Jack and Walter

by Costello, Ben

• ISBN13: 9781589851184
• ISBN10: 1589851188
• Edition: Limited
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-03-10
• Publisher: Five Star Pubns

Summary

Jack & Walter follows the intersection of Lemmon and Matthau's careers, starting in 1966 with their first screen-pairing in The Fortune Cookie and continuing through their last laugh filled romp in The Odd Couple II in 1998. With Lemmon representing America's favorite everyman and Matthau characterizing the beloved grouchy brother-in-law, the dynamic duo made millions of moviegoers smile every time the two appeared in darkened theatres across the nation - if not the world.Though both had remarkable solo careers, together their work cemented their positions in Hollywood history as the last great comedy team of the 20th Century.In recognition of the pair's remarkable cinematic achievements, author Ben Costello - who became their life-long fan after meeting Lemmon on two memorable occasions and corresponding with Matthau - produced this memorable testament to the friends who made each motion picture come alive. With complete biographies of both Lemmon and Matthau, full credits and storylines for all 11 films, more than 100 publicity and behind-the-scenes photographs, and memories from co-workers and co-stars including some of Hollywood's biggest stars, Jack & Walter: The Films Of Lemmon & Matthau will be a favorite for fans and historians alike.

Author Biography

Ben Costello is a self-confessed film and television buff. Starting as young as age five, he appeared onstage in a variety of dramatic and comedic roles. Through the years, Costello won awards for acting, directing and writing. He wrote, produced and co-starred in The Whitley & Costello Show for cable television in 1979. With the blessing of Lucille Hardy Price, widow of comedian Oliver Hardy, Costello took the classic Laurel and Hardy movie Way Out West and adapted it for the stage, in 1987. In 1988, his play titled Company B debuted. A slapstick musical tribute to World War II, the show, was so popular it spawned five stage sequels. For his work on the production, Costello won Best Actor, Director, Writer and Production awards from various Southern California Theatre Leagues. Along with fellow comedian John Babrowski, Costello, who is not related to Lou Costello, played in casinos and clubs from New York to Las Vegas, frequently portraying characters similar to Abbott and Costello. In fact, Babrowski and Ben Costello performed the classic "Who's On First" routine at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, to kick off the 2000 World Series. Honored, they were the first to do so since Abbott and Costello performed the skit there 44 years earlier. Together, Babrowski and Costello made their motion picture debut in the Sci-Fi spoof Cyxork 7 starring Ray Wise û a film that attained a cult following. In 2005, Costello published his first book Gunsmoke: An American Institution - an award-winning tribute to the great Western television series (visit www.50YearsofGunsmoke.com). His second book, Jack & Walter: The Films of Lemmon and Matthau, is available to the public in January 2009. A divorced father of one, Costello lives in the desert community of Joshua Tree, California. He enjoys the company of family and friends, especially his 12-year-old son Eddie, and when time permits, a good Maduro cigar.