Home Books All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business

All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business

All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business

by Mel Brooks

Ballantine Books ·2021 ·480 pages
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
64/99
Maybe Someday

43/99

Critics' Rating Index

Top of the Pile

86/99

Readers' Rating Index

n/a

Scholars' Citation Index

89/99

Volume of Reviews

94/99

Volume of Reader Ratings

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About This Book

At 95, the legendary Mel Brooks continues to set the standard for comedy across television, film, and the stage. Now, for the first time, this EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner shares his story in his own words. "I hope fans of comedy will get a kick out of the stories behind my work, and really enjoy taking this remarkable ride with me."—Mel Brooks For anyone who loves American comedy, the long wait is over. Here are the never-before-told, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and remembrances from a master storyteller, filmmaker, and creator of all things funny. All About Me! charts Mel Brooks's meteoric rise from a Depression-era kid in Brooklyn to the recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Whether serving in the United States Army in World War II, or during his burgeoning career as a teenage comedian in the Catskills, Mel was always mining his experiences for material, always looking for the perfect joke. His iconic career began with Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, where he was part of the greatest writers' room in history, which included Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and Larry Gelbart. After co-creating both the mega-hit 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums and the classic television series Get Smart, Brooks's stellar film career took off. He would go on to write, direct, and star in The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, and Spaceballs, as well as produce groundbreaking and eclectic films, including The Elephant Man, The Fly, and My Favorite Year. Brooks then went on to conquer Broadway with his record-breaking, Tony-winning musical, The Producers. All About Me! offers fans insight into the inspiration behind the ideas for his outstanding collection of boundary-breaking work, and offers details about the many close friendships and collaborations Brooks had, including those with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Alfred Hitchcock, and the great love of his life, Anne Bancroft. Filled with tales of struggle, achievement, and camaraderie (and dozens of photographs), readers will gain a more personal and deeper understanding of the incredible body of work behind one of the most accomplished and beloved entertainers in history.


Reviews

"Studded with snickering asides and rapid-fire jokes, Brooks's account of making it in show biz is just as sidesplitting as his movies."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"It's testament to Brooks that you read All About Me!"

Victoria Segal· The Times (UK) Read review ↗ Near the Top

"He's good at remembering where jokes came from...but heavy weather when recalling gags and routines ..."

Jonathan Romney· The Guardian Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"1926) has been dining out on the anecdotes in this book for decades ..."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Brooks is generous with his praise and steadfast in his belief that no comedy icon ever achieves great heights alone ..."

Zack Ruskin· San Francisco Chronicle Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Even events that might have distressed others get a positive spin ..."

Ilene Cooper· Booklist Read review ↗ Near the Top

"A must-read for fans of comedy, film, and theater."

Peter Thornell· Library Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Perhaps named for All About Eve but less of a bumpy night than a joy ride, All About Me!"

Alexandra Jacobs· The New York Times Read review ↗ Near the Top

"hand-wringing is simply not a part of Brooks's sunny disposition."

Laurence Maslon· The Washington Post Read review ↗ Near the Top

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