ROBERT BENCHLEY: A Biography

by Nathaniel Benchley ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 3, 1955

This portrait of the humorist by his son (Nathaniel Benchley, an always attractive writer, will be remembered for his short stories) is the happiest of associations, and while maintaining a disrest distance- particularly in personal matters- affection does much to warm this account. All apocrypha disposed of, certainly the man is all there, bemused, benevolent, raffish and at the same time deeply religious, and the glow of geniality and the always kindly spirit of his humor leaves a lasting impress. There are, as well, the passing moments of queasy self-appraisal, the doubt in the early years that he would ever write (there were many jobs and many rejections), the regrets- later-that he had never written anything worthwhile. Along with the range of his humor, from the inspired practical jokes to the subtler jeus d'esprit, there are the difficulties with deadlines, finances, doctors; the lack of rapport with all machinery, all birds, and most animals; the conspiratorial triumvirate of Benchley, Sherwood and Dorothy Parker, and the unruly collaboration with Charles MacArthur. There are his rooms at the Royalton- a clutter of books, biblios and horrib; the trips to Hollywood- and abroad; the nocturnal prowling- a convivial form of escape; and all in all, along with many of his memorable pieces, this is a tremendously entertaining as well as touching tribute. For the many to whom the legend will endure- none of the sparkle has rubbed off here.

Pub Date: Nov. 3, 1955

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1955

Categories: NONFICTION