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Alex Ng New user Hong Kong 62 Posts |
Hi friends,
I'm thinking about getting this book for improving my skill. Could anyone who's got this please offer a review? Thank a lot! Alex |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I am also interested in a review and where to purchase this book in the USA.
Dennis Michael
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mikejorden Loyal user 222 Posts |
This was originally published about 20 years ago (I think). Anyway, I bought it then and didn't think much of it. More items for clowns than for magicians.
You pay your money and take your chance. I don't know your personality/style— maybe there is something for you. |
Alex Ng New user Hong Kong 62 Posts |
I found it in Hocus Pocus's Hot New Items Category.
The following shows the ad about it: A subject such as visual comedy could fill an entire shelf of books, but all you need is this volume to cover the subject. Performers need material, and in the pages of this book, you will find material to suit the type of performer towards the visual. For inspiration, represented are the greats of the silent screen— Chaplin, Keaton, Milton Berle, Keystone Cops, Laurel & Hardy, Jackie Gleason, Benny Hill, Sid Ceasar, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, and many other notables. All the material presented in this book is public domain, and with terrific illustrations by Max Morpurgo, we think you'll read and access this book over and over again! |
Ireland Loyal user Regina, Sask. Canada 217 Posts |
Don't do it.....waste of money.
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One Man Elite user Frederick, MD 491 Posts |
It's a mixed bag. Some funny visual bits, some groaners. The format of the book makes it a little difficult to read.
But if you do not have a huge cache of quick visual bits you are sure to find something you'll like. IMHO |
the conjurer New user 38 Posts |
My opinion.
Brilliant! A treasure of "sight gags and physical comedy bits" that have been handed down generation to generation from funny man to funny man and woman. An oral history that finally is recorded in this collection of "bits of business" that could have been easily lost. In fact, this book sadly, as Mr. Page admits, only scratches the surface. These bits were traded, borrowed (wink wink) and taught by comics to each other over the years. From the early days of comedy at places like England's Karno Palace to American vaudeville stages to music halls worldwide, these are the visual bits that left them rolling in the aisles. As mentioned by Page, not everything in this book is for everybody. But if you really want a great silent/some sound assisted comedy bit for your act, this is a GREAT resource. Like the work currently produced by Charlie Frye with his Essentricks DVDs and column, Mr. Page is helping to preserve comedy techniques that needed to be recorded for history and frankly are very hard to find. IMHO, Patrick Page's Book of Visual Comedy is one of a kind and a great addition to my or anyone's library. Best to All, The Conjurer |
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
I like it, a lot of silly stuff. A few electrical items (spinning bowtie ect) But its nice to have. I'm sure you can find one thing worth using.
A puzzle for a busy person is a classic. Some of them you can take the visual part away and just make it a gag. Matt |
Bursky New user West Hollywood, Ca. 78 Posts |
A lot of hack stuff.
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Neil_Brown Regular user England 150 Posts |
For me, the best part is the mini-essays, which contain a lot of wisdom.
I agree with Bursky that there is a lot of "hack" material in there, but Patrick does say this in his introduction, and, I guess it is only natural in a book which is essentially a collection of jokes and gags which Patrick has seen, or performed himself, during his working life. The end result is that there was nothing in there that I use as such, but, it is a great source of inspiration for working on my own gags and routines. For me, that made it worth the money, in the same way that I'd happily watch a DVD of, say, Dad's Army, and just see how jokes are built up and delivered, rather than with the intention of using any of the lines. However, if you are buying it as way of immediately adding a few gags to your act, then, be prepared to accept that this may not be the case; humour being a subjective thing, though, you may find it to be a book of ready-to-run jokes! |
EggMan New user 47 Posts |
I think this is a good book to have if you're looking to get as many ideas as possible to build some sort of comedy act. I agree with Neil that the essays are really the best part of the book. This book is about the classics in physical comedy and just as in magic, I feel that a firm grounding of the classics is needed.
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scaress Veteran user salt lake city 337 Posts |
it struck me as 'academic'.
if you're a comedy historian, overly cerebral about comedy or just having trouble in clown collage, you'll probably love this. but I didn't find anything in it I could actually use. |
Mr Amazing Special user 617 Posts |
I got it a few weeks back and believe it will be of value to me. Where else can you find physical comedy like this, without relying on weird props. If nothing else, it is a collection of silly stunts, many of which you can do just as you're socializing - and this I find very valuable.
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