MARX RE-MARX
Posted on October 17, 2020 by Frank Ferrante
“With a hey-nonny-nonny and a ha-cha-cha!” – Groucho Marx in Duck Soup
Greetings, fellow Marxists…and thank you to those who tuned into the Groucho Marx Facebook Live celebration on October 2nd – the 130th anniversary of Groucho’s birth. For those who missed it, you will find over two and half hours of interviews archived and pinned at the top of that page. (The link for Frank Ferrante’s “An Evening With Groucho” Facebook Fan Page is in the “Link” category here on www.grouchomarx.com.)
What moves me regarding the interviews is the commitment to the Marx Brothers legacy by my interviewees. Quite a few, like myself, discovered the Marxes at an early age – producer/director Robert Weide who went on to produce the documentary The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell, John Tefteller who at 17 was employed by Groucho and is currently restoring his radio work, Paul Wesolowski who amassed an impressive archive of Marx research, Drew Friedman who continues to illustrate Groucho and Robert Bader who wrote Four of the Three Musketeers. It was a thrill to chat with and hear new stories from Harpo’s son Bill, Gummo’s son Bob and Groucho’s grandson Andy. Film historian Leonard Maltin told the tale of meeting Groucho and actor Seth Shelden shared his passion and connection to Harpo Marx and the joy he takes in performing the role.
There is a ten minute taped interview with Dick Cavett highlighted within the tribute that is lovely. It was this interview that inspired me to interview Groucho’s daughter’s (Miriam’s) best friend – 94 year-old Adele “Sunny” Nadel – who spent much time in the Beverly Hills Marx household. Her stories of Groucho and Miriam dating back to 1940 are quite beautiful. “I loved them both,” she told me. I will share that on the Facebook page soon. Stay tuned.
Mr. Bader broke the news that the 1925 silent film Too Many Kisses starring Harpo Marx is restored and available now at www.filmpreservationsociety.org. On that DVD, the restored version of the Marx Brothers in The House That Shadows Built – the talent agent skit that the Brothers performed in a variety of shows – is featured. It is a crystal clear rendering and you feel you are seeing the foursome live.
In other Marx related news, the Brothers in 1946’s A Night in Casablanca is being released on Blu-ray on December 15 with bonus features including an audio excerpt of a live stage performance from when the Marx Brothers tried out scenes prior to the filming, radio commercials and a trailer. Mr. Bader’s documentary on Cavett and Groucho broadcasts after the new year and yours truly in the film version of the stage show An Evening With Groucho will be released in 2021.
More to come. But in the interim…”tell them Groucho sent you!’
Frank Ferrante, Groucho Marx Productions, Inc.
MARX RE-MARX
Posted on September 16, 2020 by Frank Ferrante
“Although it’s generally known, I think it’s about time to announce that I was born at a very early age.” – Groucho Marx, Groucho And Me
“I came down here for a party. What happens? Nothing. Not even ice cream. The gods looked down and laughed. This would be a better world for children if the parents had to eat the spinach.” – Groucho as Capt. Spaulding, in Animal Crackers.
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October 2nd marks the 130th anniversary of Groucho Marx’s birth and a host of expert Marxists shall be celebrating that day. In fact, yours truly will be hosting a Facebook Live event on the An Evening With Groucho fan page which can be located on the ‘Links’ section of this very site. The event begins at 4PM PDT/7PM EDT. My esteemed guests will be phoning in live, discussing all things Marx and answering your questions. I am thrilled to announce the following participants:
Bill Marx: Bill had the singular experience of touring with his father, Harpo – performing as his assistant as well as arranging music for multiple recordings and live shows for his legendary dad. A composer and arranger of jazz in his own right, Bill continues to play piano. In his Uncle Groucho’s later years in the mid-1970’s, Bill accompanied Groucho at Marx household soirees to the tunes of “Lydia, The Tattooed Lady” and “Show Me A Rose.” His memoir “Son of Harpo Speaks!” is available online.
