The Definitive Steve Martin Lens!
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Steve Martin and Me
What makes this the definitive lens? Well, I don't know, there are some good ones that will be featured here. But doesn't that sound like the kind of title Steve Martin would use to mock himself?
Yes, I know, there are already a lot of lenses on Steve Martin, heck, I counted 10 myself. So what is different here? Well, for one, this one comes from the perspective of a fellow stand up comic. Well, kind of.
But enough about me, lets talk about what I think of Steve Martin.
He is one of the funniest comics I have ever seen. If I were going to a desert island for the rest of my life and could only take one comedy DVD, it would be Steve Martin doing King Tut. That one would create enough endorphins to last me for decades!
He does his comedy without making fun of others. No fat jokes, or even political jokes. His creativity is so high that he doesn't need to, but my guess is that he wouldn't anyway.
Much of the information here was gleaned from Martin's autobiography, Born Standing Up, an interesting read for anyone.
Yes, I know, there are already a lot of lenses on Steve Martin, heck, I counted 10 myself. So what is different here? Well, for one, this one comes from the perspective of a fellow stand up comic. Well, kind of.
But enough about me, lets talk about what I think of Steve Martin.
He is one of the funniest comics I have ever seen. If I were going to a desert island for the rest of my life and could only take one comedy DVD, it would be Steve Martin doing King Tut. That one would create enough endorphins to last me for decades!
He does his comedy without making fun of others. No fat jokes, or even political jokes. His creativity is so high that he doesn't need to, but my guess is that he wouldn't anyway.
Much of the information here was gleaned from Martin's autobiography, Born Standing Up, an interesting read for anyone.
Margo Arrowsmith Learns Stand Up Comedy
EVERYONE SHOULD TRY THIS
I have always romantisized stand up comedy. Well, until I actually learned how to do it and stood up in front of an audience and did a number. Did I say I "learned how to do it"? Well, what I should have said was that I took a class and then performed at the adult recital that was part of the tuition.And yes, everyone should do it.
It took the course because a collegue of mine had done it. I had always thought it would be the coolest life in the world, better than running away to join the circus. Heck, you were your own boss, stand up comedians are really the entrepreneurs of entertainment. They write and produce their own stuff. They don't have to be hired by anybody. If nothing else they can stand on the corner and tell jokes for change. Free, independent...
Then I took the course and realized how much work it is. Paula Poundstone makes it look so easy, just have nice conversations with strangers in front of thousands of people, and make it look funny, no big deal.
The class was taught by a local comedian, a pretty good one, and I soon learned what a struggle it is. I learned about writing and technique and wow, there is a lot to it. I learned about the importance of threes...Brett Butler is a great example of that, but a lot of comics use it.
It began to remind me of my pottery class. I wanted to learn to throw pots. The text book started out bluntly. 'We love to teach classes, classes make customers. People learn just exactly how hard it is to do and they appreciate the artist more and start to buy'. I paraphrase, but the author was correct. That is when I started to buy.
My comedy class was much the same. I appreciate the art much more. Being able to spot techniques hasn't dampened my appreciate, but increased it. It also makes me feel a little more like and insider. I have stood waiting to go on, wondering if the person before me is so good that it will make me look worse.
I chose to do a narrative rather than a joke session. I told the story of my search for the ultimate purple cowboy boots. I wore them as I told my story (I still have them!) When I finally found them in a store on 9th Street in "The Village" in Manhattan, the store had a pit bull just inside the door with a sign that said "Beware of the Dog". I managed to get a few giggles out of it, believe it or not.
However, my concern wasn't whether people would laugh, well not the major one. My biggest concern was that if no one laughed, I wouldn't be able to continue. Well, I don't remember much, I do know that they weren't rolling in the isles, and I stayed and finished I did not run off the stage. This meant more to me than getting laughs!
Reading Steve Martin's autobiography I learn that this is what most comics go through at the beginning and for him for ten or more years. Just stay on the stage and keep doing it!
So I didn't become a comic. That is best for everyone. However, I did become more of a connoisseur. I learned a few things that you will find on this lens.
Oh, and btw, the picture isn't me, just an idol of mine.
