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PODCAST

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

Matthew Coniam, Noah Diamond, Bob Gassel

An insightful but not too serious look at the Marx Brothers films, careers, and lives from some guys who really need to get out more. Hosted by Matthew Coniam ("The Annotated Marx Brothers," "That"s Me, Groucho!"), Noah Diamond ("Gimme a Thrill: The Story of I"ll Say She Is") and Bob Gassel (he"ll write a book someday...or perhaps read one). Featuring guest appearances by Marx experts, notable fans, and even family members. New episodes post monthly. For more info or to leave a comment, visit us

tv & film film history

All Episodes

1:29:14

74 “We Need To Talk About Erin” featuring David Fleming

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/10/31

David Fleming, Erin’s nephew, offers raw and compelling insight into the complex life of Groucho’s “secretary.”He recounts visits to his aunt at Groucho’s home and encounters with the man himself. We are treated to contemporary letters from Erin, describing life at the Marx house, her relationship with Groucho, and her later descent into madness. David shares firsthand memories of Erin’s battle with mental illness in explicit detail, and explains why it was predictable. He also speculates on why

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2:30:49

73 “The Cocoanuts Revisited” featuring The Marx...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/09/30

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.

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1:13:17

72 “What If?” featuring Danny Fingeroth

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/08/30

Biographer, cultural critic, and comics veteran Danny Fingeroth joins Noah and Bob for a game of Marx Brothers "What If...?" inspired by the multiverse series Danny worked on in his days at Marvel Comics. They ask, what if Groucho had become a doctor? What if Chico had been good with money? What if Zeppo had been good at...well, performing?Danny also discusses growing up in the Marxes' old New York neighborhood and how Lee Harvey Oswald's killer Jack Ruby helped get Gabe Kaplan to participate in

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1:08:28

71: If She Figures That One Out, She's Good

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/07/24

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.

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1:34:18

70 “What Do You Get For Not Directing?”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/06/28

This month the guys examine the directors of each of the Marx Brothers’ films. From Dick Smith of Humor Risk to The Incredible Jewel Robbery’s Mitchell Leisen, they discuss each director’s qualifications, and (Humor Risk aside) whether they elevated the material, brought their own perspectives, or simply stayed out of the way.Matthew provides detailed and often surprising biographical info, while Noah highlights specific moments where the directors shined—as well as the work of Edward Buzzell.

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2:50:31

69 “Marxfest Memories” featuring Kathy Biehl and...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/06/07

An in-depth report on Marxfest 2024 with two of Noah’s co-organizers, Kathy Biehl and Jonny Porkpie. Detailing each event, they share stories of the fans, presenters and performers who made it an unforgettable time. We’ll also share some choice audio clips.Along the way, you’ll learn the real reason why Groucho didn’t appear on “Welcome Back Kotter”, and hear Josh Max's McCartney-esque version of the “Love Happy” theme. In addition, we are thrilled to present three exclusive Marx Brothers radio

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1:20:05

68 “Miscellany Business” featuring Trav S.D.

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/04/26

“The Marx Brothers Miscellany” is not only the name of a new book by our guest, Trav SD, it also aptly describes this episode. We engage in a free-wheeling discussion of numerous Marx topics, including their Vaudeville roots, how Gummo’s role in the act and family differed from Zeppo’s, and whether the Marxes are really the greatest comedy team.We also discuss the Algonquin Round Table’s place in Marx lore, and Trav details how he helped Noah bring “I’ll Say She Is” back to life in 2014.

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0:05:53

A Few Words About MARXFEST

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/04/11

In between episodes, Noah pops in with a few words about MARXFEST, coming to New York City in May of 2024. Tickets and information at marxfest.org.

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1:42:24

67 “Of Muppets and Marxes” featuring Eric Jacobson...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/03/28

Well, this one doesn’t need much explanation, does it?Muppeteer Eric Jacobson and writer/producer/historian Craig Shemin join us for a look at the intersection of the worlds of the Marx Brothers and the Muppets. We discuss their shared roots in the Vaudeville stage, their utilization of music, and their mutual delight in creating mayhem for mayhem’s sake. Eric and Craig also detail their efforts to evolve and modernize the iconic characters while staying true to their Jim Henson heritage, and

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1:38:27

66 “The Little We Know About Leonard”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/02/27

A deep dive into Maxine Marx’s 1980 biography of her father, “Growing Up With Chico”.Matthew and Noah discuss the book’s honesty in taking on Chico’s self-centered lifestyle, while also portraying him in a sympathetic and loving manner. They point out discrepancies in anecdotes told by Maxine as compared to other sources, and are surprised by her willingness to express raw feelings about the rest of the family. Mostly though, the guys enjoy the details that help fill in the cracks of the story of

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1:39:22

65 “Our Rowe, Rohauer and Groucho Hour” featuring...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2024/01/26

