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Author: Elliot
Tiber
Title: Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of The Mob,
Judy Garland & Interior Decorating
Publisher: Square One
Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-7570-0351-6
“‘Baby, let me
tell you about home,’” quips Judy Garland, Elliot’s spiritual
mentor and a long-standing icon of the gay rights movement in
America. “‘Home is whatever’s in your suitcase and wherever you
hang your hat. Contrary to the movie [i.e. The Wizard of Oz], it
ain’t in Kansas. Home is wherever you want it to be.” Only later
does the true meaning of these words come home to Elliot, whose
exceptionally well-written memoir, Palm Trees on the Hudson, tells of
the lead-up to, and the crash back down after, a birthday bash for a
member of the Mob that he arranges on board a dayliner on the Hudson,
at which Judy is the chief draw card.
In this
rags-to-riches-and-back-again riveter, Elliot tells of his triumph
over the endless carping and discouragement of his mother, by means
of his working his way up from the position of what was little more
than a window-dresser to being one of the leading interior decorators
and designers in New York City. The emotional upheavals of his life
take the backstage to a focus on the development of his career from
working as a relatively low-paid employee for a city store to where
he owns his own highly successful business, only to have that come
toppling down when his main client pulls out from paying him a dime
for what he regarded as the crowning point of his career. Back at
home base, he is forced to rethink the reasons behind the demise of
his going concern, and, despite, or perhaps because of, the negative
impact of his mother’s ongoing criticism, he at last is able to
appreciate the full meaning of Garland’s words.
Elliot’s
constant longing for a soul mate is still left unfulfilled at the end
of this work, only to be realized in his later work, but the pivotal
relationships of his early life and burgeoning career are fully
explored. The importance of friendship and family are fully expressed
in the closeness that he feels to his younger sister and the
gratitude that he shows to supportive clients. The humor that
prevails throughout Palm Trees on the Hudson makes this both an
entertaining and an enlightening text. The soul-searching to which
Elliot subjects himself makes this a particularly worthwhile text for
all of those interested in, and affected by, the gay
lifestyle.
Elliot Tiber has both written and produced
numerous award-winning plays, musical comedies, television shows, and
films. As a professor of comedy writing and performance, he has
taught at the New School University and Hunter College in Manhattan.
Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of The Mob, Judy Garland &
Interior Decorating is the exceptionally entertaining prequel to his
bestselling memoir Taking Woodstock, which is now an acclaimed motion
picture from director Ang Lee.
Click Here To Purchase Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of the Mob, Judy Garland & Interior Decorating