Young Steve Martin and the Disneyland Years
Steve Martin began his career as a boy selling maps of Disneyland in the morning. This gave him some change in his pocket, more importantly free access to the park. He spent hours at the free shows, getting ideas and learning about show business.There were days spent in the magic shops where he learned to use magic tricks as a foundation for his comedy act. He eventually got a job in a shop. The magic demonstrations were actually his first performances.
Years later, after years of struggle, just as his career was starting to soar, a reviewer described his act as "Disneyland on acid".
Steve Martin
"I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper"
Steve Martin: Comedy Writer
Steve Martin's first job in mainstream show business was as a writer for the Smothers Brothers Show. He says that his audition writing was so bad that his girlfriend's friend, not only hired him out of pity, but paid his salary out of his own pocket. Steven Martin got some breaks, but doesn't hesitate to talk about it. Steve Martin Learns On The Road
While the picture here is later in his future, it is the flexibility he showed traveling around the country that got him on that cover.After the writing gigs dried up (the Smothers Brothers were canceled for anti-Nixon activity) Steve traveled the country. Occasionally he played prestigious venues such as (what he called) the soul sucking Playboy Clubs. But often he just played where ever he could.
One night he played in a classroom at Penn State. The students didn't realize the show was over and wouldn't go. When he finally gathered his props and left they followed him. He told them to get into a drained swimming pool, that he would breast stroke over them and it worked. This taught him a lot and he began to become more eccentric.
When the hippy era was ending, he was the first to cut his hair, shave and put on a suit. This made his odd act and him stand out even more.
Steve Martin on Saturday Night Live
Steve Martin has been the guest host on SNL 13 times. so often that some people thought he was a cast member. He is perhaps the only guest host who had a recurring character, the "Wild and Crazy" Brothers.
He has been in some of the most memorable skits in the show's history. I looked for the romantic "Strangers Dance" scene with Gilda Radner and was disappointed that I couldn't find it. If you can tell me where it is, I will put you in my will. (You will get a thank you from my estate!)
I had actually never seen the Elephant Man skit before. And the Coneheads? Nothing more to say there.
He has been in some of the most memorable skits in the show's history. I looked for the romantic "Strangers Dance" scene with Gilda Radner and was disappointed that I couldn't find it. If you can tell me where it is, I will put you in my will. (You will get a thank you from my estate!)
I had actually never seen the Elephant Man skit before. And the Coneheads? Nothing more to say there.
curated content from YouTube
Steve Martin Early Signature
I Think Steve Martin Is the Greatest!
Do You Think Steve Martin Is The Greatest Comic Ever?
No Way Jose, ***** Is Better and Here Is Why!
poddys says:
I wouldn't say that he is THE best, but he is incredibly funny and has an amazing talent.
ChrisDay says:
I think he's right up there but I wouldn't exclude some other greats.
Treasures-By-Brenda says:
I prefer comedy that is quiet and sneaks up on you...
Momsbusy247 says:
Lucille Ball and Carol Burnette are my ideas of the greatest ever. I do think Steve Martin is very talented and I enjoy watching him
You Bet and Here Is Why!
ronberry says:
He has my vote. I find him incredibly funny and had never see "The Great Flydini" bit before. He thinks completely outside the box.
Oosquid says:
The Greatest Comic Ever? OK, Steve is the greatest,
Actually I have lots of comedians who I think are the greatest, Steve Martin is certainly among them.
DecoratingforEvents says:
Lovin' Steve! He always makes me laugh.
darciefrench says:
Yup- he's timeless -:)
JDWheeler says:
I don't know about the greatest EVER, but he definitely holds his own. His timing is superb and that's what makes things funny.
“First the doctor told me the good news: I was going to have a disease named after me”
Steve Martin: He is So Obvious That He is Subtle
Steve Martin Logic
"Boy, those French: They have a different word for everything"
The Man With Two Brains: Arguably One of Steve Martin's Best
This movie is Steve Martin at his best. I never hear it mentioned and it saddens me that too many people probably haven't seen it. Watch all of the videos here, I guarantee, that even out of context, you will get a belly laugh for each and everyone of them.
That is one of the great things about his movies. They can be put into a coherent movie with a plot, yet each scene is a stand alone comedy act that can stand by itself.
