This is a question for Straight Dopers under age 30. Do you know who Damon Runyon was and have you ever read any of his writings?
I’m not technically under 30 (I’m 31), I have a reasonable idea who Damon Runyon is. I question whether I’ve read anything by him, but I have recently been reading the “Midnight Louie” mystery series by Carolyn Nelson Douglas, in which Midnight Louie is a large black cat who imagines himself a private investigator whose internal monologues are modeled on Damon Runyon.
I’m way over 30 (48), but it would likely have been equally valid to aim your question at people under 60 let alone 30. Anyone who grew up after the age when Broadway musicals were synonymous with “popular music”, and when they played dramas and variety shows on the radio will likely not have read Runyon unless they happened upon him by some special circumstance. For instance, while I was in HS the drama class did Guys and Dolls.
Slightly more people are aware of his penchant for humorous names like Nicely Nicely Johnson, and dialog like “Youse had better find that money–or another woild in which to live.”
I’m 30, so I also don’t fit, but I’ve read most of Runyon’s stuff.
Damon Runyon is currently best known for Guys and Dolls, though his influence is all over the place (for example, The Sopranos is just an updated version). But few under the age of 60 have actually read his work: it was published long ago and is not easy to find.
I’m 21, I know full well who he was, and I have read a couple of his short stories.
I have to agree with RealityChuck with the fact that it hasn’t been reprinted in a while: The most recent publication of Runyon that I have come across is from 1958.
If you’re interested, here’s an edition of “Guys and Dolls” from 1992, still in print:
And here’s another collection of his racing stories, from 1999:
The Runyon situation is bad but not quite 1958 bad. A best of collection was published in 1992 and it’s still in print. And not selling all that badly.
I knew I should have checked on-line. Thank you for the information.
I’m disqualified (way over the age limit), but just to say I’ve read everything by Runyon that I could get my hands on, and (relevant to the OP) I’ve hardly ever met anyone who has even heard of him, let alone read anything by him, and certainly no-one 30 or younger. What a shame that such brilliance could be so neglected.
It’s totally unimportant, but I just want to point out that I was aware of the connection between Runyon and Guys and Dolls before reading this thread and finding all the comments on it included–I just didn’t think that having seen a live version on stage, and a movie version on DVD or Video qualified as having read Runyon.
Over 30, but under 60 - familiar with Runyon, though. (I have two Runyon collections at home.)
Ditto in age. I’ve read a play by Runyon and George S. Kauffman, and a collection with one of the best story titles ever - “‘Shut Up’ he Explained.”
I’m 45 and so don’t qualify. However, my son is going to be 20 in July and he’s read my copies of Guys & Dolls and Runyon a la Carte. Liked them, too.
In my thirties, but I’ve read and greatly enjoyed several collections of his stuff.
Here in the UK, Penguin have been relatively good at keeping him in print, most recently with this selection within the last year, though that particular edition may reflect the fact that Guys and Dolls has been a successful revival in the West End of late (including amongst several twentysomethings I know).
I’m 29. I recognize the name as being that of an author of short story fiction from the early part of last century. His association with the crime genera is something I “knew” but may not have recalled without reading the thread. I have heard him mentioned often enough in the past, though, that the idea of seeking out a collection of his stories had definitely crossed my mind, but had never been acted upon. If I spotted his name on a volume in a used book store, I’d probably have taken a look.
I’m 29 as well. I’ll be the dissenting opinion - I’ve never heard of him. I didn’t know he was the brains behind Guys and Dolls until it was brought up in this thread. I haven’t read it, but I have seen the stage production (and I understand that one cannot equate the two).
Same age range. I read most Runyon in my 20s (when I used to read hundreds of books a year) and as far as I know read everything in print.
I truly enjoy Damon Runyon – as a Coloradan and a newspaperman I almost have to.
It is a lost activity in most families, I know, but reading Runyon out loud is great fun. We do it often.
A few years ago somebody on this board recommended a biography of him called Gentleman of Broadway (or on Broadway, I’m not entirely sure which right now) and it was wonderful. I also have read a number of Gene Fowler non-fiction books in which he plays a major role.
The Denver Press Club gives a Damon Runyon Award annually to unique journalists. It is a highly regarded award nationally.
Pueblo Colorado (Runyon’s hometown) has a football field named after him and a number of local spots in that town feature his name or highlight is exploits.
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