The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

In the spirit of the great comedy compilation films of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, we’ve decided to create our own “Best of the Marx Brothers” money-grab. To be precise, the three of us have each compiled our own films…hamstrung by the constraints of our in-house Irving Thalberg. We’ll discuss our scene choices and come up with a final tracklist, all before realizing the whole exercise was pointless....

Our long overdue look at the definitive Marx Brothers documentary, with special guests, producer/meme Robert B. Weide, and writer/editor Joe Adamson. The guys take us on Nutshell’s long journey, full of roadblocks and last minute scrambling. How did they get both Paramount and MGM clips when told it was impossible? Why did PBS viewers not see Woody Allen, and no one see Betty Marx? What happens wh...

Our contractually obligated deep dive into “At The Circus”, where your hosts are as enthused watching the film as the Marxes were in making it. We try our best to make sense out of this jumble of wonderful and embarrassing moments. You’ll scream as you experience the lost courtroom scene that MGM cut instead of "Two Blind Loves"….you’ll thrill as we struggle to remember plot points no one cares ab...

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 f...

Still stuck in quarantine, we’ve dug up another vintage interview from Jay’s 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 me...

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 m...

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”, be...

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 t...

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...

A deep dive into Groucho’s first solo effort, 1947’s “Copacabana”, which can be considered both a success and a failure…as well as neither. Surprisingly, for one of your hosts, this was a first time viewing, so Bob comes up with observations that most of you had decades ago. We explore the fascinating teaming of Groucho with Carmen Miranda, and romances that are undefined and unresolved. The Barry...

This month we take it easy and discuss only half of the team, Groucho and Chico. We listen to and deep dive into all their great scenes together….as well as the one from "At The Circus". You'll learn why perhaps their most famous encounter isn’t really a Marx scene at all. We also introduce a new feature where we reveal our latest and greatest Marx Brothers revelations.

Marx Brothers scholar Stewart Tryster returns as we try to explain curious moments in the Marxes' films and career. Who was that in the dark in "Animal Crackers"? Did pressure from Italians result in the pigeons being cut from “A Day at the Races”? What edible substance made up Harpo’s “A Night in Casablanca” hair? We speculate, jump to conclusions, and ignore facts that go against our theories…so...

The second in our exclusive series of vintage interviews from the archives of Marx Brotherhood founder, Jay Hopkins. From 1979, Jay talks with the infamous Erin Fleming, Groucho’s secretary, personal manager, and companion in his final years. Erin details day to day life with Groucho, as well as the celebrities, shows and events she seemed to crave. She’s opinionated, charming and infuriating. A u...

This month we take a deep dive into the misunderstood “Room Service”, perhaps not the best Marx film, but the one with the most interesting backstory…as well as the most frustrating compromises. Matthew enlightens us on how it almost became more of an authentic Marx vehicle, and how it almost became less of one. Bob is surprised by his reaction to the film, while Noah leads post-graduate courses o...

Though the Marx Brothers stopped performing together after 1949’s “Love Happy”, that didn’t stop the constant stories, rumors and false starts of future projects. This month we take a look at the Marxes’ 1950s post-career, which included a few moments when they did reunite. Bob comes up with a unique (and probably stupid) theory about “The Incredible Jewel Robbery”, while Matthew admits to a Marx...

The first in our exclusive series of vintage never-before-heard interviews from the archives of Marx Brotherhood founder, Jay Hopkins… From 1979, Jay talks to “You Bet Your Life” creator and producer John Guedel about the genesis of the show, how it was put together each week, and how the show library was on the verge of being discarded in the early ’70s before John and Groucho came to the rescue....

Founder of the legendary Marx Brotherhood fan club, Jay Hopkins, joins us for a look at the 1970s Marx renaissance. What caused it? Could it happen again? What was Nat Perrin’s apartment number? We examine Groucho’s part in the movement, as well as his curious relationship with Erin Fleming. Jay tells of his experiences with the Brotherhood, as well as his firsthand interviews with important Marx...

We are joined by writer/performer/bon vivant Trav S.D. for an in-depth analysis of the world of Chico. We examine his strengths, weaknesses, contradictions and roller skating. Is he the most underrated of the three, or the most overrated of the four? And where does he fit alphabetically…you’re going to be surprised. Along the way we’ll enjoy some classic piano and misquote our favorite lines.

This month we take a deep dive into “Duck Soup”, which Matthew acknowledges as one of his thirteen favorite Marx Brothers films. Bob fixates on trivial moments, while Noah savors the early scripts way more than Leo McCarey did. By the end, we all reluctantly agree that the film is over…and so is Zeppo. Oh, and be on the lookout for a Ramones shout-out, a tie-in to Hogan’s Heroes, and a clip from a...

Screenwriter and lifelong Marx fanatic Scott Alexander (“Ed Wood” “Man on the Moon” “The People vs. Larry Flynt”) joins us to discuss Kyle Crichton’s 1950 biography of the Marxes, which established many of the myths that hold to this day. Later, Scott details the creation of his Marx Brothers bio-pic script, and how Tony Clifton might be responsible for it not being produced. Finally, Scott tells...

Author Josh Frank joins us to discuss his upcoming graphic novel, “Giraffes on Horseback Salad”, an adaptation of Salvador Dali’s 1937 proposed screenplay for the Marxes. Later, we delve into surrealism and its relation to Marx Brothers humor, along with their appeal to the intellectuals of the day. Unfortunately, Roscoe W. Chandler was not able to join us, but is there in spirit.

Hmmm…what could this be? Chico leading a Mars expedition? Zeppo getting a talent transplant? No, actually we take a look at the Marx fandom, past, present and future. Where are the new fans coming from, where are the older fans going? Does their humor hold up, and is it becoming too politically incorrect? We promise you won’t be surprised by our answers. Later, we pepper each other with questions...

After a recap of feedback to the “Big Store” episode, Matthew and Noah talk about the Marx Brothers books they have authored which, coincidentally, are available as holiday gifts. Later, Bob makes a bold proclamation for 2019.

Actor, writer, and singer Nick Santa Maria joins us to defend “The Big Store”…not the funniest of the latter-MGM films, but (in our opinion) the most likable. We speculate on the secret life of Hiram Phelps and love life of Mr. Grover, plus hear a rare audio clip of Tony Martin and his version of reality. We’re also treated to the death stories of a couple of cast-members! Finally, everyone is rew...

For this installment, we kill a couple of hours answering listener questions as well as attempting to pronounce names of various Council members…one of whom won’t be happy at all with our open-mindedness. Plus, Matthew looks for stuff.