Robert Weide: Bob is a producer/director/writer responsible for the first documentary on the Marx Brothers – The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell. Since then, Bob has made quite the mark in show business notably as the principal director and an executive producer of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Look for his upcoming documentary on Kurt Vonnegut.
Robert Bader: Robert is a writer/producer whose books include “Four of the Three Musketeers” – the story of the Marx Brothers on stage and “Groucho Marx & Other Short Stories and Tall Tales: The Selected Writings of Groucho Marx.” He produced two DVD sets of Groucho’s TV series You Bet Your Life as well as the Marx Brothers on Television DVD.
Robert Marx: Bob is not only the son of vaudevillian turned agent, Gummo Marx, but a former TV executive and current business tycoon married to Gilda Marx of Body by Gilda fame. Bob rarely discusses his famous family and I look forward to our chat.
Paul Wesolowski: Paul and I have been friends since 1982 when we first crossed paths in his capacity as publisher of The Freedonia Gazette – his homespun periodical dedicated to the Marx Brothers. Paul is considered the first and foremost researcher on all things Marx providing valuable information to scholars, writers and Groucho himself.
John Tefteller: As a teenager in the 1970’s, John was hired by Groucho Marx to record and archive Marx’s appearances…and that he did. John is currently restoring and continuing to discover lost Groucho radio work including broadcasts from Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel and Pabst Blue Ribbon Hour.
Leonard Maltin: When I was a teenager I first became aware of the great film critic and historian, Leonard Maltin, through his books Movie Comedy Teams and Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide. He is the host of the podcast Maltin on Movies and has a significant social media presence. It will be a treat to hear him discuss Groucho’s legacy.
Drew Friedman: Drew is the lauded cartoonist and illustrator who has depicted ‘the one, the only Groucho’ from the 1930’s film years to the 1950’s You Bet Your Life years through Groucho’s elder statesman era. Drew had the good fortune of meeting Groucho when Drew was a kid and he’ll be sharing that epic tale. I own a Friedman original and two signed prints so every where I gaze in my home, Drew is present. If you haven’t already, get Old Jewish Comedians (in which the Marx Brothers are featured) and it’s sequels.
October 2nd shall soon be upon us. In the interim, dear readers, listen to the updated Groucho Internet Radio playing 24/7 programs including The Jack Benny Program, Command Performance, The Bing Crosby Show, Birdseye Open House (Dinah Shore), NBC’s Silver Jubilee and You Bet Your Life.
Tune in folks…and…hello, I must be going.
Happy birthday, Groucho!
Your fan and friend,
Frank
Frank Ferrante, Groucho Marx Productions, Inc.
MARX RE-MARX
Posted on August 12, 2020 by Frank Ferrante
“If you keep having birthdays, you’ll eventually die.” – Groucho Marx
One of Groucho’s favorite quotes in regard to shuffling off this mortal coil comes from Woody Allen, “I don’t mind dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” I conjure the subject because every August 19th since 1977, I have thought of Groucho. This is the date that “Captain Spaulding…” as one obituary headline declared “Finally Goes.” I was 14 when my hero passed away and I’ve done my best to keep the Marx cigar aflame.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this new site launched by Groucho Marx Prods., Inc. The site is designed to keep aficionados intrigued ongoing. Like Groucho’s humor, the thought is to keep grouchomarx.com fluid, surprising and fresh. I submit for your approval the daily posts on our landing page “Today in Groucho History” and Groucho Internet Radio updated monthly with twelve hours of Groucho’s radio work played 24/7. Some broadcasts are more familiar and some not so much – featuring episodes from “You Bet Your Life,” “The Big Show,” “Command Performance,” “The Circle,” “Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel,” Birdseye Open House” (Dinah Shore), “Philco Radio Time With Bing Crosby” and “Columbia Presents Corwin.”
Groucho fans may be delighted to discover that after a hiatus, officially licensed Groucho Marx products are now available. Rockin Pins is responsible for the newly available Groucho T-shirt, enamel pins and forthcoming stickers and ‘Groucho For President’ bumper sticker. Feel free to peruse the items on our ‘Shop’ page and when you order ‘tell them Groucho sent you.’
And in conclusion…the 130th anniversary of Groucho Marx’s birth on October 2nd is fast upon us. For those of you on social media, I will be celebrating this day with live readings as Groucho on the Facebook fan page “An Evening With Groucho.” Details to be shared in the September blog here. Please join us. (“Why are you coming apart?”)
Until then, remember that “East is east and west is west. And if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does.”
Hooray for Captain Spaulding,
Frank Ferrante, Groucho Marx Productions, Inc.
MARX RE-MARX
Posted on July 10, 2020 by Frank Ferrante
“Why should I care about posterity? What’s posterity ever done for me?” – Groucho Marx
Hello, fans of all things Marx. And welcome back to our site. Thank you all for your positive feedback regarding the grouchomarx.com launch. Our goal here is to share with the public Groucho’s legacy and, as keepers of the cigar flame, perpetuate his contributions to comedy.
Many have mentioned to me on social media pages that during this particularly challenging time, it is a grand escape into laughter whilst immersing here. The video excerpts seem to be a highlight and many of you commented on the Groucho magazine cover category. Groucho internet radio has also elicited enthusiastic response. Know that we will continue to add visuals to the categories of magazines covers and sheet music and more video and radio content. A Groucho book category is in the makes. We will continue attempting the balance between entertainment and information so that it’s an oasis for the diehard and uninitiated.
I’ve noticed in recent weeks, a rise in interest in the Marxes. It’s been a delight to see Turner Classic Movies showcase of late Marx Brothers films. Perhaps that should be expected in a pandemic during an election year. Groucho was there through many a crisis from the last pandemic, the Great Depression, the Cold War, Vietnam – and his humor sparks and lifts today. As Groucho used to say, “There’s no such thing as an old joke…if you’ve never heard it before.”
Groucho reminders are out there. It’s been a particular kick to see Groucho’s iconic visage on the newly licensed t-shirts from Rockin Pins. Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller and film historian Leonard Maltin were recently spotted proudly clad in theirs. Rockin Pins will soon offer Groucho enamel pins, stickers and a ‘Groucho For President’ bumper sticker. Their work is the highest quality and you’ll be able access on this site under ‘Shop.’
New Marx Brothers related projects are on the horizon as we work in collaboration with Marx Brothers, Inc. representing the legacies of Chico and Harpo Marx. I will keep you apprised as Groucho-related book, film, television and stage matters emerge. In the interim, I hope you enjoy another jaunt through grouchomarx.com.
Hail Freedonia!
Frank Ferrante, Groucho Marx Productions, Inc.
MARX RE-MARX
Posted on June 1, 2020 by Frank Ferrante
Greetings, fellow Marxists, and welcome to the official Groucho Marx website. Though our hero would never belong to any club that would have him as a member, we hope he’d approve of this clubhouse of Marxian celebration.
As a dedicated Marx Brothers fan of 45 years, it was important to me that the site include rarer images, video and trivia. Groucho Internet Radio is a particular delight running twenty-four hours of Groucho content highlighting “You Bet Your Life, ” “Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel” and some lesser accessible programs. And a glance at the Archives under Magazine Covers is a vivid reminder of Groucho’s prevalence, longevity and impact on pop culture.
I would like to thank Robert Bader, Marxian nonpareil, for providing the site’s content and Bay Dariz for his design. And thank you, dear reader, for taking the deep dive into Groucho’s world. Expect updates, new content and messages from yours truly on a regular basis. Keep laughing and enjoy.
Hail Freedonia!
Frank Ferrante
Groucho Marx Productions, Inc.