Marx Brothers - Quotes, clips, favourite moments, fun facts, etc.

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Medical Hawaii

Whatever it is, I'm against it!
True & Honest Fan
kiwifarms.net
Subtitle says it all, really.
Fav brother? Fav movie? Fav quote?

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While I have a plethora of favourite quotes and moments from their works, I'd like to start the thread off with some trivia!

I recently found this interesting documentary on Groucho Marx in particular; saddest part: "he needed a Groucho Marx to cheer him up"

And while I was aware of the effect that his mother's outspoken favouritism of his brothers over him had on his general attitude towards women, I wasn't aware of his understanding of Margaret Dumont's contribution to their work and her ability; he even made reference to the perception he had of her, that she did indeed play his "straight man," however she "never quite got the joke.," in his Honorary Oscar acceptance speech (so weird seeing him in colour in his later appearances!).

Actually, Margaret Dumont found him quite hilarious, but was aware of her responsibilities as the "straight" woman to Groucho:
"I’m not a stooge, I’m a straight lady—the best in Hollywood. There is an art to playing the straight role. You must build up your man but never top him, never steal the laughs.”
(https://sistercelluloid.com/2015/08/14/heres-to-margaret-dumont-who-always-got-the-joke/)

Strangely enough, he also went on to credit Chico his straight man, which seems strange to me, as I think it was Chico who would turn Groucho himself into the straight man (one of the things I love about the Marx Brothers is their flexibility in their dynamics with each other as characters!).
(https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2016/0...ance-between-groucho-marx-and-margaret-dumont)

Article regarding this elasticity found! https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2014/08/13/the-brilliant-elasticity-of-the-marx-brothers


As for Chico, besides his marvelous piano skills, I found that particular anecdote about the zealous gambler's attempt at being more "polite" with the ladies quite amusing--

(meeting Tallulah Bankhead and having been begged to conduct himself with more grace and charm than he usually did towards "broads and cards," as he called women and gambling)

"Hello, Miss Bankhead, ” said Chico.

Tallulah: “Nice to meet you, Mr Marx.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Chico: “You know, I really want to fuck you.”

Tallulah: “And so you shall, you old fashioned boy.”


More about Chico's being the "party boy" of the group--
Even had to put him on an allowance, and if I recall correctly, "A Night in Casablanca" was made with his precarious financial position in mind!

I'll have to dig up some of my favourite articles about Harpo and Zeppo, just wanted to get this thread started quickly!
 

AnOminous

each malted milk ball might be their last
True & Honest Fan
Retired Staff
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Simple, direct, to the point.






















And in line with Chico sometimes turning it around and making Groucho the straight man, which someone posted here a few days ago.

 

The Pink Panther

The Nigga Panther
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I like the one where Groucho called the guy an idiot and the girl ugly using witty verbal tics and comedic misdirection.
 
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Medical Hawaii

Whatever it is, I'm against it!
True & Honest Fan
kiwifarms.net
That's exactly it! I didn't remember where I'd seen it.

Also this entire batch of nonsense from Cocoanuts.

That's when they started having to keep them in jail cells haha!

"But these were minor problems compared to the craziness and unpredictability of the Marx Brothers themselves. According to director co-directer Robert Florey, it was near impossible to get all four brothers on the set at the same time.

Brother Harpo might be off napping in a corner of the soundstage. Or getting a chorus girl to massage his scalp, itchy from wearing his curly wig. But most likely, Harpo would be off somewhere, happily strumming his beloved harp.

Groucho was usually easier to locate, he would inevitably be found curled up somewhere with a good book. But brother Chico was, by far, the worst miscreant when it came to "disappearing" from the set.

Sometimes Chico would actually leave the studio entirely and be found at the local bridge club or involved in nearby poker game. On other occasions, Chico would be discovered putting in calls to his bookie, placing bets on ballgames or horses. Equally likely, Chico would, almost inevitably, be found in one of the dressing rooms of one of the Cocoanuts chorus girls, becoming "better acquainted.”

Director Florey came up with a clever and workable solution. He had four cages brought on to the Cocoanuts set. (These "cages" were actually jail cell props that happened to be left around in the studio.) He labeled one cage for each Marx Brother: Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo and Chico.

During filming hours, each Marx brother would be put in his respective cage. When it was time to film a scene, they would be let out. And after the scene was done, each brother re-entered his cage. (This, of course, had to be one of the strangest shoots in movie history.)

Oh yes, the cage reserved for and often containing Chico was equipped with a telephone, the easier for him to put in calls to his bookie. "
 

Mister Qwerty

kiwifarms.net
From the radio show Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel:



JUDGE (furious): Mr. Flywheel, will you put your client on the stand?

GROUCHO: Okay judge, but remember, you brought it on yourself. Ravelli, get up in that chair.

CHICO: Tanks, boss, but I can see awright from where I am.

GROUCHO: Ravelli, step up to the stand!

CHICO (irritated): Awright, awright, I go. (He walks to stand.)

CLERK: Emmanuel Ravelli, you are about to be sworn in. Raise your right hand.

CHICO: Why should I raise my hand? I don’t have to leave da room.

CLERK: Put that hand up! Now, do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

CHICO: I gotta speak to my lawyer first.

CLERK: Answer yes or no!

CHICO: Awright. No!
 

millais

The Yellow Rose of Victoria, Texas
True & Honest Fan
kiwifarms.net
I found Groucho's interview with Bill Buckley to be an interesting listen
 

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