Marty Feldman: The Biography of a Comedy Legend

(Hardback)

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Mike Myers thinks he was "a genius", while John Cleese regards him as "a true cultural icon". He was an architect of British comedy, paving the way for Monty Python, and then became a major Hollywood star, forever remembered as Igor in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. A writer, director, performer and true pioneer of his art, he died aged only 48. His name was Marty Feldman, and here, at last, is the fi rst ever biography. Acclaimed author Robert Ross has interviewed Marty's friends and family, including his sister Pamela, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, and also draws from extensive, previously unpublished and often hilarious interviews with Marty himself, taped in preparation for the autobiography he never wrote. No one before or since has had a career quite like Marty's. Beginning in the dying days of variety theatre, he went from the behind the scenes scriptwriting triumphs of Round the Horne and The Frost Report to onscreen stardom in At Last the 1948 Show and his own hit series Marty. That led to transatlantic success, his work with Mel Brooks, and a five-picture deal to write and direct his own movies.From his youth as a tramp on the streets of London, to the height of his fame in America - where he encountered everyone from Orson Welles to Kermit the Frog, before his Hollywood dream became a nightmare - this is the fascinating story of a key figure in the history of comedy, fully told for the first time.

Reviews

[An] incredible story... A richly rewarding read. Time Out

"Marty was a grand talent. A comedic writing and acting legendthat may never again be matched in terms of content and volume alone. RobertRoss love of the subject allowed you to get to know this troubled andtortured soul." - Killer Reviews

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"Every Saturday evening I would watch 'The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine'. Igor in'Young Frankenstein' was written for Marty. I was thinking of him all the time. No-oneelse could have played that part." -Gene Wilder

"When you're a comedy writer you pray for Marty Feldman. He not only met your material, he lifted it. He gave it that magic touch." -Mel Brooks

"Marty was the perfect comedy script editor. The veteran centre half who steered the newdefence." -Sir David Frost

"Marty had one of the sharpest comedy brains inanybody I have ever met. He was a lovely man as well. Almost unique." -Michael Palin CBE

"He had a wonderful comedy presence. He is a true cultural icon." -John Cleese

"I love British comedy. I learnt from it. Marty Feldman was a genius. Crossed eyes arefunny!" -Mike Myers

Author Bio

Robert Ross has been a writer for ten years and his work varies from books on the Carry On films to Doctor Who audio plays. He is also a prolific moderator for DVD audio commentaries.