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In this engrossing fictional memoir based on original sources,
Harry Eugene Lester paints a rich picture of his life and times as
the world's premiere ventriloquist in the heyday of vaudeville and
beyond. Not only will vents and historians appreciate this book,
but also, as it's a delight to read, anyone who likes to read
personal reflections of a life well lived can enjoy The Great
Lester: Ventriloquism's Renaissance Man. The Great Lester was a
Renaissance man-a free spirit-a creative person who originated a
ventriloquist act that both changed and enlightened American
ventriloquism, even as he wrestled with the changing times and his
own inner world. What makes that character different from the rest
of us? What are the secrets of his talent? What is creative vision,
and where does it come from? Based on original research, including
access to newspaper and magazine accounts and previously
unpublished correspondence, and primary source tape recordings made
by Lester, The Great Lester: Ventriloquism's Renaissance Man
presents the first fully integrated portrait of this American icon
of ventriloquism. Few performers lived such a large and eventful
life while transportation and electricity changed the world.
Lester's early life was one of restless adventure going to new
places following traveling entertainment-first with the circus,
then Dime Museums, and then American vaudeville and music halls in
Europe. He traveled the world, becoming famous and wealthy, and
then becoming penniless as the fashions in show business changed.
Lester possessed an evangelical zeal to share his approaches
regarding acquiring the art and craft of ventriloquism. His most
famous student was Edgar Bergen, fresh from high school in 1922.
Lester spent his last years teaching ventriloquism students one on
one at his studio in Hollywood. Erskine brings Lester to life as
never before. He also details parts of Lester's personality that
cannot be easily understood-his defiance of rules regarding his
career and his inability to change with the fashions in show
business.
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy
Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive
selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to
reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional
imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor
pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues
beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we
have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting,
preserving and promoting the world's literature.
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger
Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain
imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed
pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we
have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting,
preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger
Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and
hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!
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