Winch

Rating:
Summary: "WINCH": A CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Review: ( Amazon was recently persuaded to remove my previous review of this book, so I've cleaned it up a bit. Hopefully this one won't offend any guilty parties. The names have been withheld to protect the shame-faced. )

Finally! This bright little tome is being reviewed by honest people who've actually READ it. I notice that the overall reviewer rating suddenly shot up - from 1 1/2 stars to 4 stars overnight.

This will make at least one person very unhappy.

It seems that a certain relation of Mr. Winchell's sat back and allowed her radio listeners to filibuster this site with phony negative "reviews", in order to artificially lower the book's star rating prior to its release. Whether she encouraged this childish behavior or not, the fact remains she was aware of it, and did nothing to put a stop to it.

They were very nearly successful, too, until someone ( me ) blew the whistle on the whole thing.

This is as it should be. Amazon's Reader Feedback Forum was meant to be a genuine discourse on the merits of diverse publications - for the benefit of potential buyers - by the people who've read them. And nothing else

Anyway, here's what's left of my original review:

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this charming book - by and about the multi-faceted ventriloquist Paul Winchell. Millions of baby boomers fondly remember him as Jerry Mahoney & Knucklehead Smiff's TV papa from the beloved Space-Age kiddie show WINCHELL / MAHONEY TIME. But did you also know he's a brilliantly accomplished artist? (I didn't.) His beautiful canvases are absolutely museum-quality. He's also an inspired inventor, and holds a patent on the world's first working artificial heart. Versatile, to say the least. So imagine my surprise when I read...

...as for the rest of Amazon's readers, I can fully recommend this most excellent read about a true Hollywood hero who has delighted millions over three generations. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Superb, Undeniable Talent
Review: A lot may be said about Winchell but there is no denying the incredible amount of talent possesed by this comic genius. Comedy is a whole different game these days. Today's so called comedians rely on sexual content and gross out gags to elicit laughs from the audience. Winchell is a throwback to the days where content mattered, a sharp wit was necessary and a dry, throwaway remark could have you rolling on the floor in laughter. It's a travestry that Winchell doesn't have a national forum to showcase these talents. A comedic genius like Winchell deserves their own show, whether it be on radio or tv, plain and simple. Winch, your humor has provided me with some of the loudest and longest laughs I've ever had.

Rating:
Summary: Would be wonderful if it was at least 1/2 true- but it isn't
Review: The post claiming "A certain relation" (His ONLY DAUGHTER- who was not even MENTIONED in the book) inspired non-readers to write reviews is completely false. I happen to know the "relation" and I know for a fact she did not "ask her listeners" to write reviews, and as for his claim she did nothing about it- exactly what would she do to stop them? Call Amazon? That people wrote in with venom is not a reflection of his daughter, but rather of Paul himself. It's the fear of this sort of thing that keeps most people from abusing their children- the fear of having it blow up in your face. It is unfortunate that Paul did not think of this before writing this fictional biography- but alas, he did not. Payback sucks, no matter who you are. I also know the ex-wife he literally trashes in this book. I know she is a wonderful, funny and very talented woman who certainly did nothing to deserve to be portrayed as a shrew. Her only mistake was to marry Paul. I assure you- I read the book. It was awful, and very, very sad.

While he's accomplished many, many wonderful things- writing honestly about his life is NOT one of them. For that, I believe this book is bad.

As a work of fantasy, it certainly captivates. But as a biography, it leaves far too many chunks MIA. I wish I could simply re-write my life- but the words do not change reality.

Paul battled many demons, and unfortunately lost. I feel sorry for him- such a comic genius, yet such a failure in life as a father and as a husband, but rather than helping to heal the pain and perhaps inspire someone somewhere to maybe NOT torment their children with horrible mental games like telling their young daughter that her mother was not actually shopping, but that she was dead. DEAD! What kind of children's entertainer does something like that? A mentally insane one, that's who. One who really needs to stop taking the drugs. Or at least switch drugs.

So read the book- have plenty of salt on hand- and you will witness a sad attempt at redemption through denial.

I for one do not forgive child abuse so easily. In fact, not at all. If there was any indication that he was sorry in this book, this review would be very different.

Since there is no apology- or even an acknowledgement- this book deserves a fat thumb down.

Paul, please- before it's too late- face up to your mistakes, make some amends, ask for forgiveness- then, and only then- you will feel better. Don't put it off- don't die with this hanging over you!

I'd love to respect you again. I have hope...