Reviews for David Merrick The Abominable Showman The Unauthorized Biography

The average rating for David Merrick The Abominable Showman The Unauthorized Biography based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-07-01 00:00:00 Michael Kubasek The subject could scarcely be more fascinating: a rags-to-riches climber who wished to leave behind his empty-pocketed past, his Jewish heritage and even the first wife whose money allowed him to make a break for the big time (though she remained legally wed to him longer than any of her subsequent replacements.) The book itself is pretty thorough if not entirely insightful. It relishes in repeating the many deliberately nasty things Merrick did during his lengthy career as a Broadway (and sometimes film) producer, some of which are mid-bogglingly petty, hurtful and cruel. However, we don't ever really get to know what made Merrick tick. Still, for those who enjoy reading about all the movers and shakers of the classic Great White Way and who like getting the lowdown on who got along with (or especially who didn't get along with) Merrick and others, it's an engrossing read. The book was probably hampered by the fact that its subject was still alive at the time it was printed. Even the author notes that some interviewees were reluctant to speak out against Merrick (who was still producing then, but in a far less successful manner than in his glory days) while he was still breathing. The man appeared to just enjoy existing in turmoil and animosity-ridden chaos! Every great once in a while, he'd do something thoughtful, surprising everyone, but more often it was a treadmill of meanness that would startle even Leona Helmsley. Worth reading, too, for its historical value of the famous plays produced.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-04-24 00:00:00 Patricia Britton Excellent biography of one of Broadway's most famous and most successful producers. This account is not smeared by any fawning by the author over the subject. He describes Merrick with all of his faults