Publisher's Synopsis
This book is an account of the history of stand-up comedy on stage, television and the big screen. Laurel and Hardy, Woody Allen, Jack Benny, Tony Hancock, Danny Kaye, Morecombe and Wise, Mae West, W.C.Fields, Sergeant Bilko and the Two Ronnies are some of the comedians included in this illustrated volume.;There are brief descriptions of cartoon humour, Ealing comedy and television sitcoms as well as a chapter on the origins in France and ancient Rome of what we laugh at today. There is also a list of the best films and catchphrases of the major performers.;Leslie Halliwell is also the author of "Film Guide" (5th edition) and "Filmgoer's Companion" (8th edition).
