Episode 36: We Spit on Lester Cowan (Our Love Happy Deep Dive)

Well, you should have known we'd do this eventually. Please join us -- we're begging you -- for a discussion of the universally beloved classic Love Happy. It may not be everyone's favorite Marx Brothers movie -- it may not even be a Marx Brothers movie -- but you have to admit, it is a movie. 

Official description: "DISCLAIMER: Since producer Lester Cowan defied contractual agreements and billed this as starring 'The Marx Brothers,' we are obligated to do an episode about it.

"The brothers search for jewels as we search for laughs…and though it’s not top-tier Marx, there is still plenty to enjoy as well as plenty to ponder. Matthew tells how Chico was the first to agree to appear in a Harpo solo film, Noah is baffled by how the jewels got into a sealed sardine can, and Bob goes off on Marilyn Monroe.

"You’ll learn about the two versions of the film, and why the shorter, less funny one is most likely what you’ve seen. You’ll learn why Groucho and Chico never appear onscreen together…but you won’t learn what those penguins are saying.

"Seriously, it’s not a bad film…wish we could promise the same about this podcast."

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Make Yourself Listen to Make Him Watch It!

 

Our pal Cinco Paul, screenwriter, songwriter, and Marx Brothers Council Podcast guest (Episode 5), has an excellent podcast of his own, Make Him Watch It, in which Cinco and his writing partner Ken Daurio make each other watch movies and discuss them. During Ken's break from the show, Cinco's been welcoming guest co-hosts, and recently the situation got so desperate that he invited us on! In this episode, Cinco makes us watch Paddy Chayefsky's The Hospital (1971), and we make him watch W.C. Fields' It's a Gift (1934). Give it a listen, and subscribe to Make Him Watch It -- every episode is a great, fun listen, and it really makes you want to make people watch things.

Episode 35: This Magnificent Chest

The most significant release of previously-unreleased Marx Brothers material occurred in 2014, when Shout Factory issued this magnificent chest -- no, this magnificent chest -- packed with over ten hours of (mostly) television appearances featuring Groucho, Harpo, and Chico Marx. The Marx Brothers TV Collection, curated by Robert Bader, has earned its place on our shelves, alongside the Brothers' films. In this epic episode, we examine the set (including the much-coveted bonus disc) in exquisite detail.

Official description: "You want to see Groucho as an over-protective father, Harpo hiding in a Coke machine, or Chico trying to pass himself off as Harpo? Well, you’ve come to the right place as we dissect Shout Factory’s DVD set featuring Marx TV appearances from the ‘50s thru the ‘70s.

"We uncover the many treasures, failures, and sublime moments this collection offers to Marx fans, including Groucho’s rebooting of You Bet Your Life in 1960’s England, Harpo’s lead role in a Twilight Zone-like drama, and Chico’s two short-lived series…both of which were actually pretty good.

"We’ll also dive into the set’s gathering of Marx family home movies, as well as the super rare bonus disc…which may include the best (and worst) clips of all! 

"Don’t miss this show, unless you want to hear good things about Minnesota Fats…

"NOTE: North American fans can access many of these clips and shows for free on shoutfactorytv.com."

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Footnotes:

• Eleven selections from the collection, streaming free at shoutfactorytv.com (North America only)
  
  
• Purchase the collection from Shout Factory

Episode 34: Our Dinner with Deezen

EDDIE DEEZEN IS BELOVED NOT ONLY FOR HIS HILARIOUS PERFORMANCES IN SOME OF OUR FAVORITE FILMS, BUT FOR HIS DELIGHTFUL ALL-CAPS PRESENCE IN THE MARX BROTHERS COUNCIL FACEBOOK GROUP. AND NOW, HE JOINS US FOR A BREAKNECK ROMP THROUGH THE BROTHERS' THIRTEEN FILMS. TURN DOWN THE VOLUME AND ENJOY!

Official description: "ACTOR AND VOICE ARTIST EDDIE DEEZEN (GREASE, 1941, WAR GAMES) JOINS US FOR AN INDESCRIBABLE 90 MINUTES OF FREE FLOWING AND POTENTIALLY LITIGIOUS TALK ABOUT THE MARX BROTHERS.

