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Gimme a Thrill
A BROADWAY LEGEND OF 1924
Includes more than eighty rare photographs, some published here for the first time.
Before they made the films which are their principal legacy, the Marx Brothers were the stars of three Broadway musicals in the 1920s. Two of these, The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers, are popular classics, familiar from the Brothers’ immortal film versions, and from numerous stage revivals. But the boys’ 1924 Broadway debut, I’ll Say She Is, was never filmed or revived, and it slipped through history’s fingers. Although it was the most successful thing the Marx Brothers ever did on stage, it was unseen for ninety years after the original production closed, and has been considered a lost work.
In 2009, writer, performer, lyricist, and Groucho Marxist Noah Diamond began a seven-year odyssey which led to the restoration, adaptation, and finally the historic first revival of this legendary entry in the Marx and musical theatre canons. Gimme a Thrill tells the whole story for the first time—the complete history of I’ll Say She Is from 1923 to 2014.
Noah Diamond adapted the book and lyrics for I’ll Say She Is and has a long history of playing Groucho, on and off the stage. He is among the organizers of Marxfest, New York City’s Marx Brothers festival, and has written and lectured widely on the Marxes and their work. With his partner Amanda Sisk, he wrote and produced the Nero Fiddled musicals, a series of political satires. His previous books are 400 Years in Manhattan and Love Marches On.
Includes more than eighty rare photographs, some published here for the first time.
Before they made the films which are their principal legacy, the Marx Brothers were the stars of three Broadway musicals in the 1920s. Two of these, The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers, are popular classics, familiar from the Brothers’ immortal film versions, and from numerous stage revivals. But the boys’ 1924 Broadway debut, I’ll Say She Is, was never filmed or revived, and it slipped through history’s fingers. Although it was the most successful thing the Marx Brothers ever did on stage, it was unseen for ninety years after the original production closed, and has been considered a lost work.
In 2009, writer, performer, lyricist, and Groucho Marxist Noah Diamond began a seven-year odyssey which led to the restoration, adaptation, and finally the historic first revival of this legendary entry in the Marx and musical theatre canons. Gimme a Thrill tells the whole story for the first time—the complete history of I’ll Say She Is from 1923 to 2014.
Noah Diamond adapted the book and lyrics for I’ll Say She Is and has a long history of playing Groucho, on and off the stage. He is among the organizers of Marxfest, New York City’s Marx Brothers festival, and has written and lectured widely on the Marxes and their work. With his partner Amanda Sisk, he wrote and produced the Nero Fiddled musicals, a series of political satires. His previous books are 400 Years in Manhattan and Love Marches On.
- GenresHistory
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 11, 2020
I can't remember when I watched my first Marx Brothers movie (or which one it was), but I was probably pretty young, and it was probably Duck Soup. It's a family favorite that we re-watch often. I do know that I only just recently learned about the infamous "lost musical" (AKA the one that never got filmed, unlike their other two Broadway musicals, Animal Crackers and The Cocoanuts).
As a Marx brothers fan, I found this book absolutely fascinating. I loved reading about the brothers on Broadway, especially Groucho's various ad-libs as reported by newspapers at the time, and the second half, about the reconstruction of the script and music almost ninety years later, was just as good. I'm only disappointed that the show is no longer playing, on or off Broadway.
The only thing I didn't thoroughly enjoy was the fact that I (and my entire family) have been mispronouncing 'Chico' for decades. That's right, it was originally spelled 'Chicko' because Leonard Marx was an infamous ladies man, and while the 'k' was dropped for whatever reason, the pronunciation stayed the same. Ridiculous. Outrageous. Noah Diamond, why did you make this information known to me? I was happy in my ignorance.
As a Marx brothers fan, I found this book absolutely fascinating. I loved reading about the brothers on Broadway, especially Groucho's various ad-libs as reported by newspapers at the time, and the second half, about the reconstruction of the script and music almost ninety years later, was just as good. I'm only disappointed that the show is no longer playing, on or off Broadway.
The only thing I didn't thoroughly enjoy was the fact that I (and my entire family) have been mispronouncing 'Chico' for decades. That's right, it was originally spelled 'Chicko' because Leonard Marx was an infamous ladies man, and while the 'k' was dropped for whatever reason, the pronunciation stayed the same. Ridiculous. Outrageous. Noah Diamond, why did you make this information known to me? I was happy in my ignorance.
January 13, 2023
This is a hell of a story to tell, and it is told here in two acts. The first half of the book is a well-researched history of a cultural artifact. The second is the inspiring story of how the author brought that artifact back to life on the New York stage.
The Marx Brothers began their careers on stage and spent many years working their way up from the smallest venues on the vaudeville circuit to eventually performing three major Broadway productions. The last two of these plays, Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers were eventually adapted into motion pictures. This is the story of the other one. I'll Say She is never became a movie but it is the work that put the Marx Brothers into the center of popular culture.
