Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (Hollywood Legends)

Name: Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (Hollywood Legends)
Brand: University Press of Kentucky
SKU: 131474
Availability: InStock

$25.00

Disclosure

Discover the captivating life and career of Madeline Kahn in Being the Music, A Life. This authoritative biography from University Press of Kentucky offers an in-depth look at the Hollywood legend’s artistic journey, revealing her impact on film and comedy with rich detail and insight.

Category: Books

Tags: actress memoir, Celebrity life story, entertainment biography, film history, Hollywood legends book, Madeline Kahn biography, University Press of Kentucky

Brands: University Press of Kentucky

Best known for her Oscar-nominated roles in the smash hits Paper Moon and Blazing Saddles, Madeline Kahn (1942–1999) was one of the most popular comedians of her time—and one of the least understood. In private, she was as reserved and refined as her characters were bold and bawdy. Almost a Method actor in her approach, she took her work seriously. When crew members and audiences laughed, she asked why—as if they were laughing at her—and all her life she remained unsure of her gifts.

William V. Madison examines Kahn’s film career, including not only her triumphs with Mel Brooks and Peter Bogdanovich, but also her overlooked performances in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother and Judy Berlin, her final film. Her work in television—notably her sitcoms—also comes into focus. New York theater showered her with accolades, but also with remarkably bad luck, culminating in a disastrous outing in On the Twentieth Century that wrecked her reputation on Broadway. Only with her Tony-winning performance in The Sisters Rosensweig, fifteen years later, did Kahn regain her standing.

Drawing on new interviews with family, friends, and such colleagues as Lily Tomlin, Carol Burnett, Gene Wilder, Harold Prince, and Eileen Brennan, as well as archival press and private writings, Madison uncovers Kahn’s lonely childhood and her struggles as a single woman working to provide for her erratic mother. Above all, Madison reveals the paramount importance of music in Kahn’s life. A talented singer, she entertained offers for operatic engagements long after she was an established Hollywood star, and she treated each script as a score. As Kahn told one friend, her ambition was “to be the music.”

Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (Hollywood Legends) is an illuminating and meticulously researched biography that offers a comprehensive exploration of the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile performers. Published by the University Press of Kentucky, this book provides readers with an in-depth look at Madeline Kahn’s unique contributions to film, theater, and comedy, capturing the essence of her extraordinary talent and enduring influence. Through vivid storytelling and detailed analysis, the biography delves into Kahn’s artistic journey, highlighting her ability to blend humor, music, and dramatic nuance in ways that continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike. This book is an essential addition for enthusiasts of Hollywood history, performing arts, and biography, offering a rich narrative that enhances understanding of the cultural and artistic landscape in which Kahn thrived. It serves not only as a tribute to her legacy but also as a valuable resource for those seeking to appreciate the complexities and triumphs of a career shaped by innovation and resilience. Whether used as a reference for academic study or as an engaging read for personal enrichment, Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life invites readers to experience the full spectrum of her artistry and the indelible mark she left on the entertainment world. In everyday life, this book enriches the reader’s appreciation of film and theater by providing context and insight into the life behind the performances that have become iconic. It encourages reflection on the interplay between personal history and creative expression, making it a compelling and inspiring read for anyone passionate about the arts and the stories of those who bring them to life. The authoritative voice of the University Press of Kentucky ensures a scholarly yet accessible approach, making this biography a standout contribution to the Hollywood Legends series and a lasting homage to Madeline Kahn’s remarkable life and work.