dancing set at the turn of the century, so the costumes are fun, the music is pleasant and the cast is charming. One of the best musical numbers in the movie is "Aba Daba Honeymoon" featuring a young Debbie Reynolds and energetic Carpenter.

I wrote to him several months before this book was published for an autograph and received it quickly. Then I discovered he had written a book and pre-ordered it.

So far I am loving the book. Sometimes actors aren't the best writers and need a ghostwriter to help them, but this one is full of personality and fine writing. We are taken on a journey down memory lane but the memories feel like they are leading somewhere instead of being thrown out disjointed looking for meaning.

I have just come up to the point where he is realizing he prefers the company of men to women. It is heartbreaking that when he realizes he had strong feelings for Costello but can't bring himself to tell him.

TCM is showing some of his films in the coming months:
Father of the Bride February 8th 6:30 am
Three Little Words February 27th 8:30 am

[Samantha]

I always find that reading about stars who did a great deal of stage work or even radio work is frustrating to a degree because you don't know the many references they made. In this situation, I may recognize a few of the plays and musicals he mentions, but my connection to them is only minimal because I couldn't possibly have seen the show with the cast he's talking about.

Have any of you ever read a theater biography that you felt did not suffer from this disconnect?

[Erin]

I read a book about Tallulah Bankhead and it was a good book but I had never heard of 70% of the things she acted in. I kinda just skimmed those parts.