The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family Review

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(More customer reviews)Anyone with even a passing interest in musicals, early films, or the New York theater district should read The Hammersteins: A Musical Theater Family, to learn some of the crucial history of these parts of the entertainment industry. I found this book fascinating, including many personal perspectives and information only a family like Oscar Andrew Hammerstein would know or have access to, respectively. He also seems to have inherited at least enough of the family flair for good storytelling to keep this entire work of history interesting to read.
I was amazed by how widespread the influence of the Hammerstein family was in the development of American musicals and theaters even before the time of the Rogers and Hammerstein team made their permanent place in entertainment history. The early section of this book spends a lot of time on the theater building efforts of the first Oscar Hammerstein throughout the New York City area. Most of the performers mentioned in this section and onwards read like a who's who of the famous actors of each period.
This is especially true when it comes to Oscar Hammerstein II, who is the main focus of the book after the background is laid. His musicals, and some of the stars, like Julie Andrews, seem to only become greater over time. Of course, not all of his musicals were thus, and Oscar Andrew is not afraid of addressing the moments of failure in his grandfather's career. In fact, the Hammersteins is almost a biography of Oscar Hammerstein II, once the book begins to cover his life directly.
Generally, though, it is a pretty good history piece, with plenty of photos of everything covered. Some of them are a bit pixilated, however, this may only be a problem with my copy of the book. It follows a basically chronological sequence of events, with plenty of background information on what the theater world was like at each point in time being covered, as well as explaining what made some of the Hammerstein contributions had such lasting and unique effects on the industry.
I would probably say this book is at least at high school reading level, both for the length and mention of affairs and divorces of characters. I would have loved to read this in any college course that could allow its inclusion, such as American history post civil war, theater classes, literature, or media and popular culture in the twentieth century. That being said, it certainly makes for good recreational reading, as well. Really, I recommend The Hammersteins to just about anybody. You know, except for people who don't like to be entertained.


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The remarkable, unprecedented biography of the Hammersteins, Broadway's greatest and most influential family, as told by Oscar Andrew Hammerstein The Hammersteins is the story of one of Broadway's most creative and productive families. It is a story that begins in 1864 when Oscar Hammerstein I emigrates to America, establishes himself as a successful cigar merchant and turns his attention to the business of music and theaters. He builds many theaters including New York's most majestic opera house. He turns Times Square (then Longacre Square) into the theater capital of the world. His sons, Willie and Arthur carry on the tradition and nurture such talents as Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, Houdini, and Charlie Chaplin. Willie's son Oscar II becomes the most successful lyricist of all time, writing the story and words to the Broadway shows Showboat, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. The accomplishments of this family are monumental. Their tale is enchanting.

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