Attempted Bloggery: Phyllis Diller

Showing posts with label Phyllis Diller. Show all posts

Friday, March 7, 2014

Drew Friedman's Old Jewish Comedians

Those familiar with this blog may recall the first opening I ever attended was a Drew Friedman show. Well, I guess I haven't learned my lesson. Last night I went to the opening of "Drew Friedman's Old Jewish Comedians" at the Society of Illustrators. In attendance were an impressive array of old and not-so-old Jewish comedians, titans of illustration, media luminaries, Mad magazine legends, and distinguished graduates of the School of Visual Arts--but by the time I got there they were mostly upstairs at the buffet.

http://drewfriedman.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-jewish-comedians-at-society-of.html

Drew Friedman's small originals reproduce well at poster size. Here's Buddy Hackett all blown up.

The cash bar upstairs was doing a brisk business at the time this photo was taken downstairs.

Drew Friedman, Jack Gilford, 2007

Drew Friedman, The Marx Brothers
A Night at the Opera
Limited edition print, 2012

Drew Friedman, Al Lewis, Original artwork for Old Jewish Comedians

Drew Friedman, Zeppo & Gummo Marx, 2007

Drew Friedman, Henny Youngman, 2007
Henny Youngman, Preliminary pencil artwork

Drew Friedman, Mel Blanc
Original back cover art to Even More Old Jewish Comedians

Drew Friedman, Vernon Dent and the Three Stooges
Original artwork for a limited edition print, 2009

Drew Friedman, Groucho Marx
Book cover art for Raised Eyebrows by Steve Stoliar, 2010

Drew Friedman, Zero Mostel & Gene Wilder
DVD cover art for "The Producers" (2013)

Drew Friedman, Woody Allen
Original artwork for "The Power Geezers"
The New York Observer, 2005

Drew Friedman, Jack Benny, 2007
Jack Benny, Preliminary pencil artwork

Drew Friedman, Soupy Sales, 2007

Drew Friedman, Jackie Mason, 2007

Drew Friedman, Mel Brooks, 2007

Drew Friedman, Jerry Stiller

Drew Friedman, Zero Mostel, 2007

Drew Friedman, Joe E. Ross, 2007
Joe E. Ross, Preliminary pencil artwork

Drew Friedman, Howard Morris

Drew Friedman, Victor Borge
Victor Borge, Preliminary pencil artwork

Drew Friedman, The One... the Only...Groucho!
Limited edition print no. 3/10, 2011

Drew Friedman, Larry Storch, 2007
Larry Storch, Preliminary pencil artwork

Drew Friedman, Phyllis Diller, 2007

Drew Friedman, The Marx Bros.,
Original artwork for Old Jewish Comedians, 2005
Groucho Marx
Preliminary pencil artwork for Old Jewish Comedians

Note: Earlier blog posts about Drew Friedman may be seen here.

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

A Caricature of Phyllis Diller by Ronald Searle

Two weeks ago I discussed an eBay sale of original TV Guide magazine cover art, caricatures
by the late, great Ronald Searle of "All in the Family" cast members Carroll O'Connor and
Jean Stapleton. The original artwork, probably the first to be offered anywhere since the artist's
death on December 30, sold with the Buy It Now feature within 24 hours of its listing.

Now the same seller is offering another scarce piece of original Searle artwork, a caricature of
comedienne Phyllis Diller also commissioned, we are told, by TV Guide. The artwork, which
was not used as a magazine cover, dates circa 1972 according to the seller, the same year as
the "All in the Family" cover. I do not know in what issue it was published or, indeed, if it ever
actually saw print, but I do know that TV Guide's Fall Preview issue of September 14-20, 1968
had an article on Phyllis Diller. This 1968 issue then certainly could have featured this
illustration, particularly as this piece clearly bears an earlier Searle signature than the 1972
"All in the Family" cover art. I would welcome any information any reader might have as to its
publication history. Until I know more, I'm going to tentatively date this artwork to 1968. I've
included in this post a photograph of the actress from approximately this date as well. For
whatever it's worth, I don't think this caricature is as successful as the "All in the Family"
cover.

Lightning did not strike twice, and this artwork did not sell within the first 24 hours of its 30-day
listing on eBay. The Buy It Now price is again $4,500. There is no Make Offer option.
Shipping is $100.

Ronald Searle Phyllis Diller, c. 1968 for TV Guide

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-ARTWORK-RONALD-SEARLE-TV-GUIDE-PORTRAIT-OF-PHYLLIS-DILLER-CA-1968-/390385247985?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item5ae4c626f1&nma=true&si=E8sqr5T1Ol7skfXMFhzdqWsJpdo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-ARTWORK-RONALD-SEARLE-TV-GUIDE-PORTRAIT-PHYLLIS-DILLER-CA-1972-/390385247985?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item5ae4c626f1#ht_852wt_1180

Phyllis Diller, c. 1968

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2492897280/nm0226887

January 30, 2012 Update: The seller has updated the listing to reflect a probable date for this drawing of approximately 1968 rather than 1972, noting that 1968 witnessed the premier of "The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show." Specifically, the seller now states, "Most likely this piece was created to promote 'The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show' ca 1968, but was unused."

February 1, 2012: This auction listing now has a Make Offer option, which means the seller will consider offers of less than $4,500. Matt Jones has revealed here that the seller will accept an offer of $4,000, so if you've been sitting on the fence about this one, take note.

February 3, 2012: The Buy It Now price has been reduced to $3,500 and the Make Offer option withdrawn.

February 8, 2012: The Buy It Now price was reduced again to $3,000. The seller is clearly looking to move this piece.

February 12, 2012: The Buy It Now price has been lowered to $2,500.

February 23, 2012: The listing was ended by the seller on February 20 because the item was no longer available. This cryptic statement can mean almost anything, from that the item found a buyer outside of eBay to that the seller no longer wishes to sell.