91 Whatever Will B. Johnstone (featuring Meg Farrell)

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Meg Farrell, discussing her great-grandfather Will B. Johnstone's contributions to the Marx Brothers.

We welcome ethnomusicologist Meg Farrell, the great-granddaughter of Will B. Johnstone—an unsung hero of the Marx story who helped set the template for their act with I’ll Say She Is, and later contributed to Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, and A Day at the Races. Meg treats us to entries from “Grandpit’s” private diaries, revealing surprising Marx Brothers tales from the 1920s, and insights into his day job as a political cartoonist. We’ll also discuss the importance of the Napoleon scene from ISSI, Johnstone’s complicated relationship with S.J. Perelman, and speculate on his specific contributions to their films.

People in this episode

Hosts: Matthew Coniam, Noah Diamond, Bob Gassel

Guest: Meg Farrell

Topics covered

• ethnomusicology
• Marx Brothers
• political cartooning
• film history
• diaries

Keywords

• Marx Brothers
• Will B. Johnstone
• Meg Farrell
• ethnomusicology
• political cartoonist
• diaries
• film contributions

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: I’ll Say She Is, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, A Day at the Races

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