"EDDIE RANKS THE MARX FILMS, OBSESSES ON CHICO’S SEXUAL PROWESS, AND GENERALLY TRIES TO STEER THE CONVERSATION TOWARDS THE BEATLES, MARTIN & LEWIS, AND THREE STOOGES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

"EDDIE’S UNIQUE TAKE ON THE BROTHERS, PLUS SOME MIND-BOGGLING THEORIES, MAKE FOR UNFORGETTABLE LISTENING.

 

"NAME CHECKED IN THIS EPISODE: RON PALILLO, JULES WHITE, ROWAN & MARTIN."

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Footnotes:

• The Official Eddie Deezen Website

Bonus Minicast: Adamson in Casablanca

But wait -- there's more! For our recent Night in Casablanca episode, we'd intended to include a segment with Joe Adamson, in which he'd discuss his evolving feelings about the film since his book was written, as well as the results of some more recent research. But the conversation with Joe was predictably rich enough to be an episode all its own. And so here we are.

Official description: "An addendum to our A Night in Casablanca deep dive (episode 33), Joe Adamson, author of Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo, joins us for a further look. Comparing the finished film to the original script and studio call sheets, Joe theorizes on why changes were made, tantalizes us with scenes that didn’t make the cut, and even mourns a few moments left in. 

"Not joining us for this episode: Scott Alexander."

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Episode 33: The Boys Are Back in Town

Our Night in Casablanca deep dive is a packed episode, featuring not only the second appearance of boldface name Scott Alexander (see?), but Les Marsden himself lending his voice to some more deleted scene recreations. But don't worry; we gave it back to him after the session.

Official description: "Noted screenwriter and Marx devotee Scott Alexander returns, this time for a deep dive into 'The Howl Raiser of 1946,' A Night in Casablanca.

"The Marxes' screen comeback after five years was a triumph both artistically and financially, though not really appreciated until recent decades. With sharper writing and surprising moments of surrealism, it almost feels like a return to Paramount…but, as we point out, the Thalberg softening of the team was still in evidence. We detail our first experiences with the film, point out plot discrepancies, note classic lines, and most importantly, realize the Marxes could defeat the Nazis even without Zeppo. 

"And as a bonus, The Not Ready For Online Players return for two more deleted scene recreations…"

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Footnotes:

• You can get the newly-restored Night in Casablanca from Classic Flix, on DVD or Blu-ray.

Episode 32: I Don't Think This Damn Thing is Safe

The last significant work by Groucho Marx as a performer was An Evening With Groucho -- which is the title of his 1972 concert, and the resulting LP. To the question "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Groucho provided an irrefutable if unhelpful answer: You reach the age of 81 having been a vaudeville headliner, a Broadway star, a Hollywood icon, a hit on radio and television, a successful author, and a living legend. 

Official description: "Our deep dive into 1972’s An Evening With Groucho LP, and the historic performance at Carnegie Hall.

"To be frank, we’re as conflicted about this as you are…Groucho finally gets the late-in-life showcase he craved and obviously deserved, but perhaps a bit too late for him to take full advantage of. We point out the triumphs, tragedies, and missed opportunities that Groucho dealt with in 1972, culminating with this hit album.

"We detail favorite moments as well as our disparate experiences first hearing this LP, and whether it is a piece of entertainment, a piece of history, or both...

"Name-checked in this episode: Brent Spiner, The Beach Boys, Diane Keaton."

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:

• "Groucho Stars in a Night at the Carnegie," New York Times, May 8, 1972
  
  
• "Recordings: From Marx to Merman," New York Times, January 14, 1973
  
  
• Dick Cavett: "They Dressed Like Groucho," New York Times, April 20, 2012
  
  
• Recordings of Groucho at the Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco, August 11, 1972
  
  
• Library of Congress essay by Robert Bader, upon An Evening With Groucho's inclusion in the National Registry of historically significant recordings