The Marx Brothers Council Podcast

Actor, writer, and singer Nick Santa Maria joins us to defend “The Big Store”…not the funniest of the latter-MGM films, but (in our opinion) the most likable. We speculate on the secret life of Hiram Phelps and love life of Mr. Grover, plus hear a rare audio clip of Tony Martin and his version of reality. We’re also treated to the death stories of a couple of cast-members! Finally, everyone is rewarded by us not playing “The Tenement Symphony”. Note that your enjoyment of this episode will be greatly enhanced by watching the film first, as we get into detail that you might not remember...

For this installment, we kill a couple of hours answering listener questions as well as attempting to pronounce names of various Council members…one of whom won’t be happy at all with our open-mindedness. Plus, Matthew looks for stuff.

Matthew, Noah and Bob over-analyze “Monkey Business”, the Marxes’ first film shot in Hollywood and first written exclusively for the screen. You’ll learn how many stowaways are singing, if Siri knows who played Alky Briggs, and in what century the portable lighter was invented. Musicologist and Zeppocologist Andrea Orlando stops by to offer some much-needed informed insight. End Music: “I’m Daffy Over You” performed by Josh Max

Marx Brothers scholar Rodney Stewart Hillel Tryster joins the guys for a look into now lost moments from the Marxes career. Some are legendary, some are obscure...and some may never have occurred. Bob interviews Thomas Racz, who details his exciting discovery of a unique print of “A Night at the Opera” at the Hungarian Film Archive. Rodney and Matthew explain why the odds of finding “Humor Risk” may be greater than Groucho had you believe.

Screenwriter and Marx Brothers fanatic Cinco Paul ("Despicable Me”, "The Secret Life of Pets", "Bubble Boy”) joins the guys to discuss and play their favorite musical moments from Marx films. Cinco also talks about how the brothers influence his work, and the Marx references he has and has not been able to incorporate into his films. Songs include…nah, you’re going to have to listen.

The full-length interview with actor/musician/writer/director Les Marsden, who has portrayed three of the brothers onstage, in addition to writing and starring in the one man show, “A Night at Harpo’s”. Among the topics Les discusses with Noah are audience expectations, learning to play the harp, pitching the one-man show to Harpo’s widow Susan, and his encounter with Groucho. End Music: “Why Am I So Romantic?” (from Animal Crackers) as performed by Les Marsden

Noah, Bob, and Matthew deflate some accepted Marx myths that get under their skin, then they examine the fan favorite 1969 LP “The Marx Bros. - The Original Voice Tracks From Their Greatest Movies” narrated by Gary Owens. Later, Noah talks with Les Marsden, who has portrayed three of the four brothers onstage, and also wrote and starred in the one-man show, “A Night at Harpo’s”. Since this episode was originally published, we have put the "Original Voice Tracks" LP online, it can be enjoyed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OyoO2S6_hk

Actor/writer/director Frank Ferrante, the world's most renowned Groucho Marx impressionist, and star of the touring show, "An Evening With Groucho" joins the guys for a deep dive into "A Day at the Races". Frank details his personal history with the film, and they dissect it scene by scene. Noah reveals a surprising secret and, later, Frank answers questions from Council members.

The guys discuss whether they disagree enough, then list their least-favorite moments in the Marxes films. A quick trip to the news-desk is followed by a chat with renown author Joe Adamson ("Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo”), who discusses the origins of the book and which film his views have changed the most in the years since. End Music: "Beer Barrel Polka" from "At The Circus” Homepage: https://marxcast.blogspot.com Join the lively discussion on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1389369721281242 Contact us at: [email protected]

In the inaugural episode, Matthew, Bob, and Noah introduce themselves, discuss the pronunciation of Chico's name ("Chico"), and give their quick thoughts on each of the Marxes 13 starring films... Visit us online at: https://www.marxbrotherscouncilpodcast.com/ Join the lively discussion on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1389369721281242 Contact us at: [email protected]