MARX BROTHERS IN A NUTSHELL, THE (TV)
Summary
This documentary details the lives and careers of Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo, and Gummo, better known as the Marx Brothers. Narrated by legendary hoofer Gene Kelly, the program begins with an individual portrait of each brother. First comes Groucho, who Dick Cavett describes as being "uneducated but incredibly brilliant." Arthur Marx, Groucho's son, talks about his father's personality, quick wit, sense of humor, and penchant for insults. On the flip side, though, Norman Krasna, a friend, talks about how Groucho was often depressed and lonely, needing to please people to buoy his insecurities. Next, Chico is discussed. Robert Pirosh, a writer, talks about Chico's unique way of communicating with an audience. Maxine Marx, his daughter, talks about his "seductiveness" and how he was a ladies' man. Nat Perrin, another writer, focuses on his love of bad habits, such as a voracious appetite for gambling. Next, Harpo, the mute Marx brother, is discussed. Edward R. Murrow details how his "inabilities" made him a genius. Morrie Ryskind, a writer, talks about how he was the perfect father, the perfect husband. Finally discussed is Zeppo, the straight man. Bob Marx, Gummo's grandson, talks about how Zeppo was ironically the funniest of the Marxes. After each brother is discussed (although mentioned in passing, Gummo is not discussed in detail), the documentary focuses on their childhood, being raised in a vaudevillian family, where they took to the stage rather early with a hit comedy routine called "Fun in Skule." Cavett talks about how that act evolved into the Marx Brothers' schtick that is well-known today. Feature films discussed in detail (with numerous clips featurning the Brothers and their frequent foil, Margaret Dumont) include "I'll Say She Is" (1924), "Horsefeathers" (1932), "Duck Soup" (1933), "A Night at the Opera" (1935), and "A Day at the Races" (1937). Finally, the program focuses on each Marx brothers' solo efforts after their "retirement" as a group, most notably Groucho's work as host of "You Bet Your Life," appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show," and the final appearance of all the brothers together on "General Electric Theater."
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 10, 1982 Wednesday 9:10 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:59
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:59541
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Actors; Biography; Comedians; Films
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert B. Weide … Producer
- Richard Patterson … Director
- Joe Adamson … Writer
- Gene Kelly … Narrator
- Dick Cavett
- Margaret Dumont
- Norman Krasna
- Arthur Marx
- Bill Marx
- Bob Marx
- Chico Marx
- Groucho Marx
- Gummo Marx
- Harpo Marx
- Maxine Marx
- Zeppo Marx
- Edward R. Murrow
- Nat Perrin
- Morrie Ryskind
- Robert Pirosh