Make Room for Danny

Danny Thomas; Bill Davidson [Collaborator]

ISBN 10: 0399135669 / ISBN 13: 9780399135668

Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1991

Seller Inventory # 0399135669-3-27588422

Synopsis:

The man who went from a childhood of poverty in Toledo to become a major star and producer of such hits as "Make Room for Daddy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" shares the story of his phenomenal success

Reviews: Thanks to Davidson's collaborative skills (previously with President Kennedy, Sid Caesar, etc.), the full flavor of Thomas's much-admired personality emerges in this autobigraphy. The son of poor Lebanese immigrants, the entertainer was born in 1914 on a horse farm in Michigan and grew up among Jewish, Irish, Italian and other new Americans, an ethnic mix that provides the material for the comic's storytelling routines. After breaking into radio in his youth, Thomas rose to fame in films and TV, remained married to his wife of 54 years, Rose Marie. He attributes his successful life to a kept promise to St. Jude to found and support a children's hospital in his name, an institution for which Thomas was awarded the Congressional Medal. The hospital, according to the star, is his greatest reward, outweighing his professional achievements, even his record-setting TV show, an 11-year prime-time favorite, Make Room for Daddy. Father to Tony, a noted TV producer, and actress-producer Marlo, Thomas also reports proudly on their careers. Among other attractions in the book are tender and funny tales of cherished friends Milton Berle, Lucille Ball, Sinatra, Sammy Davis and others. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the overpopulated field of star self-portraits, Thomas's stands out, if only because he has a kind word for virtually everyone and bears few grudges. (One exception: Walter Winchell.) Thomas's forte as an entertainer is his storytelling, which gets a full workout in these pages. Stories about his family of Lebanese immigrants. Stories about his early days in Chicago nightclubs. Stories about his smash TV series (the title was suggested by his wife). Stories about his show-box pals like Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle. And the stories that are part of his "act," many of them what he calls "treacle-cutters": sentimental tales with a sharp zinger at the end. Entertaining stuff that's an option for small and medium-sized collections.
- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film," Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Make Room for Danny
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: 1991
Binding: hardcover
Condition: Good