Page 19 - The Jewish Voice - April '21
P. 19
The Jewish Voice, Page 19
Book Review from page 18
aLL about kids
Sarnoff and William Paley. brilliant actor without whom there would have been no Archie
Although instructed to keep Bunker. But he points out that O’Connor had an unusual problem
the news confidential until with fright at rehearsals, wanting to change the script almost
the official announcement is every week for nine years, and threatening to quit over and over Beth David’s Preschool
made, Lear decides to call again. Lear’s years as writer, producer, creator and/or director
his mother in the hope that for such hits as the early Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis shows; Butterflies
perhaps, for the first time in George Gobel; Andy Williams; Maude; The Jeffersons; Mary
his life, she will acknowledge Hartman, Mary Hartman; Good Times; Sanford and Son; One Spring is
him as worthy and deserving. Day at a Time; Fernwood 2 Night, as well as such movies as here and with
(We have learned earlier of Come Blow Your Horn; Divorce American Style; Cold Turkey, it come new
his difficult childhood: His and others, provide many interesting anecdotes. beginnings
father, a crook, but whom he Lear takes his love of country very seriously. When he and growth.
worshipped, was sent to jail learned that the Declaration of Independence document that The children
for three years when Norman he had seen on display in Washington, D.C., was not the only of Temple
was 9 years old; his mother left original of its kind, but that several copies had been printed in Beth David
with the daughter, leaving Norman with relatives and neighbors 1776 because not all of those who were to sign it could be present Preschool
until his father was released.) at the same time to examine it – and that the only copy in private learned what is Jewish
When his mother hears the news of her son’s induction into hands was going to be on auction – he arranged to bid on it. He about butterflies. In
the TV Academy’s Hall of Fame, she replies, “Listen, if that’s won the bid at $8 million, had a major architect/designer create springtime, we see
what they want to do, who am I to say?” a mobile exhibit, and took the Declaration through all 50 states many different kinds of
(Having strived for more than half a century to earn an for ten years on what became a major celebratory tour so that butterflies flying around.
expression of pride from his mother – in vain – Lear finally millions of Americans could see an original copy of their beloved We have a butterfly
describes her as a “farbissiner ... another Yiddish word, which is document. garden at the preschool
most easily translated as ‘sourpuss.’ But a sourpuss is a farbissiner There are many hilarious moments in the book, as Lear and the children were able
in the face only. A true farbissiner is a sour soul. Sour souls stain describes his close, endearing friendships with Mel Brooks, to observe the caterpillars
the company they keep. They wake up to piss on the day, and Carl and Rob Reiner, Dom DeLuise, and so very many others. eating the milkweed,
not just their day. A farbissiner doesn’t earn the title until she is He has especially kind words for Frank Sinatra’s generosity. making their way to
pissing on your day, too.”) Sinatra had long admired the great actor Lee J. Cobb for his the wall to create their
Despite his many successes, all has not been a bed of roses in classic performance in the Broadway play, Death of a Salesman. chrysalis , and eventually
Lear’s life. It’s been a roller coaster that includes two divorces – Later in his life, Cobb was very ill and bedridden. When Sinatra emerging as butterflies.
the first from a suicidal wife, the second from a woman who felt learned of it, he sent a nurse to Cobb’s home with a message that This experience
her own feeling of self-worth decline with each of her husband’s Sinatra would be going on tour for almost a year, and insisting embodies many Jewish
new successes. However, marriage number three, in 1987, has that Cobb be moved to the singer’s Palm Springs lavish home, values, such as ma’aseh
been magic – a deliriously happy one. But he doesn’t flinch where he had arranged, and paid for, a staff of full-time nurses. b’reishit, the miracle
from his own faults and covers them with as much honesty, both Family plays a very big part in Lear’s life. His descriptions of creation; and tza’ar
positive and sharply negative, as he describes the many famous of travels with Lyn, his present wife of 30 years, are rapturous. ba’alei chayim, kindness
people he has worked with over the decades. He is very close to his five daughters and one son, two of those to animals. The lifecycle
This book really takes you behind the scenes in the world daughters (twins) decided upon when he was 70. of butterflies was taught
of big-time television and films, from frustrating conferences Even This I Get to Experience offers little-known facts and in the classrooms and the children were able to observe in
at network and studio headquarters where new show ideas are entertainment on every page. There is also a 16-page section real time the miracle of the transformation from caterpillar
proposed and pitched, to the on-set rehearsals – sometimes, of photographs covering Norman Lear’s life, from childhood to butterfly! This lesson led to discussions of kindness,
most shockingly in the case of the enormously successful All through the war years to the present day, including many of his creation, and growth. Investigation of butterflies, through
in the Family, when there was constant fighting. Lear offers TV and movie friends. Even this you can experience for yourself. play and stories, helped the children learn all about them.
magnanimous praise for Carroll O’Connor, whom he calls a Do it. You will feel as though you just received an award.
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