The Boston Globe, June 11th, 1989
Martin F. Nolan is editor of the Globe's editorial page. Garrison Keillor, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Bob and Ray, Woody Allen -- all owe him a debt. He was "the thinking man's comedian," which means he made people laugh hard, pause and ponder why, then laugh again. In "Fred Allen: His Life and Wit," Robert Taylor, the Globe's art critic, ransacks the lore of theater, radio and television, placing Allen's talent in context. The saga of vaudeville barons Keith and Albee includes a novel vaudevillian phrase, a "chaser" -- an act bad enough to chase out customers. Allen invented an American staple,...
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