The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

We’re proud to welcome Allen Eyles, author of 1966’s "The Marx Brothers: Their World of Comedy"—the first in-depth look at the team’s films—and its successor, 1992’s "The Complete Films of the Marx Brothers", for his first-ever podcast on these landmark works. The conversation ranges from Eyles’ favourite (see what we did there) British comedians to his accidental status as the world’s foremost au...

Listeners share their thoughts on the most divisive Marx film. Is it the last hurrah or the last straw? We sift through comments on everything from Tootsie-Frootsie to the excised “Dr. Hackenbush” song, while confronting the water carnival sequence that turns watching the movie into a hostage situation. We also take on the film’s most uncomfortable sequence, doing our best to put it in perspective...

Matthew joins us in New York City for our first-ever episode in front of a live audience, recorded at the Museum of the Moving Image—just steps from Kaufman-Astoria Studios, where the Marxes filmed their first two movies. We kick things off with a quick dive into Horse Feathers (because The Cocoanuts or Animal Crackers felt a little too obvious), before welcoming Craig Shemin for a look at the stu...

We welcome ethnomusicologist Meg Farrell, the great-granddaughter of Will B. Johnstone—an unsung hero of the Marx story who helped set the template for their act with I’ll Say She Is, and later contributed to Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, and A Day at the Races. Meg treats us to entries from “Grandpit’s” private diaries, revealing surprising Marx Brothers tales from the 1920s, and insights into...

April 12th, 2026. NYC. A unique event. More details at: https://movingimage.org/event/horse-feathers/

We turn our attention to 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 th...

The guys respond to insightful audience comments on the brothers’ MGM classic. Is the film actually more like their Paramount work than we give it credit for? Does the brothers’ career trajectory resemble that of Picasso—or Elvis? And did Margaret Dumont actually land a joke? These and other truly life-altering questions are debated, dissected, and delightfully overthought.

Matthew and Noah take a closer look at “Tell It to Groucho”, the short-lived 1962 successor to “You Bet Your Life”. Though nearly identical in format, the series curiously never found its footing with audiences and was quickly cancelled. The guys are joined by the delightful Joy Harmon—Groucho’s assistant on “Tell It…” whom he first met when she appeared as a contestant on YBYL. Joy shares how she...

Award-winning writer/comedian and longtime Marx Brothers obsessive Elliott Kalan ("The Daily Show", "MST3K", "The Flop House", and the new book, "Joke Farming") takes us deep into the craft of professional comedy writing with a nice dose of Marx-inspired examples. Elliott details the difference between satire and parody, defends the noble pun, and tells the story behind his delightfully chaotic Ma...

Council members weigh in with their takes on the 1933 classic. We dive into the big questions: Is the film genuine satire or just anarchy in disguise? Which supporting characters truly “deserve” the wrath of the Marxes? And why is there not even incidental sound in the famed mirror scene? We’ll also discuss the difficulty some folks apparently have in fitting the entire movie on a VHS tape. Join u...

In this episode, we listen to and examine some of Groucho’s, Chico’s, and (yes, even) Harpo’s most notable radio guest appearances. We discuss how, while much of their radio work was pedestrian, when paired with the right writers and co-stars, the brothers could flourish. These guest spots also let the brothers experiment in ways they couldn’t elsewhere — and even when the results were uneven, the...

Alexander Woollcott authority Brad Sohlo returns to explore the celebrated critic’s influence on Harpo’s life, career, and legacy—and the surprisingly equal role Harpo played in Woollcott’s. Brad also shares stories from his visit to Woollcott’s Neshobe Island retreat, where Harpo and fellow Algonquin Round Table regulars gathered to unwind, rough it, and battle it out over croquet.

A complete collection of listener submissions from episode 83, "Horse Feathers Reeducated". Because of time constraints and overlapping content, not every comment made it into the original episode. Now, you can enjoy the full, uncut versions of every clip we received—packed with great stories and fascinating insights. Enjoy!

