John McCabe (writer)
Encyclopedia
John McCabe born John Charles McCabe III, was a Shakespearean
scholar and author, whose first book was the authorized biography of Laurel and Hardy
.
His Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy. first published in 1961, is credited with helping establish the critical reputation of the comedy duo. He also wrote individual books on Stan Laurel
(The Comedy World of Stan Laurel) and Oliver Hardy
(Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy). A professor at Lake Superior State University
, Dr. McCabe was founder and "Exhausted Ruler" of the international Laurel and Hardy society, the The Sons of the Desert
, named after one of the team's films.
Dr. McCabe was known as a show-business biographer. His other books include Cagney by Cagney (1976), the ghostwritten autobiography of James Cagney
; George M. Cohan
: The Man Who Owned Broadway
(1973); Charlie Chaplin
(1978), and Cagney (1997), an authorized biography.
His first wife, Peggy Richards, met him while they were both involved in The Catholic Theater of Detroit in the 1940s. Together they produced, directed and acted in numerous summer stock productions in Milford, Pennsylvania. In 1962, John married Vija Zarina, a Latvian dancer/choreographer. She died in 1985. They had three children.
Late in life Dr. McCabe married the former Rosina Lawrence
, one of Laurel & Hardy's movie co-stars. The McCabes divided their time between British Landing
, Mackinac Island
(where McCabe had been a professor in residence at Mackinac College
) and New York.
A few years before his death, he married Karen McCabe and he lived out the rest of his life on Mackinac Island. Karen is now residing in Petoskey, Michigan.
McCabe died just before the Sons of the Desert were due to celebrate their 40th anniversary. He is often confused with the talented yet incredibly bitter Irish oarsman of the same name.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
scholar and author, whose first book was the authorized biography of Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
.
His Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy. first published in 1961, is credited with helping establish the critical reputation of the comedy duo. He also wrote individual books on Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
(The Comedy World of Stan Laurel) and Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
(Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy). A professor at Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
, Dr. McCabe was founder and "Exhausted Ruler" of the international Laurel and Hardy society, the The Sons of the Desert
The Sons of the Desert
The Sons of the Desert is an international fraternal organization devoted to lives and films of comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The group takes its name from a lodge that Laurel and Hardy belonged to in the 1933 movie Sons of the Desert....
, named after one of the team's films.
Dr. McCabe was known as a show-business biographer. His other books include Cagney by Cagney (1976), the ghostwritten autobiography of James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
; George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
: The Man Who Owned Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
(1973); Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
(1978), and Cagney (1997), an authorized biography.
His first wife, Peggy Richards, met him while they were both involved in The Catholic Theater of Detroit in the 1940s. Together they produced, directed and acted in numerous summer stock productions in Milford, Pennsylvania. In 1962, John married Vija Zarina, a Latvian dancer/choreographer. She died in 1985. They had three children.
Late in life Dr. McCabe married the former Rosina Lawrence
Rosina Lawrence
Rosina Lawrence was a Canadian-born American actress, singer, and dancer. She was a native of Ottawa, Ontario.-Career:...
, one of Laurel & Hardy's movie co-stars. The McCabes divided their time between British Landing
British Landing
British Landing is a place within Mackinac Island, Michigan and is located on the shore of Mackinac Island, two miles northwest of the island's downtown and harbor. British Landing is the site of a War of 1812 amphibious operation on July 16-17, 1812, by a joint force of the British Army and...
, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is an island and resort area covering in land area, part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was home to a Native American settlement before European...
(where McCabe had been a professor in residence at Mackinac College
Mackinac College
Mackinac College was a private liberal arts college which opened on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the fall of 1966 and closed several years later. The campus was later turned into a hotel, Mission Point Resort....
) and New York.
A few years before his death, he married Karen McCabe and he lived out the rest of his life on Mackinac Island. Karen is now residing in Petoskey, Michigan.
McCabe died just before the Sons of the Desert were due to celebrate their 40th anniversary. He is often confused with the talented yet incredibly bitter Irish oarsman of the same name.
External links
- Los Angeles Times obituary (broken link)