Episode 90: The Marx Others (featuring Brett Leveridge and Trav S.D.)

As every fan knows, the story of the Marx Brothers is not simply the story of those three, four, or five brothers, but also the story of the one brother who died before any of them were born, and the two parents who brought them into the world in numerous senses. It’s the story of the cousin who lived with them as a sister, the aunt who joined the act on a whim, and the uncle who was a bigger star than they could ever hope to be, until suddenly, they were bigger than he was.

Along with this army of relatives, the story is speckled with honorary “brothers” who came and went from the act with the same regularity as Marxes and Schoenbergs. Taken as a group, this supporting cast from the first chapter of the Marx Brothers’ story might be called the Marx Others.

In our ninetieth episode, we consider some of the key members of this group, and we’re aided in this effort by some of the key members of our group — Council, Marxfest, and I’ll Say She Is stalwarts Trav S.D. and Brett Leveridge, both of whom have made previous appearances on this show, which received what we determined to be an acceptable number of complaints.

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Official description: “We turn our attention to other members of the Marx family circle—on and off stage—highlighting relatives and influences that shaped the team. We examine the showbiz roots of Minnie’s parents, the short life of Manfred, and figures like Aunt Hannah, Cousin Polly, Mabel O'Donnell, and Lou Levy.

“We question common assumptions about Minnie and Frenchie, with Brett Leveridge shedding light on Minnie’s brief fling in the soft drink business. Finally, Trav S.D. returns to discuss Uncle Al Shean—his role in the brothers’ development, and his famed partnership with Ed Gallagher.”

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Episode 90: The Marx Others (featuring Brett Leveridge and Trav S.D.)

Episode 89: A Night at the Opera Reorchestrated (featuring the Marx Brothers Council)