The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

Latest Episodes:

BONUS MINICAST: Adamson in Casablanca Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

An addendum to our “A Night in Casablanca” deep dive (episode 33), Joe Adamson, author of “Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo”, joins us for a further look. Comparing the finished film to the original script and studio call sheets, Joe theorizes on why changes were made, tantalizes us with scenes which didn’t make the cut, and even mourns a few moments that remain. Not joining us for this episode: Scott Alexander.

33 “The Boys Are Back In Town” ("A Night in Casablanca" Deep Dive featuring Scott Alexander) Mar 28, 2021

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Noted screenwriter and Marx devotee Scott Alexander returns, this time for a deep dive into “The Howl Raiser of 1946”, A Night in Casablanca. The Marxes' screen comeback after five years was a triumph both artistically and financially, though not really appreciated until recent decades. With sharper writing and surprising moments of surrealism, it almost feels like a return to Paramount…but, as we point out, the Thalberg softening of the team was still in evidence. We detail our first experiences with the film, point out plot discrepancies, note classic lines, and most importantly, realize the Marxes could defeat the Nazis even without Zeppo. And as a bonus, The Not Ready For Online Players return for two more deleted scene recreations… WARNING: This episode contains explicit language.

32 “I Don’t Think This Damn Thing is Safe” Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Our deep dive into 1972’s "An Evening With Groucho" LP, and his historic, yet bittersweet, performance at Carnegie Hall. To be frank, we’re as conflicted about this as you probably are…Groucho finally gets the late-in-life showcase he craved and obviously deserved, but perhaps a bit too late for him to take full advantage of. We point out the triumphs, tragedies, and missed opportunities that Groucho dealt with in 1972, culminating with this hit album. We detail favorite moments as well as our disparate experiences first hearing this LP, and whether it is a piece of entertainment, a piece of history, or both...

31 “Our BRAIN DONORS Special” (featuring David Zucker and Pat Proft) Jan 29, 2021

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Imagine a Marx Brothers-like film in 1992, now imagine a really good Marx Brothers-like film in 1992…well, imagine no longer because such a movie actually exists, "Brain Donors". Created by the team behind "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun", "Brain Donors" achieved everything it set out to do…except find an audience. To explain why, we are joined by producer David Zucker and screenwriter Pat Proft, both life-long Marx fans. They detail the making of the film, including the casting of John Turturro as the Groucho-inspired Roland T. Flakfizer. David and Pat also discuss the Hollywood politics that derailed what could have been a series of faux-Marx films. Surely, one of our most requested topics… Name-checked in this episode: Jason Alexander, Bob Costas, Senator Joseph McCarthy

30 "K&R vs K&R” (featuring Nick Santa Maria) Dec 24, 2020

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A holiday extravaganza because we say it is! Actor/writer Nick Santa Maria returns for an examination of the Marxes’ two principal writing teams, George S. Kaufman & Morrie Ryskind, and Bert Kalmar & Harry Ruby. We compare their styles and strengths, and go off on numerous unrelated tangents. But first, we detour to Kalmar & Ruby’s original vision for the finale of “A Night at the Opera”, featuring another performance by The Not Ready For Online Players...augmented by Kathy Biehl and Pete Lutz. Name-checked in this episode: Parkyakarkus, Carroll O’Connor (twice), Paul Harvey WARNING: Due to Matthew’s overly-festive mood, this episode contains a moment of adult language.

29 "Make That Three Hard Boiled Eggs” ("A Night at the Opera" Deep Dive featuring Andy Marx) Nov 29, 2020

Show notes

In our NEW longest episode yet, we welcome Groucho’s grandson, Andy Marx, for a deep dive into “A Night at the Opera”, and a whole lot more… Andy recalls growing up with Groucho during the time he went from being a game show host to a legend. We learn about his curious connection to rock stars and speculate on his politics. We also hear about Andy’s other famous grandfather. Finally (at 28:40), we turn our attention to what most Marx fans agree is their first film for MGM. We try and make sense out of why this reinvention of the team works so well…all while doing the unbearable nitpicking we have become famous for! Name-checked in this episode: Elton John, Richard Nixon, Scott Alexander

28 “Flywheel, Shyster, and Tefteller” Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

In our longest episode yet, we barely scratch the surface while talking to archivist John Tefteller. John has spent more than four decades accumulating rare Marx Brothers audio, and is producing a collection of the long-lost radio series “Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel”. John details how, as a high school sophomore, he was hired to be Groucho’s personal recording engineer and archivist. His stories of rare finds, heartbreaking misses, and colorful personalities will entertain you more than we ever did. You’ll even get to hear about John’s days as a teenage relationship counselor to Zeppo, and then Erin Fleming. Yes, your three hosts are present…but about as much as the Marxes are in “The Story of Mankind” Name-checked in this episode: Bill, Clinton, Perry Como, Ed Begley, Jr.

BONUSCAST The Jay Hopkins Interviews: Volume 5 - Nat Perrin Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

In our final trip into the vault, we are treated to Jay’s never-before-heard 1984 chat with writer Nat Perrin. Perrin talks about his 50 year association with the Marxes, from contributing gags to “Monkey Business” all the way to Erin Fleming’s legal challenge to Groucho’s estate. You’ll hear about Nat’s work on the “Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel” radio series, and his later contributions to “Go West” and “The Big Store”. Perrin also discusses some of his non-Marx films and later TV work.

27 “A Compilation, a Sandwich, and You” Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

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. Did your favorite scene make the cut? Listen and find out, unless you’re an Eve Arden fan, in which case don’t even bother…. Name-checked in this episode: W.C. Fields, Kristen Schaal, Jay Hopkins

26 “The Marx Brothers In A Nutshell” In A Nutshell Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

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 when you ask Gene Kelly to do a retake? These and other questions you never asked will all be answered... Oh, and if you want to watch “The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell” before listening, you can purchase a dvd at: http://duckprods.com/store.html Name-checked in this episode: Kurt Vonnegut, Lauren Bacall, Mort Sahl

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