ALL HIS JAZZ: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JAZZ FOSSE, by Martin Gottfried (author of theater books and former chief drama critic for WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY, NEW YORK POST, and SATURDAY REVIEW), Dec. 1990 1st edition 2nd printing, Bantam Books (New York), 9.25 x 6.25-inch HB with embossed gold lettering at linen-clad spine; DJ, 483 pp. printed on quality, very softly cream-colored, matte-finished stock; near-excellent condition (book is clean and tightly bound with bright covers and unusually bright pages at age 34; 16-page B&W photo section printed on semi-thick, white, glossy stokk looks new; only flaw is small bump at tip of lower front corner; DJ is near-excellent - bright, clean and fully intact with light curling at front edges and a pair of crinkle each at upper rear edge and spine corner; $24.95 at upper front edge).
PLEASE NOTE: The author inscribed warmly and signed his first name in fine blue marker on the front flyleaf ("For Joan / Thank you so very much for your help. You are as elegant as your dad. Martin". *Attached to the inside front cover opposite the signed flyleaf is a small, lined note with Joan Benny printed at the top.
*I acquired this at Joan Benny's Beverly Hills estate sale after her death in 2020. She was Jack Benny's daughter who was born in New York in 1934 to Jack and his Vancouver-born and raised wife Mary Livingstone, who became his comedy partner on radio, appeared with him in several films, and later on 58 episodes of THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM (1951-1963). Joan stood in for her Mom several times on the radio show, and as an aspiring actress appeared on popular entertainment and quiz shows, but her career never took off. She was married 3 times, had 4 kids, and was an active show biz personality for decades, connected and well-liked.
This is a comprehensive, well-sourced bio of one of Broadway and Hollywood's most celebrated music-and-dance icons. Among his accomplishments, he was the only person to win in a single calendar year an Oscar for directing CABARET, a Tony for directing PIPPIN, and an Emmy Award for directing the TV special LIZA WITH A Z. Roy Scheider played him in the Fosse-directed film bio ALL THAT JAZZ. and he directed Dustin Hoffman as Lenny Bruce in LENNY. A lifelong womanizer and drug and alcohol abuser, he was married to the love of his life - actress-dancer Gwen Verdon, for many years, but it was stressful for her. He almost defined "troubled, self-destructive" artist, but his pioneering dance style and brilliant body of work endure. The photo section is terrific.
There are many PBs and HBs on eBay, but none are signed. The other major book (and everything else) site has no signed copies. The signed copy I found on Google-listed ABE (American Book Exchange), is in very good condition and accompanied by a cover photo only. The listing indicates the author signed his full name. It's $75.00 + $5.00 shipping. Its pages are somewhat toned and there's a bit of edge wear, also the NY Times review "laid in".My copy's much more collectible, even if the author only signed his first name, based on condition and the built-in provenance of a sheet of Jane Benny' personal note paper at the inside front cover.
The Buy-It-Now price of $45.00 includes shipping bubble-wrapped in a cardboard box via media mail insured, which takes around 7 days with tracking, less in California.