Monkey Business: The Lives and Legends of The Marx Brothers

by Simon Louvish

Strange but this is the first authentic account of the Marx Brothers, their origins and of the roots of their comedy.

First and foremost, this is the saga of a family whose theatrical roots stretch back to mid-19th century Germany. From Groucho Marx's first warblings with the singing Leroy Trio, this book brings to life the vanished world of America's wild and boisterous variety circuits, leading to the Marx Brothers' Broadway successes, and their alliance with New York's theatrical lions, George S. Kaufman and the 'Algonquin Round Table'.

Never-before-published scripts, well-minted Marxian dialogue, and much madness and mayham feature in this tale of the Brothers' battles with Hollywood, their films, their loves and marriages, and the story of the forgotten brother Gummo.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Comedy, History, Humor, Media Tie In

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Simon Louvish (born 1947 in Scotland) is an Israeli author and film maker. He has written many books about Avram Blok, a fictional Israeli caught up between wars, espionage, prophets, revolutions, loves, and a few near apocalypses.

He has also written biographies of W. C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Groucho Marx, Laurel and Hardy, and Mack Sennett.

Reviews

[Craig Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

And interesting account of the extraordinary lives of some of the pillars of American comedy. I was, however, somewhat disappointed in the writing itself. Among other things, I was annoyed at how often the author would reference himself at several points during the story. In a forward or even an epilogue of the story of other historical people, it would be acceptable for an author to offer a personal opinion or background on their studies, but doing it at several points throughout the book takes the reader out of the subject matter, and constantly reminds them that they're not there in the first half of the twentieth century witnessing the lives of the masters of comedy, but rather simply reading the culmination of someone's research and interviews. A biographer should never use the word "I" in a book (unless of course, they're directly quoting someone).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time to decide how many stars to give this book, and I'm still not sure if I made the best choice with three. This is a well-written, engaging book, and a lot of time, effort, and research went into the making of it.

As I was reading it, however, I felt like there was something bothering me, a nagging feeling that continued until I finally narrowed it down: the fact that the author seemed to take a certain malicious glee in revealing the foibles and the flaws of the Marx Brothers. If Simon Louvish was a friend, he'd be the sort of friend that talked you up to your face, only to turn around and reveal all of your dark, personal secrets to the world the moment you turned your back.

He spent an excessive amount of time discussing such topics as the Marx Brothers lying about their ages (not exactly an uncommon occurrence in Hollywood), the ways their marriages and relationships fell apart, the times they fell afoul of the law, and all the times their shows and projects flopped. If the Marx Brothers were living today, this is exactly the sort of thing that would been printed in the tabloids.

There's certainly a place for discourse on the clay feet of our idols. Discussion about their fears, failures, and vulnerabilities helps to keep them real and accessible, and this book certainly has that going for it. However, the vague feeling that Louvish was relishing stabbing our heroes in the back left something of a sour taste in my mouth.

But the thing is, having read quite a few books about the Marx Brothers, I'd have to rate this as probably the best one not written by a Marx.(Harpo Speaks! remains my favorite, and the book I most enjoyed.) Monkey Business is complete, well-researched, and informative. I just wish it had a more friendly tone.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently saw a state production of Animal Crackers in Ashland, OR, and became fascinated (again) with these guys. The actors were great and a young woman in the bookstore told me that the fellow who played Groucho is painfully shy. Coulda fooled me!!!

Although the author doesn't write very well, he does give a wealth of information. First of all, a grouch bag was the place where vaudevillians kept their money, hence Groucho. He also places the group within the ancient comedic tradition of a smart guy (Groucho), a dumb guy (Chico) and a mute (guess who?) Other stories are great as well. I had no idea that it took the group well into their 20's/30's to gel into the manic stars they became.

Chico's daughter has published a memoir in which she states that the guys were actually 5 times as manic off-stage as on.

Imagine having to live with that!!!!!!!

