Autobiography of Lenny Bruce.

Many people think they know who Ben Elton is – but does he? For the first – and only – time, Ben tackles this question head on in his frank, forthright and entertaining autobiography. Taking a deep dive into his life and times, both private and public, to reveal the true stories behind iconic hits such as The Young Ones , Blackadder and We Will Rock You , his pioneering routines hosting Saturday Live , which birthed a revolution in stand-up comedy, and so much more. Ben recounts his life and uniquely varied career from his Catford childhood and being the BBC’s youngest ever sit com writer at 21 right up to the present day, with yet another hit sit com, Upstart Crow; a surprise late-life BAFTA; and his most critically acclaimed stand-up comedy show to date. Alongside unique insights into his ground-breaking work, Ben talks honestly and hilariously about his personal and professional relationships with two generations of brilliant friends, inspiring contemporaries, occasional foes, and the times in which they all lived. And Ben’s life has been just as challenging, rewarding and funny off screen as it has been on. He unpacks it all with wit, insight and complete honesty. And of course, there’s a ‘little bit of politics’. After living sixty five years on the planet, forty-five of them in public, tickling many funny bones and getting on a respectable number of wicks, Ben has a lot of stories to tell, and he tells them unvarnished and uncensored – because that’s who he is.

In I Never Got a Dinner Red Buttons gives us the details of his long and fascinating life. From his Jewish-immigrant upbringing in New York City, to his glory days as host of his own prime-time television variety show, to his big-screen triumphs alongside such film giants as Marlon Brando, Ginger Rogers, and Jane Fonda, Buttons tackles his personal and professional life with sometimes hilarious, at other times devastating, sincerity.

Molly Picon began as a child actor in the Yiddish Theatre at age six. Picon went on to appear in many films, beginning with silent movies. In 1934, Picon had her own musical comedy radio show, Picon went on to appear in many TV shows and her final role was as Roger Moore's mother in cameo appearances in the comedies Cannonball Run and its sequel Cannonball Run II. In "So Laugh a Little" the famous Yiddish actress, has written a funny and poignant book describing her life journey all the while paying homage to the many life lessons learned from her grandmother. Molly's grandmother came to Philadelphia from Russia and helped raise Molly and encourage her in her career in show business. Part autobiography, part common-sense wisdom, this book will engage and entertain you through every chapter. Starting with Molly's early start in Yiddish to her later success in her own stage show and on to many TV and film roles, Molly shares life advice that is just as important to hear today as it was when the book was originally published in 1962.

First Paperback edition 1978. Slight wear. Crease to cover. Mark from the price sticker on the cover.