With the script still being drafted, MGM made the inspired choice to let the brothers perform key scenes in such places as Seattle, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. THEY TESTED OUT NEW MATERIAL FOR A NIGHT AT THE OPERA IN FRONT OF LIVE AUDIENCES. Short-lived as the group was, however, it still managed to recruit some amazing talent-including singer/composer Mel Tormé, who would go on to help write “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” in 1945. A few months before The Big Store hit cinemas in 1941, he co-founded the Chico Marx Orchestra: a swinging jazz band that lasted until July of 1943. CHICO ONCE LAUNCHED A BIG BAND GROUP.Ĭhico took advantage of an extended break between Marx brothers movies to realize a lifelong dream. Gummo, who joined the company in 1935, was charged with handling Groucho, Harpo, and Chico’s needs. A brilliant businessman, Zeppo eventually broke away to found the talent agency Zeppo Marx Inc., which grew into Hollywood’s third-largest, representing superstars like Clark Gable, Lucille Ball, and-of course-the other three Marx Brothers. Zeppo-the youngest brother-then assumed Gummo’s role as the troupe’s straight-talking foil. Following his return, the veteran decided that performing was no longer for him and instead started a raincoat business. World War I forced Gummo to quit the stage. By Marx Brothers standards, it would’ve been an unusual flick, with Harpo playing a heroic detective opposite a villainous Groucho character. When Humor Risk failed to impress there, production halted. Despite this, an early screening of the work-in-progress was reportedly held in the Bronx. Accounts differ, but most scholars agree that the silent picture-which would have served as the family’s cinematic debut-never saw completion.
MARX BROTHERS MOVIES MOVIE
THE VERY FIRST MARX BROTHERS MOVIE WAS NEVER RELEASED.įinanced by Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo, and a handful of other investors, Humor Risk was filmed in 1921. “Maybe the first multi-tasker ever, he even had a harp in the bathroom so he could play when he sat on the toilet!” 5. “Dad really loved playing the harp, and he did it constantly,” his son, Bill Marx, wrote. Without any formal training (or the ability to read sheet music), the second-oldest Marx brother developed a unique style that he never stopped improving upon. However, the mustache he later rocked as the host of his famous quiz show You Bet Your Life was 100 percent real. Phony, glue-on facial hair can be a pain to remove and reapply, so Groucho would simply paint a ‘stache and some exaggerated eyebrows onto his face.
Michael Ochs Archives/Hulton Archive/Getty Images GROUCHO WORE HIS TRADEMARK GREASEPAINT MUSTACHE BECAUSE HE HATED MORE REALISTIC MODELS. For the record, nobody knows how Herbert Marx came to be known as “ Zeppo.” 3. Arthur loved playing the harp and thus became “Harpo.” An affinity for soft gumshoes earned Milton the alias “Gummo.” Finally, Julius was both cynical and often seen wearing a “grouch bag”-wherein he’d store small objects like marbles and candy-around his neck. Given his girl-crazy, “chick-chasing” lifestyle, Fisher dubbed him “Chicko” (later, this was shortened to “Chico”). Inspired by a popular comic strip character known as “ Sherlocko the Monk,” he decided that the boys could use some new nicknames. In May of 1914, the five Marxes were playing cards with standup comedian Art Fisher. THEY RECEIVED THEIR STAGE NAMES DURING A POKER GAME. Word of his wit soon spread and demand for these Marx brothers grew. Rather than boo, the patrons roared with laughter. “The jackass is the finest flower of Tex-ass!” he shouted, among many other ad-libbed jabs. Furious at having lost the spotlight, he skewered his audience upon their return. During a 1907 gig at the Nacogdoches Opera House in East Texas, someone interrupted the performance by barging in and shouting “Mule’s loose!” Immediately, the crowd raced out to watch the newly-liberated animal.
As Nightingales, the brothers enjoyed some moderate success, but they might never have found their true calling if it weren’t for an unruly equid. In 1907, the boys joined a group called “ The Three Nightingales.” Managed by their mother, Minnie, the ensemble performed covers of popular songs in theaters all over the country.
MARX BROTHERS MOVIES PROFESSIONAL
Julius, Milton, and Arthur Marx originally aspired to be professional singers. A RUNAWAY MULE INSPIRED THEM TO TAKE A STAB AT COMEDY. Today, we’re tipping our hats (and tooting our horns) to Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo-on the 50th anniversary of Groucho's passing. Talented as individuals and magnificent as a team, the Marx Brothers conquered every medium from the vaudeville stage to the silver screen.
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