Thanks for the kindly type words about my book, Raised Eyebrows . Rob Zombie is no longer manning the helm. The Director and writer, with me, is Oren Moverman. Geoffrey Rush is eager to play Groucho. Sienna Miller has agreed to play Erin Fleming. Cold Iron Pictures is overseeing it. We are ready to go, except for that minor snag of funding. so once we have the money, we will get underway. Geoffrey said the good part of all the delays is that he will require less and less make up to play Groucho.
Zeppo absolutely deserves his place! My favourite example is a scene in Duck Soup, when Harpo walks out carrying a big pair of scissors, and Zeppo walks in a moment later wearing half a hat. Harpo gets credit for the joke, but it's Zeppo's performance that sells it.
Here's to a dose of divine chaos. Or maybe a draft. A heaping helping. I love that you wrote about Harpo and Groucho partly through the lens of their conflicting autobiographies. As you note, it is a unique opportunity. Groucho's biography reminds me of Willie Nelson's writing. He does a bunch of old jokes and writes about golf, too. Maybe the Dionysian among us are better known through their primary work.
Haha that’s a shame about Willie, who is another of my heroes—how could people with such interesting lives want to write about golf!! It’s not a bad book, there are some funny jokes, but it definitely compares unfavorably to Harpo’s book.
I've always thought that what's special about the Marx Brothers is that they combine all aspects of the comedy of their time: physical comedy (Harpo), verbal comedy (Groucho), ethnic humor (Chico), and the straight man (Zeppo or Zeppo's post-resignation stand-in). It's hard to think of another troupe that put all those things together in one.
Also, favorite Groucho line: "Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first."
The sadly deceased Gilbert Gottfried doing his old Groucho impersonation was always a highlight of his podcast. Especially the answer to the question why they did some of their weaker films: “Chico needed the money”. (Which was true. Big punter was Chico).
I just discovered the late great Gilbert’s podcast a few weeks ago!! I love how much of it is lewd rumors about forgotten borscht belt comedians — content right up my alley.
I love the episodes where frank and the guest will talk for 20 minutes and Gilbert will all of a sudden chime in to be like “and I heard he got BLOWN by AVA GARDNER BACKSTAGE AT THE COPACABANA!” Great stuff. And yeah the old Groucho imitations are classic.
I can't remember why, but my 10 year old buddies and I circa 1970 were obsessed with the Marx Bros . We even did a skit dressed as them, in front of class. It went over well! We also all read 'Harpo Speaks!', and I remember being fascinated by Alexander Woolcott, one of the Round Table wits.
Your kind words for Looney Tunes are much appreciated. The first time my niece (born less than a decade and a half ago) got to watch a sampling she laughed so hard I thought she might need medical attention.
I came to the Marx Brothers (in a focused way, at least) backwardly, working from Elliot in "Hannah and Her Sisters" watching "Duck Soup" to the whole serving of "Duck Soup" and then branching out from there. My favorite bit might be the contract scene in "A Night at the Opera," but it's hard to pick.
Thanks for the kindly type words about my book, Raised Eyebrows . Rob Zombie is no longer manning the helm. The Director and writer, with me, is Oren Moverman. Geoffrey Rush is eager to play Groucho. Sienna Miller has agreed to play Erin Fleming. Cold Iron Pictures is overseeing it. We are ready to go, except for that minor snag of funding. so once we have the money, we will get underway. Geoffrey said the good part of all the delays is that he will require less and less make up to play Groucho.
It’s an honor!! I enjoyed your book. Hope the movie gets made.
As a committed Marxist I loved this (nice Bloomian American Sublime shoutout too)
>...Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and (I suppose) Zeppo.
Zeppo absolutely deserves his place! My favourite example is a scene in Duck Soup, when Harpo walks out carrying a big pair of scissors, and Zeppo walks in a moment later wearing half a hat. Harpo gets credit for the joke, but it's Zeppo's performance that sells it.
Here's to a dose of divine chaos. Or maybe a draft. A heaping helping. I love that you wrote about Harpo and Groucho partly through the lens of their conflicting autobiographies. As you note, it is a unique opportunity. Groucho's biography reminds me of Willie Nelson's writing. He does a bunch of old jokes and writes about golf, too. Maybe the Dionysian among us are better known through their primary work.
Haha that’s a shame about Willie, who is another of my heroes—how could people with such interesting lives want to write about golf!! It’s not a bad book, there are some funny jokes, but it definitely compares unfavorably to Harpo’s book.
I've always thought that what's special about the Marx Brothers is that they combine all aspects of the comedy of their time: physical comedy (Harpo), verbal comedy (Groucho), ethnic humor (Chico), and the straight man (Zeppo or Zeppo's post-resignation stand-in). It's hard to think of another troupe that put all those things together in one.
Also, favorite Groucho line: "Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first."
Well I picked the perfect time to stumble across your work. Big fan of The Marx Bros. Subbed and looking forward to reading more.
The sadly deceased Gilbert Gottfried doing his old Groucho impersonation was always a highlight of his podcast. Especially the answer to the question why they did some of their weaker films: “Chico needed the money”. (Which was true. Big punter was Chico).
I just discovered the late great Gilbert’s podcast a few weeks ago!! I love how much of it is lewd rumors about forgotten borscht belt comedians — content right up my alley.
Yeah. It’s hours and hour of pure joy. Frank keeps it all together. The Steve Stoliar ep-which I’m sure you’ve listened to-is especially good.
I love the episodes where frank and the guest will talk for 20 minutes and Gilbert will all of a sudden chime in to be like “and I heard he got BLOWN by AVA GARDNER BACKSTAGE AT THE COPACABANA!” Great stuff. And yeah the old Groucho imitations are classic.
HA! Yep! And the orange wedges. And the infamous helicopter ride… so many gems…
I want to write something about Harpo’s and Woollcott’s Riviera holiday where they hobnobbed with Shaw and Maugham.
I can't remember why, but my 10 year old buddies and I circa 1970 were obsessed with the Marx Bros . We even did a skit dressed as them, in front of class. It went over well! We also all read 'Harpo Speaks!', and I remember being fascinated by Alexander Woolcott, one of the Round Table wits.
Yeah the Woolcott stuff is great, Harpo paints a great portrait of him.
Your kind words for Looney Tunes are much appreciated. The first time my niece (born less than a decade and a half ago) got to watch a sampling she laughed so hard I thought she might need medical attention.
I came to the Marx Brothers (in a focused way, at least) backwardly, working from Elliot in "Hannah and Her Sisters" watching "Duck Soup" to the whole serving of "Duck Soup" and then branching out from there. My favorite bit might be the contract scene in "A Night at the Opera," but it's hard to pick.
Beautiful