Connect with us


Features

Classic Comedy Teams: The Marx Brothers

Published

on


Irreverent and intellectual, wittily worldly and comically silent, quintessentially American and indelibly Old World, the Marx Brothers stirred the contradictions of American life during the 1920s and ’30s into a Duck Soup of zany comedy.

Why They Matter: Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo made the transition from vaudeville stars to Hollywood icons without missing a beat. Their frenzy of ad-lib, slapstick and mayhem gleefully skewered post-WWI society’s hypocrisy and pomposity. The original entertainment anarchists, the Marx Brothers regularly challenged culture, education and any form of regulation as being unnatural to the ways of man.

The onset of World War II provided a natural stopping point for the Marx Brothers’ heyday. Groucho would parlay his witticisms and insults into a successful run as host of the quiz show You Bet Your Life. Harpo made a memorable appearance in a scene with a mirror on I Love Lucy. And in a most un-Hollywood ending, the brothers remained close and friendly to the finish.

The Last Word: Groucho, speaking to favorite plus-size target Margaret Dumont, in Duck Soup: “Well, that covers a lot of ground. Say, you cover a lot of ground yourself. You better beat it–I hear they’re going to tear you down and put up an office building where you’re standing. You can leave in a taxi. If you can’t get a taxi, you can leave in a huff. If that’s too soon, you can leave in a minute and a huff. You know, you haven’t stopped talking since I came here? You must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle.”

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

Advertisement
Down Home Fab Down Home Fab
News1 hour ago

Season 2 Premiere, Down Home Fab, March 21, 2024, HGTV

Get ready for the Season 2 premiere of HGTV’s “Down Home Fab,” airing on Thursday, March 21, 2024. In this...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News1 hour ago

Mia Armstrong, Joseph Morgan, CBS Mornings, March 21, 2024

Get ready for Thursday’s episode of CBS Mornings on March 21st as it brings together an intriguing lineup of guests...

Entertainment Tonight Entertainment Tonight
News1 hour ago

Jim Parsons, Jessica Lange, Entertainment Tonight, March 19, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of Entertainment Tonight, viewers can look forward to exploring Oprah’s new weight loss special. Additionally, Jim...

FBI FBI
News1 hour ago

FBI, March 19, 2024, CBS, “Sacrifice”

Get ready for a thrilling brand new episode of FBI titled “Sacrifice,” airing on CBS on Tuesday, March 19, 2024...

FBI: International FBI: International
News1 hour ago

FBI: International, March 19, 2024, CBS, “Death by Inches”

In the upcoming episode of FBI: International titled “Death by Inches,” set to air on CBS on Tuesday, March 19,...

FBI: Most Wanted FBI: Most Wanted
News1 hour ago

FBI: Most Wanted, March 19, 2024, CBS,

Gear up for another thrilling episode of FBI: Most Wanted titled “Desperate,” airing on CBS on Tuesday, March 19, 2024...

Night Court Night Court
News1 hour ago

Night Court, March 19, 2024, NBC, “The Duke’s a Hazard”

Night Court makes its return with an exciting episode titled “The Duke’s a Hazard” on NBC on Tuesday, March 19,...

Extended Family Extended Family
News1 hour ago

Extended Family, March 19, 2024, NBC, “The Consequences of Being Irish”

NBC’s Extended Family is set to air its brand new episode titled “The Consequences of Being Irish” on Tuesday, March...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News1 hour ago

Series Premiere, Walter Presents: Sweetheart, 14 April, 2024, Channel 4

Walter Presents and Channel 4 is set to premiere a new series, Sweetheart (original title Chouchou), which tells the compelling...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News15 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News15 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News15 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News15 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News15 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News15 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News16 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Popular