{"product_id":"9781461625193","title":"Matthau: A Life","description":"Funny yet down-to-earth, honest yet full of exaggeration, actor Walter Matthau (1920-2000) will always occupy a place in America's heart as one of the great comic talents of his generation. Born Walter Matuschanskayasky into Jewish tenements on New York's Lower East Side, he was a child actor in New York Yiddish theater, and later a World War II Air Force radioman-gunner. He paid dues for ten years on Broadway, in summer stock, and on television before landing his film debut \u003ci\u003eThe Kentuckian\u003c\/i\u003e in 1955. By the time of his 1968 casting as cantankerous but lovable slob Oscar Madison in the film version of Neil Simon's \u003ci\u003eThe Odd Couple\u003c\/i\u003e, Matthau had won major Hollywood stardom.\u003cbr\u003eBased on dozens of interviews and extensive research, this book covers the breadth of his often-complicated personal life and multi-faceted career, including his unforgettable performances in such films as \u003ci\u003eThe Fortune Cookie\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eA Guide for the Married Man\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePlaza Suite\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCharley Varrick\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Sunshine Boys\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Bad News Bears\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCalifornia Suite\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eGrumpy Old Men\u003c\/i\u003e.","brand":"Taylor Trade Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47143827276016,"sku":"9781461625193","price":24.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781461625193_p0.jpg?v=1769888999","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781461625193","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}