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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

1:30:09

97 “Ten Thrilling Years” featuring Noah Diamond

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/09/28

A decade after publication, we celebrate Noah’s "Gimme a Thrill", his acclaimed book about the Marx Brothers’ lost Broadway debut, "I’ll Say She Is", and the remarkable effort to bring it back to life.With Noah temporarily promoted to guest, we look back at the book’s creation, the research and discoveries behind it, and what may in store for ISSI’s second hundred years.

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1:47:40

96 Room Service Reordered

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/08/31

We check back into Room Service, this time putting the spotlight on listener comments about the much-debated 1938 Marx adaptation of the Broadway hit. We rethink the film’s restrained version of the team, missed opportunities, and which brother surprisingly fares best.It’s a lively back-and-forth featuring defenses, complaints, fresh observations and some wonderfully specific nitpicking. By the end, Room Service may not have won everyone over, but it certainly gives us plenty to argue about.

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0:20:22

EMERGENCY PODCAST (featuring Bob Stryker)

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/08/11

Stop the presses—one of the great mysteries of Marx Brothers fandom has finally been solved! After decades of anonymity, the manicurist from A Night at the Opera has a name. Bob Stryker joins us to explain how he stumbled onto the elusive answer, and we follow the story from a brief onscreen appearance to her surprising later career working behind the scenes in Hollywood.

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1:35:43

95 Who You Gonna Believe, Me or Your Own Eyes?

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/07/28

Today, we spotlight two new Marx releases that are a feast for the eyes: Richard S. Greene’s book, "Marx Madvertising", overflowing with ads, stills, and promotional artwork, then (at 43:56) Andrew Murchie's fascinating new 3D conversion of "Animal Crackers"—available on disc or as a download, complete with a commentary by your favorite podcast hosts. We talk with both creators about how these passion projects came to life and what fans can expect.We also explore how modern tools are helping

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0:53:44

94 The British Eyles (featuring Allen Eyles)

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/06/25

We’re proud to welcome Allen Eyles, author of 1966’s "The Marx Brothers: Their World of Comedy"—the first in-depth look at the team’s films—and its successor, 1992’s "The Complete Films of the Marx Brothers", for his first-ever podcast on these landmark works.The conversation ranges from Eyles’ favourite (see what we did there) British comedians to his accidental status as the world’s foremost authority on the missing "Horse Feathers" footage. Along the way, he recalls the Herculean efforts needed

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1:46:23

93 “A Day at the Races” Resaddled (featuring The Marx...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/05/28

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

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1:04:06

92 N.Y. a Duck? (The MBCP LIVE)

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/04/17

Matthew joins us in New York City for our first-ever episode in front of a live audience, recorded at the Museum of the Moving Image—just steps from Kaufman-Astoria Studios, where the Marxes filmed their first two movies.We kick things off with a quick dive into Horse Feathers (because The Cocoanuts or Animal Crackers felt a little too obvious), before welcoming Craig Shemin for a look at the studio’s ongoing history. Next, we take questions from the audience, and are then joined by the great

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1:29:55

91 Whatever Will B. Johnstone (featuring Meg Farrell)

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/04/01

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

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0:04:36

MBCP SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/03/06

April 12th, 2026. NYC. A unique event.

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1:32:23

90 The Marx Others (featuring Brett Leveridge and...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/02/27

We turn our attention to the Marx family circle—on and off stage—highlighting relatives and influences that shaped the team. We examine the showbiz roots of Minnie’s parents, the short life of Manfred, and figures like Aunt Hannah, Cousin Polly, Mabel O'Donnell, and Lou Levy.We question common assumptions about Minnie and Frenchie, with Brett Leveridge shedding light on Minnie’s brief fling in the soft drink business. Then, Trav S.D. returns to discuss Uncle Al Shean—his role in the Brothers’

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1:49:57

89 “A Night at the Opera Reorchestrated” featuring...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2026/01/27

The guys respond to insightful audience comments on the brothers’ MGM classic. Is the film actually more like their Paramount work than we give it credit for? Does the brothers’ career trajectory resemble that of Picasso—or Elvis? And did Margaret Dumont actually land a joke?These and other truly life-altering questions are debated, dissected, and delightfully overthought.

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0:48:45

88 “The Joy of Marx” featuring Joy Harmon

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Matthew and Noah take a closer look at “Tell It to Groucho”, the short-lived 1962 successor to “You Bet Your Life”. Though nearly identical in format, the series curiously never found its footing with audiences and was quickly cancelled. The guys are joined by the delightful Joy Harmon—Groucho’s assistant on “Tell It…” whom he first met when she appeared as a contestant on YBYL. Joy shares how she landed the role and reflects on her warm, affectionate working relationship with Groucho.

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1:52:40

87 “At’sa Some Joke, Eh, Boss?” featuring Elliott Kalan

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/11/30

Award-winning writer/comedian and longtime Marx Brothers obsessive Elliott Kalan ("The Daily Show", "MST3K", "The Flop House", and the new book, "Joke Farming") takes us deep into the craft of professional comedy writing with a nice dose of Marx-inspired examples. Elliott details the difference between satire and parody, defends the noble pun, and tells the story behind his delightfully chaotic Marx-flavored children’s book, "Sharko and Hippo".

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1:31:12

86 “Duck Soup Reheated” featuring The Marx Brothers...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/10/30

Council members weigh in with their takes on the 1933 classic. We dive into the big questions: Is the film genuine satire or just anarchy in disguise? Which supporting characters truly “deserve” the wrath of the Marxes? And why is there not even incidental sound in the famed mirror scene?We’ll also discuss the difficulty some folks apparently have in fitting the entire movie on a VHS tape. Join us as we spin our wheels trying to find logic in the brothers’ most illogical film.

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1:48:10

85 “That’s a Rodeo You’re Thinking of”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/09/30

In this episode, we listen to and examine some of Groucho’s, Chico’s, and (yes, even) Harpo’s most notable radio guest appearances. We discuss how, while much of their radio work was pedestrian, when paired with the right writers and co-stars, the brothers could flourish. These guest spots also let the brothers experiment in ways they couldn’t elsewhere — and even when the results were uneven, they were always fascinating.

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0:42:41

84 “Traveling Sohlo” featuring Brad Sohlo

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Alexander Woollcott authority Brad Sohlo returns to explore the celebrated critic’s influence on Harpo’s life, career, and legacy—and the surprisingly equal role Harpo played in Woollcott’s. Brad also shares stories from his visit to Woollcott’s Neshobe Island retreat, where Harpo and fellow Algonquin Round Table regulars gathered to unwind, rough it, and battle it out over croquet.

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1:57:00

BONUS EPISODE: Horse Feathers Unredacted

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/08/11

A complete collection of listener submissions from episode 83, "Horse Feathers Reeducated".Because of time constraints and overlapping content, not every comment made it into the original episode. Now, you can enjoy the full, uncut versions of every clip we received—packed with great stories and fascinating insights. Enjoy!

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1:14:40

83 “Horse Feathers Reeducated” featuring The Marx...

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/07/28

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.

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0:27:42

82 “Bob & Noah & Matt & Elliott” featuring Elliott Gould

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/06/18

Screen icon Elliott Gould joins the guys for a heartwarming and at times profound conversation about his friendship with Groucho. From deli lunches to hospital antics to reflections on Mae West, Erin Fleming, and the meaning of legacy, Elliott offers deeply personal stories with warmth and wit. You’ll even learn what Groucho considered Elliott’s greatest performance.

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1:17:54

81 “Ten Annotated Years”

The Marx Brothers Council Podcast ·

2025/05/27

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

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112 results

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