Lou's on First: A Biography - Softcover

Costello, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312499140 ISBN 13: 9780312499143

Publisher: St Martin's Press, 1982

Synopsis

This intimate portrait of Lou Costello (1906-1959) offers a rare look at one of the most talented comedians of all time. Starting in the 1930s, Costello attained enormous fame touring the burlesque circuits with straight man Bud Abbott (1895-1974). Their live skits (including "Who's on First?"), radio programs, and films such as One Night in the Tropics, Buck Privates, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and In the Navy made comic history.

Behind the scenes, however, Costello faced numerous crises: a bout with rheumatic fever that left him bedridden for months, the drowning death of his young son, and constant haggles with Universal Studios over its reluctance to adequately finance productions of Abbot and Costello films. Lou's on First goes beyond Costello's clownish persona to explore his Pagliacci nature: the private demons behind the happy public face, the heartbreaking moments in an otherwise storybook marriage, the business ventures soured by unscrupulous managers, and the true nature of the breakup of his twenty-one-year partnership with Bud Abbott.

About this title

From the Author:

Chris Costello, author of "Lou's On First"
The year 2000 will mark the 20th anniversary of my book ... a labor of love for a man who was simply my dad.What a tribute to think that this book is still in print and gathering a whole new generation of readers worldwide ... the Costello family thanks everyone for their continued support of the boys ... you're on first with me!

Chris Costello

Synopsis:

Traces comedian Lou Costello's career from his boyhood in Paterson, New Jersey through the television and movie features that made him famous and includes excerpts from some of his most memorable routines.

About this edition

• Publisher: St Martin's Press
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 0312499140
• ISBN 13: 9780312499143
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 276