The Marx Brothers

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The Marx Brothers

(Jen)
Though not my first classic comic, I think that was Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello, I first saw "Duck Soup" with Sally and soon after we had a sleep over at Sally's place, our first Marx brothers party. Sally, Amy, Alex and myself attempted to play as the four zany Marx Brothers. Good times, deffinetly. ^^

All of the Marx Brothers films are 'talkie' and full length. Some greats being Duck Soup, Horse Feathers, Monkey Business, Night at the Opera, Day at the Circus, Day at the Races, Night in Casablanca, Out West, The Big Store, and Animal Crackers.

*Mark left me a helpful hint on my notes…whenever a good looking man or woman starts singing, FAST FORWARD!* (but don't miss the Marx Brothers playing their instruments)

Groucho- wire framed glasses, long and wide mustache and thick eye brows (usually painted on) Walked with a stoop. He was full of insulting remarks "Go, and never darken my towels again." He is usually chasing an older, wealthy widow (played by Margaret Dumont). He was hoping to marry her for her money. "Remember men, we're fighting for this woman's honour; which is probably more than she ever did." He usually played a real loser posing as someone important.

Chico- Italian accent (actually they were sons of German Jewish Immigrants) He was a very unusual piano player.
"Sure we shadowed him:
Tuesday we sit outside his house all day, but he no home.
Wednesday we went to the ball game, he fool us and no show up.
Thrusday he go to the ball game, but we fool him and we no show up.
Friday it was a double header, nobody show up, so we stay home and listened to it on the radio."

Harpo- wears a blond wig, he played a mute so he always did pantomine. He was an excellent harpist, though he plays it backwards. He's a very manic, crazed character.

Zeppo- He played the straight man, though he was supposedly the funniest one off screen. He quiet after the first couple of movies.

The Marx Brothers always attacked phonies and stuffed shirts mercilessly.

here's a video of Groucho on the Jack Benny show (another classic comic I'll mention in a later note) (groucho acts as though he's running the show, even though it's Jack benny's. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wNK1Jt4JLg&feature=related

Classic Marx Brothers mirror scene = )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5lU52aWTJo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3FZ_jtDMVg


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