Max Shulman

Max Shulman (1919-1988) was an American humorist and novelist best known for his satirical works about American college life and culture in the mid-20th century. His most famous creation was the character Dobie Gillis, who appeared in short stories and later became the basis for the television series "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." Beginning his writing career while attending the University of Minnesota, Shulman wrote for the campus humor magazine and published his first novel "Barefoot Boy with Cheek" in 1943. This work established his characteristic style of combining social commentary with broad humor and wordplay. Through the 1940s and 1950s, Shulman produced several successful novels including "The Zebra Derby" and "Rally Round the Flag, Boys!" The latter was adapted into a film starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, further cementing Shulman's reputation in popular culture. Beyond his novels and television work, Shulman wrote humor columns for various publications and created advertising copy, including the well-known "Compare with other leading brands" cigarette campaign for Marlboro in the 1950s. His influence on American humor writing extended well beyond his death, with his work serving as a bridge between the collegiate humor of the 1940s and the social satire of later decades.

Readers appreciate Shulman's humor and social commentary from the 1940s-50s college scene. His sharp wit and absurdist style receive frequent mentions in reviews. Readers liked: - Fast-paced comedic timing - Satirical takes on American culture and academia - Clever wordplay and running gags - Character development in the Dobie Gillis stories Common criticisms: - Dated references and slang - Some jokes that haven't aged well - Plot structures can feel formulaic - Overuse of certain comedic devices On Goodreads, "Rally Round the Flag, Boys!" averages 3.8/5 stars from 89 ratings. "Barefoot Boy with Cheek" rates 3.9/5 from 67 ratings. Amazon reviews are limited but positive, with readers noting the "laugh-out-loud moments" and "biting satire of university life." One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The humor holds up surprisingly well after 70+ years." Another noted: "Some of the cultural references are lost on modern readers, but the core comedy still works."

Barefoot Boy with Cheek (1943) Campus novel following the adventures of a naive freshman at the University of Minnesota during the 1940s.

The Zebra Derby (1946) Story of a young man who becomes involved in the world of horse racing and gambling in post-war America.

The Feather Merchants (1944) Tale of a soldier's misadventures during World War II while stationed at a military base in Texas.

Sleep Till Noon (1950) Chronicles the life of a young man who inherits money and decides to pursue a life of idleness in New York City.

Rally Round the Flag, Boys! (1957) Novel about the impact of a Nike missile base installation on a suburban Connecticut town during the Cold War.

I Was a Teen-Age Dwarf (1959) Collection of stories featuring Dobie Gillis, a teenager dealing with love, family, and growing up in mid-century America.

Anyone Got a Match? (1964) Satirical look at the tobacco industry, television, and advertising in 1960s America.

Potatoes Are Cheaper (1971) Story set in Depression-era Minnesota about a young Jewish man's attempts to attend college while supporting his family.

P.G. Wodehouse writes humorous fiction about upper-class British society with misunderstandings and witty dialogue. His Jeeves series features similar situational comedy and satirical observations found in Shulman's work.

Joseph Heller combines absurdist humor with social commentary in his novels about military life and bureaucracy. His characters navigate ridiculous situations while exposing institutional flaws, similar to Shulman's approach in works like "Rally Round the Flag, Boys!"

S.J. Perelman crafted comic essays and short pieces for magazines like The New Yorker in the mid-20th century. His work shares Shulman's sharp wit and commentary on American culture through humor.

Jean Shepherd wrote autobiographical humor pieces about American life in the mid-20th century, focusing on childhood and family experiences. His narrative style combines nostalgia with humor in a way that parallels Shulman's observations of youth and society.

Robert Benchley produced humor essays and columns about everyday life in the early-to-mid 1900s. His work features the same type of observational comedy and satire of American society that characterizes Shulman's writing.