The first half of this book is devoted to the history of the play as it was performed in the 1920s. Diamond researched this subject meticulously and he details the process of how the movie was conceived, written and tweaked across a two year run beginning in Philadelphia, leading to Broadway and ending in Detroit when Chico Marx disappeared for a few days on a gambling bender that would probably make good fodder for a book of its own if Chico had ever gotten around to writing it down.
The second half of the book is what sets Gimme a Thrill apart from other show biz histories. Mr. Diamond tells the very real and personal story of how he meticulously recreated and (where necessary) adapted I'll Say She is for a revival 90 years after the original production.
This book should be read by anyone with a creative dream, especially if that dream is tied to an intense appreciation of a particular artist. Noah labored to recreate a workable script, stage directions, costumes and music from a play that was never recorded. The process of how he scraps together the spine of a show is awe inspiring. He tracks down bits of dialogue from reviews in newspapers and columns written almost a century before. A key moment is when he connects with the great granddaughter of the man who wrote the original songs.
We get loving descriptions of what it was like to make a discovery, to fit it into this new production or to discard it. As the project progresses from dream to reality, Noah works with an impressive team of New York theater folk. The pages are filled with his obvious appreciation of every member of this team. It is a wonderful story of creation and appreciation.
The new production is a big success with critics. I'll Say She is back in our culture now. You can see clips of it on YouTube and I don't doubt that there will be future productions for decades more to come.
I think that is a singular achievement in the history of fandom. This book is a valuable telling of that process. Recommended for anyone who loves the Marx Brothers or theater or the diligent work it takes to recreate something lost but fondly remembered.
The Marx Brothers began their careers on stage and spent many years working their way up from the smallest venues on the vaudeville circuit to eventually performing three major Broadway productions. The last two of these plays, Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers were eventually adapted into motion pictures. This is the story of the other one. I'll Say She is never became a movie but it is the work that put the Marx Brothers into the center of popular culture.
The first half of this book is devoted to the history of the play as it was performed in the 1920s. Diamond researched this subject meticulously and he details the process of how the movie was conceived, written and tweaked across a two year run beginning in Philadelphia, leading to Broadway and ending in Detroit when Chico Marx disappeared for a few days on a gambling bender that would probably make good fodder for a book of its own if Chico had ever gotten around to writing it down.
The second half of the book is what sets Gimme a Thrill apart from other show biz histories. Mr. Diamond tells the very real and personal story of how he meticulously recreated and (where necessary) adapted I'll Say She is for a revival 90 years after the original production.
This book should be read by anyone with a creative dream, especially if that dream is tied to an intense appreciation of a particular artist. Noah labored to recreate a workable script, stage directions, costumes and music from a play that was never recorded. The process of how he scraps together the spine of a show is awe inspiring. He tracks down bits of dialogue from reviews in newspapers and columns written almost a century before. A key moment is when he connects with the great granddaughter of the man who wrote the original songs.
We get loving descriptions of what it was like to make a discovery, to fit it into this new production or to discard it. As the project progresses from dream to reality, Noah works with an impressive team of New York theater folk. The pages are filled with his obvious appreciation of every member of this team. It is a wonderful story of creation and appreciation.
The new production is a big success with critics. I'll Say She is back in our culture now. You can see clips of it on YouTube and I don't doubt that there will be future productions for decades more to come.
I think that is a singular achievement in the history of fandom. This book is a valuable telling of that process. Recommended for anyone who loves the Marx Brothers or theater or the diligent work it takes to recreate something lost but fondly remembered.
October 11, 2022
I have a special attachment to this book and the theater project that it documents--i.e., the reconstruction and then production of a revival of I'll Say She Is at the New York International Fringe Festival. The reason for my attachment: the guiding light behind the project and author of this book, Noah Diamond, met the show's director, Trav S.D., in my living room (recording a podcast for our series, nytheatrecast).
Anyway, I was present for a lot of the steps in bringing this wonderful production to the stage, and it is lovely to have the whole thing documented in the second half of Noah's book. The first half tells the story of the show before that--it was the first Marx Brothers musical on Broadway, less famous than The Cocoanuts or Animal Crackers but perhaps more important historically. You'll learn a ton about the show and about all of its creators and its beloved stars in this book.
And Noah's brave journey to bring the show back to life 90 years after it had last been heard from--well, I'd call it quixotic except that he actually accomplished it! I have nothing but admiration for the hard work he and his many collaborators did to bring this dream to fruition. The book is a rare document of the theater process, and a lot of fun besides. Recommended for Marx Brothers fans and theater aficionados.
Anyway, I was present for a lot of the steps in bringing this wonderful production to the stage, and it is lovely to have the whole thing documented in the second half of Noah's book. The first half tells the story of the show before that--it was the first Marx Brothers musical on Broadway, less famous than The Cocoanuts or Animal Crackers but perhaps more important historically. You'll learn a ton about the show and about all of its creators and its beloved stars in this book.
And Noah's brave journey to bring the show back to life 90 years after it had last been heard from--well, I'd call it quixotic except that he actually accomplished it! I have nothing but admiration for the hard work he and his many collaborators did to bring this dream to fruition. The book is a rare document of the theater process, and a lot of fun besides. Recommended for Marx Brothers fans and theater aficionados.
