THE CURTAIN NEVER FALLS

by Joey Adams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 10, 1949

In the Variety circuit this may ""lay them in the aisles"". Elsewhere, -- and that goes for this reader -- this story about a Broadway comedian who achieved top billing professionally and ranked as a heel humanly, leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Jackie Mason's rise to fame as a gag artist, vaudeville comedian, picture star and entertainer de luxe has just one moment when a spark of sympathy is kindled -- and that is when he spends his last cent to throw a Christmas Eve party for the rest of the cast in the Baltimore theatre where he made a disastrous teen age debut -- and nobody comes to the party. At the moment of deepest despair, his father, Johnny, a has-been hoofer, turns up- and rescues Jackie from oblivion. From then on, through the gamut of show experience, Jackie builds the ego that keeps him in the limelight, no matter at what cost; he marries his sponsor's daughter; he gets a setback when the Army takes over the bumps; but his faith in Jackie's divine right to be Jackie never flags until -- at the end- he gets a double blow. His wife finds she doesn't have to pamper that ego any longer; and his mistress-Hollywood style- throws him over for a polo player. Only Johnny is left.... The lowdown -- and its pretty low -- on the racket behind dressing room doors (and bedroom doors as well).

Pub Date: Oct. 10, 1949

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Frederick Fell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1949

Categories: FICTION