Behind the smile.

[*ClassicPinUp*]

I just finished reading Art Carney's Biography by Michael Seth Starr & have to say it was kind of depressing. I knew Art had a drinking problem but never knew it was that severe nor did I know he had "severe depression." He hid his pain so well, to well. I was happy to find out he enjoyed playing "Norton" so much..total opposite of who he was so I guess it really was his "escape."

With all that said it was a very good book about Art, if you can get past the occasional Jackie bashing *anyone else notice that?*. Will say it's not a book to read if you only want to picture Carney as happy-go-lucky "Norton." What's in that book will definitely conflict with that image he put on.

*Just wanted to edit & say the Jackie "bashing" was done by the author not Carney. Could have worded it better :)*

Anyone else read this one? Any opinions?

[W.B.]

I just finished reading Art Carney's Biography by Michael Seth Starr & have to say it was kind of depressing. I knew Art had a drinking problem but never knew it was that severe nor did I know he had "severe depression." He hid his pain so well, to well. I was happy to find out he enjoyed playing "Norton" so much..total opposite of who he was so I guess it really was his "escape."

With all that said it was a very good book about Art, if you can get past the occasional Jackie bashing *anyone else notice that?*. Will say it's not a book to read if you only want to picture Carney as happy-go-lucky "Norton."

Anyone else read this one? Any opinions?
I've read the book. I don't have it, but I've read it. As for the "Jackie-bashing" viz Mr. Carney - I seem to recall William Henry III did that in his Gleason bio, The Great One. It did seem that there was a certain degree of jealousy on Mr. Gleason's part towards Mr. Carney, his public pronouncements of "Art's 90% responsible for the success of The Honeymooners" notwithstanding. Or (correct me if I'm mistaken on the details) Jackie's calling Art upon the latter's winning an Oscar for Harry and Tonto - and then calling Ellen Burstyn after she won for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (she'd once been a Glea Girl or some equivalent way back when, I.I.N.M.).

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Who is this William Henry III? I know Starr makes several mentions of him in his book. Was he someone who knew Jackie? Or just another author?
Stupid question I'm sure but I'm new to all these names & very curious.

[T-Greg]

Who is this William Henry III? I know Starr makes several mentions of him in his book. Was he someone who knew Jackie? Or just another author?
Stupid question I'm sure but I'm new to all these names & very curious.

I don't think William Henry even knew Gleason. He was probably the equivalent of Kitty Kelly who did all of those "expose" books on different people..Nancy Reagan, etc. See link:

http://www.amazon.com/Great-One-Legend-Jackie-Gleason/dp/0385415338/sr=1-9/qid=1163688396/ref=sr_1_9/104-8392873-4284752?ie=UTF8&s=books

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Thanks for the link. It was very helpful.

[Bill S.]

I never got around to picking this up but I'd like to soon. The thing that's always been a bit confusing to me is Art's drinking problem. From what I can tell, Art had stopped drinking around the time he met Gleason and that might've had to do with why him and Gleason weren't so close. I think Audrey mentioned something in her book about how they didn't have much in common because Jackie liked to drink and have a good time but Art didn't drink and kept to himself a lot. Then I read elsewhere that Jackie was just a casual drinker and Art was the one that had the drinking problem. So many conflicting stories...:crazy:

[*ClassicPinUp*]

I've heard the same stories. In this book it says something along the lines of -Jackie would be out drinking with friends & someone would say let's call Art he likes the "sauce"- Art Carney also said a few things about his drinking during this time but the problem was more under "control" than it was after. I wonder if Audrey was just blind to it or if out of respect for a friend she didn't mention it. I also think it had to do with the fact the Gleason drank for fun, or so it seemed while Art actually used it as a way to deal with his "lows."
All I know was it was very sad to imagine such a handsome, talented man passed out here, curled up on a bathroom floor there :( made me just want to step back in time & give the guy a hug.

[Bill S.]

All I know was it was very sad to imagine such a handsome, talented man passed out here, curled up on a bathroom floor there :( made me just want to step back in time & give the guy a hug.
Yes, it's very sad picturing the happy, care-free Norton we all know and love as a depressed alcoholic. With the exception of Joyce, it seems like they all had their share of off-camera problems...Jackie with his excessive drinking and smoking, Art with his drinking and Audrey with her smoking, which eventually led to her untimely death. Frank Marth was a heavy smoker as well, and listening to recent interviews with him is almost unbearable due to the effect it had on his voice...I could only imagine what Jackie's voice would have sounded like had he lived to this day. :(