That is one of the great things about his movies. They can be put into a coherent movie with a plot, yet each scene is a stand alone comedy act that can stand by itself.
curated content from YouTube
Steve Martin Suffer Two Years for Art: Moonwalking Doesn't Come East
"I'm not sure whose idea it was; it might have been Lorne's. Pat Birch choreographed it. The hard move was that little leg twist that he did. You really have to throw your leg. I did it a thousand times in about three days. And a couple of weeks later I noticed-er, I have a pain here. The pain lasted about two years, then it went away on its own."
This is a tribute to the talents of both Martin and Jackson.
This is a tribute to the talents of both Martin and Jackson.
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Steve Martin as "The Jerk"
Steve Martin developed the idea for and wrote The Jerk his first movie. It contains bits and pieces from his stand-up act. Steve was lucky to get Carl Reiner as the director;
This rags to riches story has an absurdness that is the pure Steve Martin. I venture to say that this is one of his most well known and popular movies.
He plays a white 'boy' who was raised in a poor black family. He is heart broken when he finds out the truth, that he was not a birth child. "You mean I will always be this color?" This was the first attempt at 'color blindness in America.
I am reminded of a remarkable woman who was a foster mother to 7 very disturber girls. One of the girls was African American. They lived in a very white New Jersey Suburb. One day the girl, who was 15 and had lived in the family since she was ten, came home from a school lesson on racial pride. She looked at her blond haired, blue eyed foster mother and informed her, "We are a African American family. I learned that in school today."
Maybe "The Jerk" wasn't so absurd after all.
This rags to riches story has an absurdness that is the pure Steve Martin. I venture to say that this is one of his most well known and popular movies.
He plays a white 'boy' who was raised in a poor black family. He is heart broken when he finds out the truth, that he was not a birth child. "You mean I will always be this color?" This was the first attempt at 'color blindness in America.
I am reminded of a remarkable woman who was a foster mother to 7 very disturber girls. One of the girls was African American. They lived in a very white New Jersey Suburb. One day the girl, who was 15 and had lived in the family since she was ten, came home from a school lesson on racial pride. She looked at her blond haired, blue eyed foster mother and informed her, "We are a African American family. I learned that in school today."
Maybe "The Jerk" wasn't so absurd after all.
curated content from YouTube
Steve Martin in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrals"
This is loosely a remark of "Bedtime Story" with David Niven and Marlon Brando.
In this version Martin plays a fledgling con man to Michael Caine's old line con man. It has been ranked #85 in Bravos top 100 funniest movies.
Martin and Caine begin as rivals in conning wealthy American women who come to the Riviera for vacations and romance. They end up in the same boat as the movie has not only many laughs but an amazing amount of twists and turns for a comedy.
In this version Martin plays a fledgling con man to Michael Caine's old line con man. It has been ranked #85 in Bravos top 100 funniest movies.
Martin and Caine begin as rivals in conning wealthy American women who come to the Riviera for vacations and romance. They end up in the same boat as the movie has not only many laughs but an amazing amount of twists and turns for a comedy.
curated content from YouTube
Steve Martin In Time
Steve Martin on People
Come Visit My Salon!
Did you know that laughing could save your life? Would this make Steve Martin a doctor?
Some of My Favorite Lensmasters on Steve Martin
“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn't funny, but chaos in the midst of order is”
Steve Martin in Pink Panther
Steve Martin Always Something Different
Cafe Press Immortalizes Steve Martin
Stay This Color Dark T-Shirt
Price: $23.99 
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ronberry Jan 29, 2012 @ 4:55 pm | delete
- For me he was at his best at stand-up. His movies were funny (most of them) but his stand-up was hilarious. If I had to pick a movie, I guess Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was pretty funny.
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poddys
Sep 18, 2011 @ 11:46 am | delete
- Great fun lens and a great comedian. His funniest for me is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, I love that movie. Enjoyed my visit and left a blessing behind.
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RetroMom
Mar 27, 2011 @ 11:40 am | delete
- Steve Martin is an extremely talented comic that is for sure. I have enjoyed many of his movies and when he was a regular on SNL.
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7Suze7
Jan 25, 2011 @ 7:16 pm | delete
- I love him
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WildFacesGallery
Jan 23, 2011 @ 5:34 pm | delete
- I love Steve Martin. Even as a kid I used to listen to his records (yeah I know that dates me.) My favorite was "The Cruel Shoes" 35 years later I don't remember why but I can still here him in my head saying.it and it makes me smile. :)
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Steve Martin Has Made a Lot of Movies: Which Are Your Favorites?
