My Fave Book About Show Business
by Billy Ingram
 "I stood there thinking that as a fan, all I had ever really wanted was the chance to thank Groucho Marx for all the laughs he'd given me, and now here was my hero, holding on to me to keep from falling over. It was a strange moment, one that filled me with a mixture of pride and sorrow."
One of my very favorite books about the business of show is 'Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho's House' by Steve Stoliar, first published in 1996 and updated in 2011.
A college student in 1974, Stoliar was hired as an archivist who also handled Groucho's fan mail from a room inside the star's home. A dedicated Groucho-file, by the time Stoliar stepped into the picture a malevolent vixen had taken control of the comedian's life.
As a teenager Stoliar witnessed bewildering drama and the occasional joy that came with being in close proximity, serving as a proxy for, the legendary Groucho Marx during the last three years of his life. Imagine sitting alongside Groucho, watching episodes of 'You Bet Your Life.'
Extremely well-written in a conversational tone, even if you aren't a Groucho fan you'll find this fascinating portrait of a fading legend swathed in unimaginable madness to be one story you're not likely to forget.
In the words of the immortal Judy Garland: "There's no business like show business. Thank God!"
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