READERSVOICE.COM aims to give a few samples from interesting out of print books. This issue features a 1955 book by Joey Adams entitled Strictly for Laughs, published by Frderick Fell, Inc, New York. Joey Adams (1911-1999) was a comedian, vaudevillian, radio host, nightclub performer, author and tv show presenter. His wife Cindy Adams, whom he married in 1952, still occasionally writes a column for the New York Post.

Here are some anecdotes from Strictly for Laughs. It features a lot of good rapid-fire jokes in the 1950s style.

Mr Adams writes: Jack Pearl, Showbusiness’ famed Baron Munchausen, swears this happened: This Brooklyn theatre manager was always bragging about his education and always thought he was too good for the neighbourhood. One day he received a picture entitled “The Optimist.” He called his staff together and said haughtily, “We’ve got to change this title to something easier. We are intelligent and know what an optimist is, but the morons who come to see the picture… will they know it’s an eye doctor?”

And: The passenger was screaming at the porter from his upper berth. “These shoes you returned don’t match!”

“That’s funny,” puzzled the porter. “You’re the second person this morning who made the same complaint.”

And: Columnist Miss Marie Torre confided this tale: The actor was talking about his home being filled with his wife’s relatives. “My house looks so much like a hotel,” he cried, “last night I caught myself stealing my own towels.”

-continued next page

-readersvoice.com