July 4, 2017
A thorough overview of the Marx Brothers' time on Vaudeville and Broadway, as well as a fascinating general history of this time in American theater. The book remarkably gets even more fascinating in the second half, in which Diamond, a theater man himself, talks about his stage revival of a lost Marx Brothers play, which he obsessively spent years piecing together. But when you are writing about the Marx Brothers, a certain tone of ararchy feels required. Where are the anecdotes about the Brothers' outrageous behavior on and off stage? I never thought I would read a biography of the original Fab Four without ever emitting a single chuckle. That being said, I would love to see Diamond's revival of I'll Say She Is. He is certainly fascinated by the Marx Brothers, and the book's second half-- a love letter to them as he reintroduces the show to the world-- makes clear that he was the man for the job.
February 21, 2026
What a fabulous book. If you love the Marx Brothers (and if you don’t, what is wrong with you?) then you’ll love this book. Written with love and honour and so much respect for the boys.
The second part where Noah Diamond is preparing for the Marxfest as well as the Fringe Festival is awe inspiring in his dedication and his commitment to put on ‘I’ll Say She Is’ in all its former glory.
Would’ve loved to have seen it.
The second part where Noah Diamond is preparing for the Marxfest as well as the Fringe Festival is awe inspiring in his dedication and his commitment to put on ‘I’ll Say She Is’ in all its former glory.
Would’ve loved to have seen it.
August 7, 2017
Great story, bad formatting
For Marxists of the Groucho variety, a great gift- I would dearly love to see his update of this lost show played live. Unfortunately, the text seems to have gone from original hard copy typesetting to e-book formatting without intervening eyes for quality control.
For Marxists of the Groucho variety, a great gift- I would dearly love to see his update of this lost show played live. Unfortunately, the text seems to have gone from original hard copy typesetting to e-book formatting without intervening eyes for quality control.
December 26, 2018
What an utter delight. I'm actually sorry I'm done with it. It combines a wealth of Marxian scholarship on a subject most of us don't know (but want information on) with a personal perspective on performance, creativity, and being a New Yorker.
September 28, 2024
I’m not alone
For decades I’ve been drawn to the Algonquin circle, and I’ve stayed there with a side trip to the New Yorker. Diamond brings a precious era to life in the book, as he did on stage. I’m grateful to him for letting me time travel a hundred years back to 1924.
For decades I’ve been drawn to the Algonquin circle, and I’ve stayed there with a side trip to the New Yorker. Diamond brings a precious era to life in the book, as he did on stage. I’m grateful to him for letting me time travel a hundred years back to 1924.
May 31, 2026
A must reads for all good Marxists (of the Groucho variety.)
March 21, 2020
A huge slab of history.
A history of the Marx Brothers, Broadway, New York and Marx Brothers fandom.
Fun, funny and informative.
Great to read about Noah playing detective and piecing together 'I'll say she is'.
A history of the Marx Brothers, Broadway, New York and Marx Brothers fandom.
Fun, funny and informative.
Great to read about Noah playing detective and piecing together 'I'll say she is'.
August 8, 2016
I've been a Marx Brothers fan for almost 30 years now, which has included reading many retrospectives and biographies, along with watching numerous documentaries and interviews. After a while, you start to think there's nothing left to discover. That's why I really appreciate this book. I can't speak to the newbies or casual fans, but for this die-hard it was a breath of fresh air.
I realized while reading this that the Brothers' stage career is usually breezed over in other books, which gave Mr. Diamond a lot to explore. This isn't just the story of their first Broadway show, after all, but also about how they built up to it. The book really digs into the origins of the act and how their personas evolved over their vaudeville years to the ones we recognize today. The book also does a nice job of giving you a sense of the stage world, both vaudeville and Broadway, the Brothers came up in, which gives great insight into what made them special.
Just as interesting is the second half of the book, where Mr. Diamond finds and executes his mission of bringing I'll Say She Is back to the world. When you love an artist, or artists, from the past, there's always the inevitable let-down when you hit the end of the road; when there's no new work left to discover. There will never be a new Marx Brothers movie, which is why someone bringing back a lost gem is a gift to us all.
I realized while reading this that the Brothers' stage career is usually breezed over in other books, which gave Mr. Diamond a lot to explore. This isn't just the story of their first Broadway show, after all, but also about how they built up to it. The book really digs into the origins of the act and how their personas evolved over their vaudeville years to the ones we recognize today. The book also does a nice job of giving you a sense of the stage world, both vaudeville and Broadway, the Brothers came up in, which gives great insight into what made them special.
Just as interesting is the second half of the book, where Mr. Diamond finds and executes his mission of bringing I'll Say She Is back to the world. When you love an artist, or artists, from the past, there's always the inevitable let-down when you hit the end of the road; when there's no new work left to discover. There will never be a new Marx Brothers movie, which is why someone bringing back a lost gem is a gift to us all.
June 1, 2016
I was not expecting to like the second half (about the revival of the show) as much as the first. But it's a great story. Wish I was in NYC to see it on Broadway.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews