A talent for genius : the life and times of Oscar Levant / by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger.
| Author/creator | Kashner, Sam |
| Other author | Schoenberger, Nancy. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Publication Info | New York : Villard Books, 1994. |
| Description | xii, 512 pages, 16 pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Part I: An American in Pittsburgh. The unmentionable city ; The making of a chuchum ; The "Paderooski" of Colwell Street -- Part II: The emperors of Broadway. The main stem ; Stairway to paradise ; The emperors of Broadway ; "Sax-o-phun" ; One of the boys ; Burlesque ; The widening circle -- Part III: The dance of life. The Dance of Life ; Penthouse beachcomber ; Various debuts ; Oscar among the composers ; A New York divorce ; Exiles and Moguls ; Crimes without passion ; The lion in exile ; The great houses ; Concert of missed notes ; Someone to watch over me -- Part IV: Love and fame. "Dear Junie" ; The unknown celebrity ; Distant music ; "The future Mrs. L" ; Ghost music ; The talking pianist ; A bargain for a dedication ; "Again, the Rhapsody?" ; Endless bleeding ; Humoresque ; Romance on the High Seas -- Part V: The fabulous invalid. Freed at last ; Render unto Caesar ; The reign of terror ; Paradoxical excitement ; Chaos in search of frenzy ; The Oscar Levant Show ; Under Paar ; "Good night, Oscar Levant, wherever you are" ; The Memoirs of an Amnesiac ; Remembering and forgetting -- Coda -- Appendix [Filmography and discography]. |
| Abstract | An astonishingly gifted concert pianist, composer, film and stage presence, radio and television raconteur, insult wit, and bestselling author, Levant steered a maniacally masochistic course through seven glorious decades. His death in 1972, at the age of sixty-five, left the entertainment community shocked--largely with amazement that a four-pack-a-day smoker with a history of drug abuse and mental illness had lasted as long as Levant did. This book discusses his career as well as his tumultuous, self-destructive private life. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| LCCN | 93040647 |
| ISBN | 0679404899 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk | ML417.L64 K37 1994 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |