Episode 24: Take a Letter!

Here at The Marx Brothers Council Podcast, we are determined to address every detail of the Marx Brothers' lives and careers, no matter how obscure! This should prove it.

Official description: "This month we are joined by Zeppo expert/loyalist/fangirl/critic/stalker Andrea Orlando for a two-hour examination of the youngest Marx. Was he the funniest Marx Brother offscreen? Was he even a Marx Brother onscreen? Andrea rips some of Zeppo’s performances, then drools over his ripped shirt in Duck Soup. Matthew adds up his screentime, Noah secretly wonders if this was worth surviving COVID-19 for, while Bob questions how Vanity Fair will react. 

"Yes, we said two hours. About Zeppo Marx. You have something better to do? 

"Name checked in this episode: Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Hal Thompson."

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Footnotes:

• Caption (from the L.A. Herald-Examiner, August 22, 1932) reads "Zeppo Marx, one of the famous four Marx brothers, comedians, re-enacts with typical Marxian interpolations the big jewel robbery at his Los Angeles home. In the first scene he discovers that jewelry valued at $37,600 has been stolen. In the next episode, he starts on the trail of the burglars with a duster, a butcher knife and an idea his three brothers might be helpful."
• The Marx Brothers Council Podcast is included in Vanity Fair's "Eight Great Movie Podcasts to Try Once You've Finished You Must Remember This!"

BONUSCAST | The Jay Hopkins Interviews: Volume 4 - Steve Stoliar

Official description: "Still stuck in quarantine, we’ve dug up another vintage interview from Jay Hopkins’ archives. From 1979, Jay talks with Steve Stoliar, who worked in Groucho’s house as secretary during his final years and later wrote the essential account of this era, Raised Eyebrows. Steve details how he helped get Animal Crackers rereleased after being out of circulation for twenty years, and how this led to him meeting Groucho and being hired by the infamous Erin Fleming. Steve recounts his fascinating duties, and meeting the many characters and celebrities that were always around.  Of course, unlike our previous archive subjects, Steve is still with us…but this interview dates from much closer to his time with Groucho than even his book, so his memories are especially crystal clear."

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Footnotes:

• Visit Steve's official website
• Buy Raised Eyebrows (Expanded Edition) in print
• Buy the Raised Eyebrows audiobook

Episode 23: Monkey Distance

So, what's new with you? By a strange coincidence, many of us seem to have time on our hands these days, perhaps because, by a strange coincidence, everybody on Earth is suddenly living with the effects of a global pandemic. We immediately snapped into action and started talking about the Marx Brothers. Here, in our unexpected age of isolation, is a Very Special Episode which we hope will make us all feel a little more together. We hope you enjoy it.

NOTE: This episode features submissions from our listeners and members of the Marx Brothers Council group, many of which are videos. Therefore, for maximum enjoyment, we especially recommend the YouTube version of this episode.

Official description: "Quite the opposite of the live get-together this episode was supposed to document, your three quarantined hosts do their best to help you through COVID-19…

"First, we reveal the results of The Marx Brothers Nonsensus where fans made it known what they like and what they want. Let’s just say there are some curious folks out there...or at least a couple of wise guys. Then we dive into the virtual mailbag and play clips of your comments and questions. 

"Name checked in this episode: Jim Carrey, Sydney Greenstreet, Bill Maher."

Note for early birds: When a new episode is released, it might not appear at all of the locations below right away. If you visit your favorite podcast provider and the previous episode is still the most recent one you see there, be patient! And above all, don't worry.

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Footnotes:

• 2020 Marx Brothers Nonsensus Results
  
  
• "Hello, Mr. Stein":

CORONASCAST | The Jay Hopkins Interviews: Volume 3 - Arthur Marx

Official description: "Taking advantage of a captive audience, we are proud to present the latest in our exclusive series of vintage interviews from the archives of Marx Brotherhood founder Jay Hopkins. From 1984, Jay talks with Groucho’s son...author, playwright, TV scribe and screenwriter Arthur Marx. Arthur discusses the pitfalls of writing showbiz biographies, the gestation and disappointment of Minnie’s Boys, being passed over to write the screenplay for The Impossible Years, and the star of a Groucho one-man show he REALLY didn’t like…"

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The 2020 Marx Brothers Nonsensus

Take the Nonsensus now!

Stand up and be counted!

Or, if you prefer, sit down, and don't be counted!

But whatever happens, you're going to want to fill out The 2020 Marx Brothers Nonsensus, and add your opinions on some crucial questions facing the Marxian community.

The results of this survey will be shared on the next episode of The Marx Brothers Council Podcast, and there's not a thing you can do about it.

Take the Nonsensus now!

Episode 22: 1934

Official description: "No, it’s not a sequel to 1917, but something even better! This month we discuss the year that the Marx Brothers didn’t do anything besides lose Zeppo. After finishing Duck Soup in late 1933, the team was without a studio contract, and in no hurry to make another film…in fact, they weren’t certain they wanted to remain in Hollywood at all. We examine the internal and external forces which led them to MGM and Irving Thalberg.

"We’ll also talk about Groucho’s heretofore unknown solo project, A Night at the Brothel.

"Name-checked in this episode: Mickey Rooney, Katherine Hepburn, Hitler, Alec Baldwin."

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Footnotes:

MPAA Production Code records: A Night at the Opera

MPAA Production Code records: A Day at the Races

Publicity photos, November 15, 1934:

Episode 21: No Snow and No Ice

Oh, among the mangoes, where the monkey gang goes, you can hear them talking, and talking, and talking about the first Marx Brothers movie (except for Humor Risk), adapted from their first Broadway show (except for I'll Say She Is). It's the first time it's ever been mentioned down here, today. If you're too old to listen to this podcast, get yourself a monkey gland! And then let's go.

Official description: "After avoiding its 90th anniversary, Matthew pushes Noah and Bob into the pool for a deep dive into The Cocoanuts. Why did contemporary critics consider it their best? Why does Margaret Dumont get more laughs than Zeppo? Who the hell is Penelope? Noah connects a Groucho line to Star Trek: The Next Generation, Bob brings up Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Matthew is certain one shot was cut for a 1984 British TV broadcast. It’s appointment podcasting!"

Note for early birds: When a new episode is released, it might not appear at all of the locations below right away. If you visit your favorite podcast provider and Episode 20 is still the most recent one you see there, be patient! And above all, don't worry.

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Footnotes:

• You know me -- Prince of Wales:

• Bob notes, "Harpo leans over, but his mouth doesn't really move":

• "Gems from The Cocoanuts," performed by the Victor Light Opera Company with Billy Murray, 1926
  
• Sheet music for the 1913 version of "The Monkey Doodle Doo"
  
• "Why am I a Hit with the Ladies?," performed by Frank Ferrante, 2018
  
• From Noah's Marx Brothers on Broadway lecture, 2016: