50 Years of American Comedy

Bill Treadwell traces the early years of comedy with humorous stories of dozens of the most important people in the entertainment business in his book 50 Years of American Comedy.


Written in a short-sentence, punchy style, the book takes a lighthearted, whimsical view of American comedy traced through the years — medicine shows, burlesque, variety stage, minstrel shows, smokers, vaudeville, radio and television.


Mr. Treadwell makes his point: "Comedy now is a big business and attempts to do the very difficult—make people laugh." Treadwell spent 20 years writing comedy for newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. He weaves many of his gags through the pages of his book. Mostly, the book deals with the great names of show business.


He writes: "The hardest thing for a man to do today is to relax. Everyone is under pressure. Modern society has put man in a position where he must be informed of many subjects; and one craving that pops up is for comedy, even to the point of slapstick. You have probably noticed slapstick scenes in current movies, and the wide appeal they have. Audience reaction often borders on the hysterical. Television programs, too, have turned to this form of comedy."