From Library Journal
The three Shubert Brothers--Sam, J.J., and Lee--have assumed almost legendary status in the history of the Broadway theater. Emigrating to the United States at an early age, they quickly were on their way to becoming powerful and wealthy theater owners and producers. McNamara, director of the Shubert Archive, outlines their rise against the backdrop of a half-century of theater, with illustrations from the archive bringing to life the stars and shows they presented. While less a biography than a history of their enterprise, McNamara's account gives the reader a balanced but not uncritical portrait of the eccentric, mercurial, and shrewd brothers and their battles with rival producers, actors, and each other. The lavish illustrations alone make this a desirable purchase for theater collections, even those which have Jerry Stagg's more detailed The Brothers Shubert ( LJ 11/1/68; o.p.).
- Eric W. Johnson, Univ. of Bridgeport Lib., Ct.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Kurzbeschreibung
The Shubert brothers - Sam, Lee and J.J. - were the leading American theatrical producers in the first half of the 20th century. Owning or controlling 104 theatres and with assets exceeding US $70 million, their empire was responsible for some of the greatest hits of the period, ranging from the operettas "Blossom Time" and "The Student Prince" to "La Belle Paree" with Al Jolson and "The Passing Shows", which featured George Jessel and Fred Astaire. However, relations between the brothers were not always cordial, and their dealings were ultimately the subject of a government inquiry. Drawing on the newly created Shubert Archive, this biography attempts to recreate the lives of the brothers who dominated New York's Broadway for five decades.
