Mack & Mabel

Mack & Mabel recounts the romance between silent film director Mack Sennett and actress Mabel Normand during the early days of Hollywood. The story moves between 1938 and earlier decades as Sennett reflects on his career and relationship with Normand. Set against the backdrop of the film industry's transformation from silent pictures to talkies, the narrative traces Normand's journey from waitress to star. The plot centers on the creative and personal dynamics between Sennett, known for slapstick comedy, and Normand, who aspires to more dramatic roles. The book captures the energy and innovation of early Hollywood while examining the price of ambition and fame. Through the central relationship, it presents perspectives on art, commerce, and the evolution of American cinema.

There appear to be very few reader reviews for the book "Mack & Mabel" by Michael Stewart online. This likely stems from confusion between reviews of the 1974 Broadway musical's script/libretto versus reviews of the live stage production itself. What limited reviews exist focus on: Likes: - The integration of early Hollywood history and real events - The romance storyline between Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand - Stewart's tight dialogue and narrative structure Dislikes: - Difficulty separating fact from fiction in the story - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Historical accuracy issues noted by silent film buffs Online Ratings/Reviews: Goodreads: No ratings or reviews found Amazon: No ratings or reviews found for the book version WorldCat: 0 user reviews Note: Most online discussion centers on Jerry Herman's musical score and stage performances rather than Stewart's book itself.

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🎭 Though the musical was not initially successful on Broadway in 1974, it has gained a strong cult following and is now considered one of Jerry Herman's finest scores. 🎬 The show tells the true story of silent film director Mack Sennett and his tumultuous relationship with actress Mabel Normand, who rose from waitress to become one of early Hollywood's biggest stars. 🌟 The original Broadway production starred Robert Preston (of "The Music Man" fame) as Mack Sennett and Bernadette Peters as Mabel Normand. 🎪 Michael Stewart, who wrote the book, also wrote the books for other Broadway classics including "Hello, Dolly!" and "Bye Bye Birdie," both of which won Tony Awards. 🎪 The show features several elaborate musical numbers that pay homage to silent film techniques, including "Hundreds of Girls," which recreates Sennett's famous Bathing Beauties sequences.