A VERY special episode as we are joined by TV writer, comedian, and Council member Mike Rowe to premiere a previously unheard 1967 interview with Groucho, conducted by the infamous film collector and distributor, Raymond Rohauer. Noah, Matthew, and Mike discuss the interview’s numerous departures from oft-told Marx lore, including Minnie’s importance to their rise and how the team transitioned from a musical act to a comedic one. We learn which film Groucho thinks is their worst, and what

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2:09:41

64 “Groucho and We” featuring Frank Ferrante

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/12/22

Groucho’s 1959’s autobiography, “Groucho and Me” is delved into, featuring the world’s most renowned impressionist of the man, Frank Ferrante. The guys question if the book is truly an autobiography or just a collection of entertaining half-truths. They note the moments of humility and surprising self-awareness by Groucho, while noting that what is left out is as telling as what is included. Frank details how he’s mined the book over the years to keep his one-man show fresh, and talks about the joy

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1:45:45

63 “Coming Attractions” featuring Jerry Sroka

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/11/25

A busy two-fold episode. First the guys deep dive into the world of Marx Brothers movie trailers, exploring their sometimes puzzling approaches, noting unique footage or dialogue, and lamenting those that are missing...one of which we get big news about in mid-show! To follow along, you can view all the trailers at: https://youtu.be/j2jbuHNeyZo Then (at 1:07:00), actor/writer Jerry Sroka joins the podcast to discuss his new semi-autobiographical film, “Our Almost Completely True Love Story” in

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1:21:35

62 “Blooray, Blooray, Blooray!”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/11/02

This month the guys look at two films with historically-important Marx appearances that were restored and released on a 2020 Blu-ray…now do you get the title? First, Matthew and Noah dissect Harpo’s brief supporting turn in the obscure 1925 silent romantic-comedy “Too Many Kisses”. They speculate on how Harpo came to be in the film and point out nuances in his performance that show the Harpo we know and love. Then they examine the ‘Theatrical Agency’ scene from the 1931 Paramount promotional film

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1:23:33

61 “Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Sometimes Scardino”...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/09/22

“30 Rock”, “Only Murders in the Building”, “2 Broke Girls”, “The West Wing”…this is a minuscule sampling of series directed by our guest, director/actor/producer Don Scardino, a rabid Marx Brothers fan since the 1960’s. We explore Don’s Marx backstory and how they’ve influenced his work. He talks in-depth about making comedy, with behind-the-scenes tales going back to his days as a performer in the original production of “Godspell”. Don gives his thoughts on what makes a good Marx Brothers

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1:09:48

60 “The Misty Corridors of Time” Our 60th Episode...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/08/09

On the occasion of our sixtieth episode (not counting the ones we don’t count), we look back at the history of The Marx Brothers Council Podcast. Starting with its origins, as most stories do, we recount memorable moments, surprising guests, and our few regrets...topped off by hopes and plans for the future. And to pay the bills, we also talk some actual Marx Brothers, as we discuss which films we’ve changed our mind most about over the years. This is our way of thanking you all for sticking with

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1:14:39

59 “Flywheel Rides Again” featuring Mark Brisenden

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/07/25

The lost 1932 Groucho/Chico radio series “Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel” has long been a white whale for Marx fans. While the scripts were discovered in 1988, and a few tantalizing recordings have turned up (with more coming soon), it was the 1990-1992 adaptations by Mark Brisenden for the BBC which allowed new generations to enjoy the show. Mark joins us for an oral history of the project, starting with becoming a Marx fan at age six, getting his feet wet writing comedy, and eventually landing

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1:38:53

58 “Acid Reflux” - our ‘Skidoo’ deep dive featuring...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/06/23

This month, we welcome back “Schmigadoon!” co-creator/showrunner Cinco Paul to help sift thru the curiosity that is Groucho Marx’s final film appearance, the ‘far-out’ 1968 comedy, “Skidoo.” You don’t need to like (or even have seen) the film to enjoy our discussion of the whats, whys, and what-ifs from a movie that’s not quite as half-assed as you expect it to be. What was Groucho thinking? What was Preminger thinking? What does Jackie Gleason sound like after taking LSD? You’ll hear our

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1:57:43

57 “So This Is Dr. Film” featuring Eric Grayson

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/05/26

Film preservationist and collector Eric Grayson joins us to examine the 2023 state of the Marx Brothers’ catalog. We discuss which films have missing, damaged, or subpar footage (and we don’t mean “Go West”), and whether there is any hope for upgrades. Eric gets into the weeds with info that will surprise even the most knowledgeable fan. We’ll also examine the copyright issues that the Marx films will soon face, and look forward to how AI technology may help in restoration efforts. Finally, you’ll

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1:10:07

56 “Question Marx”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2023/04/30

Once again we dip into the mailbag for questions and comments from our loyal listeners. Bob joins us to serve as quizmaster, as we discuss subjects such as post-Duck Soup Freedonia/Sylvania relations, Marx pets, Matthew’s and Noah’s book sale numbers, and Groucho’s connection to the Chicago 7 trial. Of course, we can’t ignore the um, er…well, let’s just say the recently discovered “Horse Feathers” stills. Talk about pre-code!

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106 results

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