The secret word is Groucho

by Groucho Marx

Groucho tells it like it was, in a book that contains the best humor, dialogue, and repartee from his TV spectacular, You Bet Your Life.The show was one of the most popular of all time and continues to draw millions of viewers during its frequent reruns all across the country. Now Groucho describes the origins of You Bet Your Life, its trial-and-error period, and how it became one of the most successful shows in television history. He has compiled the cream of the weekly jesting, the sidesplitting ad libs and antics. There are hilarious exchanges with stars such as Jack Benny, George Burns, Phyllis Diller, Liberace, Dick Cavett, and Edgar Bergen. There are many “civilian” (noncelebritiy) contestants who matched wits with the irrepressible Groucho and provided us with classic moments in TV comedy (who could forget such guests as the man who played the tube, Mrs. Housing Department, and Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, to name only a few?)Groucho includes many behind-the-scenes anecdotes, with reminiscences by the writers, directors, and producer of You Bet Your Life, including the ever smiling George Fennemen, producer and announcer. The typical audience “warm up” session between Fennemen and Groucho is one of the highlights of the book.From start to finish, The Secret Word of Groucho is vintage mirth making with an irresistible nostalgic appeal topped off with informal photographs that catch guests and celebrities off guard. Groucho, now eighty-five years old, is still up to his raffish level of humor and proves once again that for everyone who likes to laugh—the secret word is GROUCHO.

Genres: Humor, Biography, Nonfiction, Tv, Film, Memoir

217 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 1976

About the author

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx, was an American comedian and film star. He is famed as a master of wit. He made 15 feature films with his siblings, the Marx Brothers, and also had a successful solo career, most notably as the host of the radio and television game show, You Bet Your Life. He had a distinctive image, which included a heavy greasepaint moustache and eyebrows, and glasses.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little disappointing- there was a good deal of rehashing from Groucho's other books, and it was organized rather poorly. There were lots of inserts from various other people involved with You Bet Your Life, but they were often stuck in rather randomly, and instead of adding to the text, merely made it feel fragmented.

However, for anyone who was a big fan of the show, there are some bits that make the book worth a look through, at least.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book is Groucho talking about You Bet Your Life with added comments by others involved in the show. The most interesting bit to me was the story of Jerry Fielding who refused to testify for the House Un-American Activities Committee which cost him his job on the show. I was impressed that the authors let him tell his side of the story and admitted they treated Fielding poorly.
The worst parts of the book were transcripts of Groucho's talks with the contestants. I'm sure the banter was much funnier to watch than to read.
I always take the dust covers off my hardbacks before reading them. I quite like the book design which pictured an imprint of Groucho on the cover.

[Gregory Kuchmek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wit here is unstoppable! Truly good and funny!

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read some time in 1978