Joan Davis

The Emmy–nominated star of the classic 1950s sitcom I Married Joan, Joan Davis (1912–1961) was also radio’s highest paid comedienne in the 1940s—and she displayed her unique brand of knockabout comedy in more than forty films. This book provides a complete account of her career, including a filmography with critical commentary, and the most detailed episode logs ever compiled for her radio and television programs. A biographical chapter offers never-before-published information about her family background, marriage to vaudeville comedian Si Wills and relationships with other men, and her tragic early death.

David C. Tucker is the author of numerous books about classic film and television history. A retired public library administrator, he lives just outside Atlanta, Georgia.

David C. Tucker
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 232
Bibliographic Info: 47 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7784-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1502-8
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments  vi

Preface  1

I. Biography  3

II. Filmography  35

III. Radiography  113

IV. Videography  161

Notes  211

Bibliography  217

Index  219

“David C. Tucker is one of McFarland’s very best authors. Not only does he write well, his research skills are impeccable.”—Classic Images; “highly recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “it manages to document more fully than any other volume anywhere the complete body of work she produced. Tucker adds details, plots, and interesting background anecdotes about these films not likely to be found in other sources. He also offers the best and certainly the most complete examination of Joan Davis’ radio career ever assembled…exciting and valuable”—The Radio Collectors of America.