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Search - List of Books by Robert Orben

"Do your kids a favor - don't have any." -- Robert Orben
Robert Orben (born March 4, 1927) is an American magic and professional comedy writer. He is also an author of books for magicians. He wrote a book called "Speaker's Handbook of Humor".

Robert Orben published his first gag book at the age of 18 in 1946, when he was working in Stuart Robson Jr.'s (stage manager for Florenz Ziegfeld) conjuror's shop in New York. Professional magicians would use his gags to add humor to their acts; comedians also came into magic stores, for props and books, as there were no comedy stores or resources as such at that time.

When Robert Orben wrote his first gag book, Encyclopedia of Patter, it proved very popular, and he started publishing more books of gags, complete with sketches, ad libs, bits of business and routines. Titles included Patter Parade, Laugh Package, Sight Bits, and Screamline Comedy.

By the 1950s, Orben gag books were ubiquitous in the comedy profession and were probably overused by stand-up comedians. Orben has said he nearly sued Lenny Bruce once, as Bruce advertised his show with the tag line, "No Joe Miller, no corn, no Orben". However, Orben never sued, and only saw Bruce perform once, shortly before Bruce's death.

In addition to his gag and humor books, he started publishing a regular newsletter of topical humor, which he wrote for nearly 30 years, stopping in 1989.

As Orben made a name for himself with his books, he attracted attention. He started writing custom-made gags for comedian Dick Gregory for six years. Gregory had contacted him in 1955, when Gregory was starting out in Chicago. Orben told him to get in touch when he'd found his own comedic voice. In 1962, Gregory telegrammed Orben, saying there would be a two page article in Time about him. Orben bought the magazine, saw the article, and shortly after, the two signed a contract to work together. Orben also wrote for Jack Paar on The Tonight Show in New York (1962-63), and the Red Skelton Show in Hollywood (1964-70).

Later, Orben moved into politics, and in 1973 he became head speechwriter to Vice President Gerald R. Ford. When Ford succeeded to the Presidency in August, 1974, Orben became his speechwriter. In January 1976 he was appointed Special Assistant to President Ford and Director of the White House Speechwriting Department.

As of 2007, Orben works as a speaker for corporate events. His most recent book is Speaker's Handbook of Humor.
Never raise your hand to your children; it leaves your midsection unprotected.
Quit worrying about your health. It'll go away.
Time flies. It is up to you to be the navigator.


Quotes   more

Works   more

This author page uses material from the Wikipedia article "Robert Orben", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
Total Books: 22
The Speechwriter's Handbook of Humor A Practical Guide to Getting Laughs in Public Speeches and Presentations
2400 Jokes to Brighten Your Speeches
1989 - 2400 Jokes to Brighten Your Speeches (Paperback)Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9780879804251
ISBN-10: 0879804254
Genre: Humor & Entertainment
  ?

2000 New Laughs For Speakers The AdLibber's Handbook
1987 - 2000 New Laughs for Speakers the Adlibber's Handbook (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 9780517266007
ISBN-10: 0517266008
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2

Joke Tellers Handbook Or 1999
1986 - Joke Tellers Handbook or 1999 (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 9780517180143
ISBN-10: 0517180146
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Substores
  ?

2100 Laughs for All Occasions
1986 - 2100 Laughs for All Occasions (Paperback)Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9780385234887
ISBN-10: 0385234880
Genre: Humor & Entertainment
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

2000 SureFire Jokes for Speakers
1986 - 2000 Surefire Jokes for Speakers (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780385234658
ISBN-10: 0385234651
Genre: Humor & Entertainment
  ?

2500 Jokes to Start'Em Laughing
1979 - 2500 Jokes to Start'em Laughing (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780879803872
ISBN-10: 0879803878
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Humor & Entertainment
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

Joke Teller's Handbook
1976 - Joke Teller's Handbook (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780879803230
ISBN-10: 0879803231
Genre: Humor & Entertainment
  ?

The joke teller's handbook or 1999 belly laughs
1970 - The Joke Teller's Handbook or 1999 Belly Laughs (Other)
ISBN-13: 9780425018880
ISBN-10: 0425018881
  ?

The Ad Libbers Handbook 2000 New Laughs for Speakers
The Encyclopedia of OneLiner Comedy
The Encyclopedia of Oneliner Comedy (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 9780385066983
ISBN-10: 0385066988
  ?

The AdLibber's Handbook 2000 New Laughs for Speakers
The Adlibber's Handbook 2000 New Laughs for Speakers (Hardcover)Paperback
ISBN-13: 9780385072342
ISBN-10: 0385072341
  ?

2500 Jokes to Start 'Em Laughing
2500 Jokes to Start 'em Laughing (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 9780385144124
ISBN-10: 0385144121
Genre: Reference
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

The Working Comedian's Gag File
The Working Comedian's Gag File (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780685219089
ISBN-10: 0685219089
  ?

Comedy Patter for Standard Tricks
Comedy Patter for Standard Tricks (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780685219218
ISBN-10: 0685219216
  ?

Speaker's Handbook of Humor
Speaker's Handbook of Humor (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780877796299
ISBN-10: 0877796297
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Reference, Humor & Entertainment
  ?