Saturday, March 03, 2012

Showbiz without tears ...

... Book Review: The Astaires - WSJ.com. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

Kathleen Riley's book on Fred and Adele—the first full-scale study—is a welcome rehabilitation. Drawing on family archives as well as her own extensive research, Ms. Riley gives us an unusual subject: showbiz without tears. There's no temperamental hazing of underlings, sexual curiosa or ruthless scheming to rule the world. Adele adores her brother; Fred protects his sister. Ms. Riley quotes Fred accepting an award shortly after her death, in 1981: "Delly was the shining light and I was just there pushing away." Even then, he was still throwing the act to her.

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