The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

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... Along the way, there are Beatles comparisons, Lindy Hop history, and a listener who thankfully wasn’t one of Chico’s children. And as always, enough nitpicking to put any fan under observation at the Standish Sanitarium.

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.

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 horizon? And does Matthew still hate “Duck Soup”? These and other pressing questions will be lightly dodged before we inevitably try to sell you a copy.

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 Marx fans are famous for. Joe Adamson, Scott Alexander and Eddie Deezen are among those contributing. Jay Hopkins would have as well, if he could figure out how to do it.

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 great wit. Oh, and Matthew discovers a Groucho “Holy Grail” buried in Bader’s pages... Not too spoilery, this episode is a must-listen whether you’ve read the book or not.

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 friends, family, and co-stars of the brothers. Frank illuminates the historical importance of these chats, as the number of people who personally knew or worked with the Marxes is rapidly dwindling. And yes, we’ll apologize now for the detour to Skidoo.

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 podcast that you won’t want to end, and it almost doesn’t.

Matthew and Noah share a few of the most perplexing Marx Brothers mysteries they've encountered in their research, which have remained unsolved despite considerable effort. No, this episode is not about Humor Risk or the manicurist. But Matthew will walk you down winding paths of confusion regarding the authorship of The Big Store and Double Dynamite, and Noah will call your attention to a Marx Bros. Scrapbook anomaly that can only be explained ridiculously.