Ethan Mordden

[cmleidi]

Posted: 10/20/03 at 12:48am

Is anyone a fan of his books on Broadway musicals? I picked up his book on the musicals of the seventies, and I'm having a hard time getting through it. His prose is just so convoluted and cluttered. I've read some of his fiction, and it's nothing like this. Ken Mandelbaum's book (which covers similar material) was written in a much more focused way.

[QueenS]

Posted: 10/20/03 at 8:46am

Love his fiction and short stories, never read any of the "Decades" books.

Posted: 10/20/03 at 11:56am

I Think Mr. Mordden would loath to admit it (I actually have met him twice) but his best writing is in the series of short stories, commonly known as, "The "Buddy" trilogy". They are as follows:

"I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore"
"Buddies"
"Everyone Loves You"
"Some men are Lookers"

They are truly beautiful books. Although the time period of the books is a very different one than today, the characters and their lives and their problems are still relevant, still moving and exceptionally rendered by Mordden .

I have never forgotten these tales and the one called, 'The Ghost of Champ McQuest", still touches me many years later.

If you are young and gay or just gay and have not read these books, do so!

[tpdc]

Posted: 10/20/03 at 12:03pm

I've read most of Mordden's theater books. There are factual errors in some of the books. Maybe his theater books need a better editor? I thought they were entertaining. I also enjoyed his short stories. I think the best theater book around now is Chapin's book on FOLLIES.

[Oscar Jaffee]

Posted: 10/20/03 at 12:35pm

I really enjoyed his latest book, on 1970s musicals, because it devoted a lot of space to my favorite musical, "On the Twentieth Century," which barely gets a mention in most books on musicals.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/20/03 at 1:33pm

Mandelbaum's book is the ultimate on the subject.

I heard there was going to be a new edition coming out. Any word?

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 5:52am

Mordden's book on Hollywood Musicals is the best short survey book on the subject I've yet read.

[onceadancer2]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 2:34pm

I enjoy his books immensely. I find them literate, lively and abounding with admiration for the art of musical theatre. And he sometimes brings up shows such as the 1944 classic FOLOW THE GIRLS that make me smile and many times make me laugh uproriously!

Miriam