Description

With a Brand New Preface by the AuthorFirst printed in 1969, Notes on a Cowardly Lion has generated itself as you of the greatest-ever show-business biographies. Pulling on his father's thoughts and on the thoughts of these who caused him, John Lahr superbly examines the real history of contemporary American show-business through the long and wonderful career of his father--the crazy reduced-witty legend of burlesque, vaudeville, the Broadway revue and audio, Hollywood films, and the legitimate point. Within abundant depth is Lahr changing from reduced--language comedian to Ziegfeld Follies sophisticate, hamming it-up with the Scarecrow and Tin Woodsman on the group of The Wizard of Oz, and debuting Samuel Beckett's Awaiting Godot in The Usa, which Kenneth Tynan called "among the many respectable shows I've ever witnessed." In the study of Bert Lahr's persistent insecurity and self absorption, the break down of his first marriage, and the loving arm's length he held between himself and his devoted minute household, John Lahr's guide also provides the audience closer than every other theatre resource towards the personal pain of the fantastic humorous guy. This version of the guide contains the award winning composition "The Lion and Me," John Lahris personal insights on family life together with his remote, brooding, but adorable dad.