The Marx Brothers were a comedy group known for their absurd performances on film as well as on stage; along with some musical success. They were indeed actually brothers and they went by the names Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo. Of the five the big four were Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo. Chico, Harpo, and Groucho were the three that had the most success; then Groucho is arguably the most well-known. Obviously, these names were not their birth names but just their stage names. Harpo’s nickname came from his unusual ability to play the harp; here is a link to a Harpo harp solo that is particularly well done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GArbUV_yv2k
The other nicknames aren’t as obvious but if you are interested in reading about them and learning some interesting facts about the Marx Brothers, below is a link to a great article.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/10/how-the-marx-brothers-got-their-nicknames/
The brothers were born from their mother Minnie Marx who was also a large part of why they got involved in performing; she acted as their manager. In a way they were also born into it as they were related to Al Shean who was known best from the entertaining duo of Gallagher and Shean.
In the book Film Comedy, Geoff King points out that the Marx Brothers, like a lot of the performers in their time period, got their start on stage as they even would adapt their stage performances to screen performances (25). Such films included The Cocoanuts (1929) Animal Crackers (1930). The Encyclopedia Britannica tells about how the brothers were successful in burlesque and vaudeville as well as on Broadway as the groups musical talent was a large part of their act: http://www.britannica.com/topic/Marx-Brothers. Geoff King believes there is often not much to take from the Marx brothers films and points out specifically their lack of narrative form (29). After watching Duck Soup it is rather obvious that this is true. It seems less about the film as a whole and more about small sections of funny skits. The movies appear to be less plot driven and they don’t really care about the normal form of film. For example, the film ends in almost a cartoon fashion. They are in a war and then they win and then the films just sort of ends. Much like how the Roadrunner tricks the Wile E. Coyote into getting smashed by an anvil and then the film ends; the films purpose is not thinking about the world of the film. It is often more times than not about being entertained and little else. However, there are some who praise the Marx Brothers for poking fun at higher class and society norms. Perhaps, that is the value that hides underneath their slap-stick styled films filled with ridiculous antics. In my opinion the Marx Brothers will not be remembered as much for their films as wholes but for their classic scenes that remain timeless. The “mirror scene” in Duck Soup is a great example of a skit that will remain entertaining from generation to generation as it is so funny and as well, is so well done with an amazing comedic timing.
Wikipedia does a good job sorting out the Marx Brother’s films as they are all together in some and separate in others. Here is how they separate them:
Films with the four Marx Brothers:
Humor Risk (1921), previewed once and never released; thought to be lost
The Cocoanuts (1929), released by Paramount Pictures; based on a 1925 Marx Brothers Broadway musical
Animal Crackers (1930), released by Paramount; based on a 1928 Marx Brothers Broadway musical
The House That Shadows Built (1931), released by Paramount (short subject)
Monkey Business (1931), released by Paramount
Horse Feathers (1932), released by Paramount
Duck Soup (1933), released by Paramount
Films with the three Marx Brothers (post-Zeppo):
A Night at the Opera (1935), released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
A Day at the Races (1937), released by MGM
Room Service (1938), released by RKO Radio Pictures; based on a 1937 Broadway play that did not star the Marx Brothers
At the Circus (1939), released by MGM
Go West (1940), released by MGM
The Big Store (1941), released by MGM (intended to be their last film)
A Night in Casablanca (1946), released by United Artists
Love Happy (1949), released by United Artists
The Story of Mankind (1957), released by Warner Brothers (not a Marx Brothers film, but the three brothers perform separate cameos)
The Incredible Jewel Robbery (1959), an episode of the TV series General Electric Theater starring Harpo and Chico with an uncredited Groucho in a cameo role
Solo endeavors:
Groucho:
Copacabana (1947), released by United Artists
Mr. Music (1951), released by Paramount
Double Dynamite (1951), released by RKO
A Girl in Every Port (1952), released by RKO
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), released by 20th Century Fox (uncredited)
The Mikado (1960), made for television
Skidoo (1968), released by Paramount.
Harpo:
Too Many Kisses (1925), released by Paramount
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara (1935) released by MGM
Stage Door Canteen (1943), released by United Artists (cameo)
Chico:
Papa Romani (1950), television pilot
Zeppo:
A Kiss in the Dark (1925), released by Paramount (cameo)
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