This is the HARDBACK version. Journey into a world of comedy featuring some of the best comedians and comediennes of a different time and place. Dozens of encounters, each based on a one-on-one interview, some dating as far back as the 1960s, recalled by John Stalney, for thirty-three years an entertainment writer for the San Francisco Chronicle's Dateook. Stanley specialized in exclusive moments with stars and up-and-coming stars, searching for how and why they had succeeded or were trying to succeed with comedy in the worlds of night clubs, television, and motion pictures. Enter the lives of such historic show biz personalities as: Sid Caesar Imogene Coca Bob Hope Bing Crosby Kathryn Grant Crosby George Burns Lucille Ball Art Carney Jackie Gleason Audrey Meadows Milton Berle Jack Benny Dennis Day Sheldon Leonard Mel Blanc Hilliard Marks Rodney Dangerfield Joan Rivers Woody Allen Donald O'Connor Mae West Jimmy Durante Liberace Peter Sellers Henry Mancini Hoe Howard Wally Cox Greg Garrison Frank Gorshin Rich Little Elliott Gould (M*A*S*H) Donald Sutherland (M*A*S*H) Alan Alda (M*A*S*H) Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H) Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H) Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H) Larry Linville (M*A*S*H) Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H)