Episode 80: Strange Interludes (featuring Kathy Biehl)

Sometimes these things are just meant to be. Matthew had the bright idea of devoting a podcast episode to a combined discussion of The King and the Chorus Girl and Time for Elizabeth — neither of Groucho’s two curious collaborations with Norman Krasna quite merits an episode, but together, they’re an interesting subject. Quite coincidentally, Turner Classic Movies then showed The King and the Chorus Girl, which prompted a flurry of discussion of that film in the Marx Brothers Council group. Friend of the show Kathy Biehl (undoubtedly well-known to you from previous episodes, as well as from I’ll Say She Is and Marxfest) posted some especially astute insights, and so here she is to elaborate. (Incidentally, in our introduction of Kathy at the top of this episode, we completely forget that she last appeared on the MBCP in Episode 69, “Marxfest Memories.”)

Note: The King and the Chorus Girl is not currently available on any commercial streaming platform. You can track it down on VHS or DVD, or, who knows, maybe you can find it somewhere. The television version of Time for Elizabeth is not commercially available in any format, but there’s some mighty pretty country around here.

Note for Patreon subscribers: The new bonus segment is already available! It’s a rollicking discussion about the endings of the Brothers’ thirteen films.

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*The encouraging notice included in advertisements for* The King and the Chorus Girl

Official description: “Friend of the podcast Kathy Biehl joins the guys to explore Groucho's only two produced scripts, the 1937 film The King and the Chorus Girl, and the 1948 play Time for Elizabeth — which was later adapted for TV, featuring himself in the lead role.

“The crew delves into how these collaborations with Norman Krasna mark a conscious shift from Groucho’s signature humor, pondering what might have driven him to this new direction. They’ll guess which lines bear Groucho’s unmistakable stamp, and weigh in on his acting chops in Elizabeth.

“By the end, you’ll have the answer to the big question: Did Groucho need the funny?”

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.

Episode 81: Ten Annotated Years

Episode 79: Monkey Business Rekippered (featuring the Marx Brothers Council)