Walter Hampden: Dean of the American Theatre - Hardcover

Geddeth Smith

9780838641668: Walter Hampden: Dean of the American Theatre

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0838641660 ISBN 13: 9780838641668

Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2008

This is the first full-length biography of the distinguished actor-manager Walter Hampden (1879-1955). Most of the sources are from hitherto unpublished documents in the Walter Hampden Collection of the Hampden-Booth Library at the Players Club and from the author's extensive interviews with Walter Hampden's son Paul. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Hampden began his career in England as an apprentice with the Frank Benson Company. He appeared prominently in the West End in London, returned home to America, and with his brilliant successes as ""Hamlet"" and ""Cyrano on Broadway"" emerged as a major artist. He established his own theater in New York, and his career on stage lasted for more than half a century. Late in life he also became a prominent actor on radio, television, and films. This biography includes illustrations from all periods of his life and a chronology of his roles in all media. Geddeth Smith is an actor and a biographer of nineteenth-century actors.

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Review:

'Geddeth Smith's biography of Walter Hampden is a long overdue celebration of a great actor; it captures, and sets vividly in his time, a man whose performances I have venerated since childhood. I am grateful that his life has been so handsomely remembered.'--Fritz Weaver, actor

'Smith chronicles the rich details of Hampden's life and career in a fluent, reader-friendly, almost anecdotal flow of cogent narrative. It is an engaging chronicle of a fascinating man of the theatre.'--Paul Nelsen, Professor Theatre and Drama, Marlboro College

'Geddeth Smith has written a great page turner! I loved it! I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. For anyone interested in the Theatre--with a capital 'T'--and the life and times of a great American actor-manager, this is a must.'--Rosemary Harris, actress

About the Author:

Geddeth Smith is an author and actor who has appeared in a wide variety of roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on the road, and on national television.

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