Council members weigh in on one of the Marxes’ greatest films. Hear about a botched screening, why Jennings might be the dumbest gambler in history, and one member’s detailed dissent on Chico’s piano solo. You’ll also get mixed takes on the football finale, learn who holds the title of show business’s most ridiculed performer, and find out how Halle Berry’s name managed to enter the conversation.

Screen icon Elliott Gould joins the guys for a heartwarming and at times profound conversation about his friendship with Groucho. From deli lunches to hospital antics to reflections on Mae West, Erin Fleming, and the meaning of legacy, Elliott offers deeply personal stories with warmth and wit. You’ll even learn what Groucho considered Elliott’s greatest performance.

We're celebrating the tenth anniversary of Matthew Coniam’s “The Annotated Marx Brothers: A Filmgoer's Guide to In-Jokes, Obscure References and Sly Details”. In this retrospective, we explore how the book came to be—and how it ultimately became something quite different from what the title might lead you to expect. What sets it apart from other books on the Marxes? Is an updated edition on the ho...

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 dr...

With listener insights, we take another look at the film that marked the Marxes’ Hollywood debut and stands out as the only one featuring a manicurist we can name. This episode highlights the distinctiveness of Monkey Business, as comments explore how it stands apart from both their earlier work and later films. We’ll dive into praise for Thelma Todd and even Zeppo, alongside the random nitpicks M...

By all accounts, the brothers acquired their iconic names in 1914 while playing cards with a performer named Art Fisher…but does this story hold water, or even milk? To get to the bottom of this, we welcome master Marx researcher Pat McCaughey...and without spoiling anything, let’s just say, “it’s complicated”. We also reflect on the importance of the stage names and whether the brothers would hav...

Noah and Matthew dive into Robert S. Bader’s new book, Zeppo: The Reluctant Marx Brother, the first-ever biography of the universally acknowledged youngest Marx Brother. The guys explore Zeppo’s life of career shifts, ties to organized crime, and strained family relationships. They delve into why he didn’t bask in the glory of the Marxes’ 1960’s and 70’s resurgence, and find proof of his rumored g...

Once again, our audience takes centerstage as we respond to listener comments on the Marxes’ second (or third) film… How is viewing the restored version akin to seeing the team live onstage? What is “insouciant whimsy”? Why is John Tefteller championing a bootleg? These are just a few of the questions we’ll ponder in another meeting of ‘The Matthew Coniam Appreciation Council’. We’ll also discuss...

Emmy-winning comedy writer and producer Frank Santopadre, renowned for co-hosting the often Marx-focused Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast, joins us for an insightful conversation. Frank shares how he first became a fan of the team and reveals his favorite Marx film (it’s not Go West, by the way). He also reflects on his time working with Gilbert, including memorable interviews with fri...

David Fleming, Erin’s nephew, offers raw and compelling insight into the complex life of Groucho’s “secretary.” He recounts visits to his aunt at Groucho’s home and encounters with the man himself. We are treated to contemporary letters from Erin, describing life at the Marx house, her relationship with Groucho, and her later descent into madness. David shares firsthand memories of Erin’s battle w...

After 72 episodes of you listening to us, today we listen to you, as Council members offer their insights and opinions of the Marxes’ first (surviving) film. Are its age and creakiness actually a blessing in disguise? How many tunes named “The Monkey Doodle Doo” did Irving Berlin actually compose? And why is Matthew comparing Oscar Shaw to Pavarotti? All this, and Eddie Deezen…need we say more? A...

Biographer, cultural critic, and comics veteran Danny Fingeroth joins Noah and Bob for a game of Marx Brothers "What If...?" inspired by the multiverse series Danny worked on in his days at Marvel Comics. They ask, what if Groucho had become a doctor? What if Chico had been good with money? What if Zeppo had been good at...well, performing? Danny also discusses growing up in the Marxes' old New Yo...