- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; First Edition edition (19 May 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297812394
- ISBN-13: 978-0297812395
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.8 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
444,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #95 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Film > Film Genres > Comedy
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Product Description
Product Description
Here is the autobiography of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers. Nicholas Parsons has taken for the title of his book a role that he has played with great success on television and on the radio, a role that has dominated his personal as well as his professional life. Perhaps his ability to laugh at himself is one of the reasons that he has fallen naturally into the role of the "fall guy" to most of the great comics of the last half-century. His book is full of anecdotes, as well as shrewd observations of the profession which he loves, and the exceptional characters with whom he has worked, including Arthur Haynes, Tony Hancock, Kenneth Williams and Benny Hill. "The Straight Man" is an insight into the world of comedy, by one of its most highly esteemed performers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
this fine book charts this multi talented actor through his life,from childhood to 1994,when the book was published.with detailed accounts of when as a teenager he took an engineering apprentice job in glasgow,to satisfy his parents who thought an acting/stage, career was not for him,through hard work and and a willingness to try anything once led him to star on the stage,tv,to a lesser degree in film work,and of course the radio.his second book,printed in 2010 does cover a large portion of his earlier tome.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This perhaps is the epitome of a celeb autobiog.Lots of anectodtes about his career ,a breif resume of his private life,nothing salacious you know and get through it within 300 pages.It is a quick read because really nothing uneventful happens.The best part is probably when he was stooge for Arthur Haynes.He has written a new book so anyone is more likely to buy his new one than this.
Format:Hardcover
In the mid-1980's, I found shortwave radio on the BBC. I had turned-on my multiband radio right before going to bed, and instead of hearing WBBM, the all-news CBS station out of Chicago, Illinois, USA, I heard a lively broadcast of "Quote, Unquote." At some of the revelations by the esteem panel surfaced, I laughed loud enough to disturb my girlfriend at the time who had already fallen asleep.
Later than week, I heard my first broadcast of "Just a Minute," with Nicholas Parsons as the "Chairman," not emcee, as I unfortunately referred to him one time (actually, we have exchanged correspondence several times (5-7), and in each case, I have found his comments to be respectful, kind, and honest.
This book, THE STRAIGHT MAN, is a godsend to anyone who wants to know what it is like to work their way up "through the ranks" to become an English celebrity, and perhaps the person most "overlooked" for Knighthood the Queen will ever meet.
I have been blessed with my friendship with Nicholas Parsons (I do wish he, and his wife, would not move as much or take those l-o-n-g vacations, leavingmy wife Carol and I to wonder if we are going to be "strattled" listening to a "presenter, emcee, or, in his words, the "Chairman,'" when we could be listening to the "real" thing.
If you can find this book, buy it NOW!
Later than week, I heard my first broadcast of "Just a Minute," with Nicholas Parsons as the "Chairman," not emcee, as I unfortunately referred to him one time (actually, we have exchanged correspondence several times (5-7), and in each case, I have found his comments to be respectful, kind, and honest.
This book, THE STRAIGHT MAN, is a godsend to anyone who wants to know what it is like to work their way up "through the ranks" to become an English celebrity, and perhaps the person most "overlooked" for Knighthood the Queen will ever meet.
I have been blessed with my friendship with Nicholas Parsons (I do wish he, and his wife, would not move as much or take those l-o-n-g vacations, leavingmy wife Carol and I to wonder if we are going to be "strattled" listening to a "presenter, emcee, or, in his words, the "Chairman,'" when we could be listening to the "real" thing.
If you can find this book, buy it NOW!
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