Items related to Walter Hampden: Dean of the American Theatre
This is the first full-length biography of the distinguished actor-manager Walter Hampden (1879-1955). Most of the sources are from hitherto unpublished documents in the Walter Hampden Collection of the Hampden-Booth Library at the Players Club and from the author's extensive interviews with Walter Hampden's son Paul. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Hampden began his career in England as an apprentice with the Frank Benson Company. He appeared prominently in the West End in London, returned home to America, and with his brilliant successes as 'Hamlet' and 'Cyrano on Broadway' emerged as a major artist. He established his own theater in New York, and his career on stage lasted for more than half a century. Late in life he also became a prominent actor on radio, television, and films. This biography includes illustrations from all periods of his life and a chronology of his roles in all media.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Geddeth Smith is an author and actor who has appeared in a wide variety of roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on the road, and on national television.
Review:
'Geddeth Smith has written a great page turner! I loved it! I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. For anyone interested in the Theatre―with a capital 'T'―and the life and times of a great American actor-manager, this is a must.' (Rosemary Harris, actress)
'Smith chronicles the rich details of Hampden's life and career in a fluent, reader-friendly, almost anecdotal flow of cogent narrative. It is an engaging chronicle of a fascinating man of the theatre.' (Paul Nelsen, Professor Theatre and Drama, Marlboro College)
'Geddeth Smith's biography of Walter Hampden is a long overdue celebration of a great actor; it captures, and sets vividly in his time, a man whose performances I have venerated since childhood. I am grateful that his life has been so handsomely remembered.' (Fritz Weaver, actor)
Geddeth Smith's engaging biography of Hampden, the first and long overdue, goes some distance in restoring the actor's legacy . . . He succeeds simultaneously in illuminating Hampden's achievements while creating a vivid portrait of the evolving American stage of an extraordinary era . . . Without question, Hampden's memory is well-served by this meticulously researched and highly readable biography, a necessary volume for any theatre collection or scholar of the American stage. (Broadside)
'Smith chronicles the rich details of Hampden's life and career in a fluent, reader-friendly, almost anecdotal flow of cogent narrative. It is an engaging chronicle of a fascinating man of the theatre.' (Paul Nelsen, Professor Theatre and Drama, Marlboro College)
'Geddeth Smith's biography of Walter Hampden is a long overdue celebration of a great actor; it captures, and sets vividly in his time, a man whose performances I have venerated since childhood. I am grateful that his life has been so handsomely remembered.' (Fritz Weaver, actor)
Geddeth Smith's engaging biography of Hampden, the first and long overdue, goes some distance in restoring the actor's legacy . . . He succeeds simultaneously in illuminating Hampden's achievements while creating a vivid portrait of the evolving American stage of an extraordinary era . . . Without question, Hampden's memory is well-served by this meticulously researched and highly readable biography, a necessary volume for any theatre collection or scholar of the American stage. (Broadside)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherFairleigh Dickinson University Press
- Publication date2008
- ISBN 10 1611473810
- ISBN 13 9781611473810
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages430
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