Behind the Bastards Part Two: Frank Fay, The Fascist Who invented Stand Up Comedy
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Aug 14, 2025 Andrew T delves into the tumultuous life of Frank Fay, the controversial figure credited with shaping stand-up comedy. They explore Fay's toxic Hollywood romance and his alarming post-WWII Nazi rally in New York. The discussion touches on the complex dynamics of relationships during a transformative era in entertainment, examining the decline of vaudeville and the rise of stand-up. Also highlighted are the dangerous ideologies in modern media that echo Fay's legacy, offering a stark reflection on celebrity influence in a shifting political landscape.
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Stability Trumps Career For Stanwyck
- Barbara sacrifices her independent career to be with Fay despite knowing his violent, alcoholic past.
- Emotional deprivation from childhood likely drove her to prioritize relationship stability over career.
Faked Crisis Wins Her Back
- Frank fakes multiple drunken breakdown calls to manipulate Stanwyck into returning and re-engaging.
- She falls for the ruse and they remarry after he abruptly sobers his tone.
Proto Standup And Parody Performer
- Frank Fay innovated solo, long-form stage performance as vaudeville declined, shaping modern stand-up.
- His parody and lyrical breakdown bits anticipate formats later used by musical-parody and YouTube creators.