I know, this is hard. There are so many good ones and great ones, but go ahead tell us what you think!
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
An ad exec and a shower-curtain-ring salesman beco more...5 points
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
One's got a sophisticated, suave and debonair con more...3 points
The Man with Two Brains
Widowed, world-famous neurosurgeon Michael Hfuhruh more...3 points
Parenthood (Special Edition)
Relive all the heart-warming moments of the unforg more...2 points
Saturday Night Live - The Best of Steve Martin
Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 05/23/2 more...1 point
My Blue Heaven
A comedy about a government witness who gives subu more...1 point
Saturday Night Live: Best of Steve Martin
Although he was never a cast member on SNL, Steve more...0 points
Steve Martin - The Wild and Crazy Comedy Collection (Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid / The Jerk / The Lonely Guy)
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 08/26/2 more...0 points
The Pink Panther (Special Edition)
When a star soccer coach is murdered & his pin more...0 points
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Bonus features: theatrical trailer film highlights more...0 points
Leap of Faith
LEAP OF FAITH stars Steve Martin as Jonas Nighteng more...0 points
Pennies From Heaven
During the Great Depression, a married sheet-music more...0 points
Charlie Rose - An hour with Steve Martin (December 12, 2007)
An hour with actor and comedian Steve Martin about more...0 points
Steve Martin the Author
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin
In the midseventies, Steve Martin exploded onto the more...0 points
The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin
A New York Times BestsellerDaniel Pecan Cambridge, more...0 points
The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z! by Steve Martin, Roz Chast
The acclaimed entertainer and bestselling author Steve more...0 points
Underpants, The by Steve Martin
heobald Maske has an unusual problem: his wife's u more...0 points
Kindly lent their owner: The private collection of Steve Martin by Steve Martin
The private collection of Steve Martin with essays more...0 points
Steve Martin: The Magic Years by Morris Wayne Walker
This book documents the wild and crazy years the a more...0 points
Double Tap by Steve Martin
Thriller !!! Martin keeps the story building to a more...0 points
Steve Martin's "WASP": A Study Guide from Gale's "Drama for Students" (Volume 19, Chapter 12)
Term paper due tomorrow? Need to cram for a test? Or more...0 points
Changing the Guard Blog
A Community for People Caring for Their Parents
About Margo Arrowsmith
Table of Contents
- Margo Arrowsmith Learns Stand Up Comedy
- Young Steve Martin and the Disneyland Years
- Steve Martin
- Steve Martin: Comedy Writer
- Steve Martin on the Dating Game
- Steve Martin Learns On The Road
- Steve Martin on Saturday Night Live
- Steve Martin Early Signature
- I Think Steve Martin Is the Greatest!
- Steve Martin: He is So Obvious That He is Subtle
- Steve Martin Logic
- The Man With Two Brains: Arguably One of Steve Martin's Best
- Steve Martin's "Pennies From Heaven"
- The Elegance of Steve Martin
- The Multitalented Steve Martin
- Steve Martin with His Purest King Tut
- Steve Martin Puts a Twist on the Blue Joke
- You Have to Like a Character to Mock Him
- Steve Martin Suffer Two Years for Art: Moonwalking Doesn't Come East
- Steve Martin as "The Jerk"
- Steve Martin in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrals"
- Steve Martin In Time
- Steve Martin on People
- The Steve Martin Documentary
- Come Visit My Salon!
- Some of My Favorite Lensmasters on Steve Martin
- Steve Martin in Pink Panther
- Steve Martin Always Something Different
- Cafe Press Immortalizes Steve Martin
- Don't Forget to Sign In
- Steve Martin Has Made a Lot of Movies: Which Are Your Favorites?
- Steve Martin Tricks Johnny Carson
- Steve Martin the Author
- The News and Bloggers on Steve Martin
- Steve Martin Cracks up Johnny Carson
- Get Your Free Report: "How To Hire an Affordable Home Health Team"
- Steve Martin Photos
- Changing the Guard Blog
- About Margo Arrowsmith
by Margo_Arrowsmith
Margo Arrowsmith received the "Lens of the Day" Twice
Arrowsmith Printing 9/22/08
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