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked this one. It gets bogged down in the early period trying to sort out the hearsay of their European ancestry, but once it's solidly established in the Brother's timeline, it's very enjoyable

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! I wish there was more on Chico, Gummo and Zeppo, but I guess there isn’t as much to draw from for them. The writer seems to go out of his way to disparage some people’s weight in this which became a bit tiresome. Still, a really good summary of the lives of some of the best screen comedians of all time.

[Phil Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best, most thorough biography of the Marx Brothers' careers and lives. I am a lifelong fan of the Brothers, and own several books about them and by them. Decided to give this a second read, roughly twenty years after the first, and enjoyed it just as much. Louvish takes an almost dissertation-ly approach, giving us an accepted 'fact', then triangulating his sources to find out the truth behind the showbiz legend that has become a factoid over several generations. Deeply entertaining, and although thoroughgoing, it is written in a very approachable, un-academic style. Everything you could want to know in one handy reference book. It has now whetted my appetite for a re-read (third or fourth time) of 'The Groucho Letters' and most definitely of 'Harpo Speaks', for my money the most entertaining book ever written.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last month I watched a special on PBS I believe about the relationship between Groucho and Dick Cavett. An excellent show which inspired me to read this which has been on my to-read shelf for a while. There was a lot here I just wasn't interested in but there was plenty I enjoyed. The brothers mother, Minnie, was a force of nature who stopped at nothing to help promote her boys. All the vaudeville stories were funny. Moving their vaudeville shows to Broadway and then to the movies was interesting. Learning about each of them and their personalities was often surprising. Lots of scripts from Broadway and Hollywood which were fun to read. But the thing I enjoyed most and is probably the reason I bought and read the book is to enjoy Groucho's smart-ass mouth. He has always made me laugh and may be the first comedian I remember. Highly recommended to the right person.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Didn't learn much, except that they were Vaudeville veterans who gained success on the silver screen. Chico like to gamble. Not recommended

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is lauded (Indeed, it lauds itself on the back cover) as "The first full and properly researched biography of all five Marx Brothers." I am a huge fan of the Marx Brothers, but the sad truth is that the last of them died in 1979. They have made as many films as they are going to make. Many books about them have crossed my path, and I have already immersed myself in their complex lives and flawed characters. So first, I would argue that numerous well-researched biographies have already been written. Louvish delves a bit deeper into their genealogy than most other authors, but this section of the book is ponderous and nowhere near as interesting as when the family tree bears the fruit that the brothers became. Second, this book is by no means a "full biography" of "all five" Marx Brothers. For example, their earliest years as performers receive due attention, but at the time, the "team" consisted only of Groucho and Gummo, and they were singers, not comedians. The early lives of Chico and Harpo are rehashed, but nothing emerges that has not been covered before. Another argument against "full biography" is that poor Zeppo, who often railed against being left out of the comedic hijinks, is overlooked yet again. His endeavors once he decided to leave the team are mentioned but offer no new insights. I did not know about his legal troubles and his marital history, but surely these misadventures deserve more than a few sentences toward the end?

Like most books that tout themselves as a a "fully researched biography of all five brothers," Monkey Business ends up being mostly about Groucho. True, his life was a often bumpy ride. But I already knew that he lost most of his savings in the Crash of '29, and suffered lifelong insomnia as a result. I knew of his three tumultuous marriages to progressively younger women, and how each of them turned to alcohol as they withered under the lash of his relentless barbs (the kind of which "I was only joking" suffices but once as an apology). I knew the tragedy of his late life, and his erratic treatment at the hands of Erin Fleming. Of course, the most modern generation of readers will want to know about Groucho, as he remains very much a public figure. But those very same readers may not even know that he was once the headliner of a popular comedy team of brothers, and they will not be much more enlightened after this reading.

All of that said, Louvish interjects an entertaining writing style while acting as a scholar. The text of the book compares favorably to a few dreamy hours spent reliving memories of a lifetime. It revisits old stories that evoke pleasant memories, and corrects a few technical inaccuracies. That the content has been covered competently elsewhere matters little.

[Nathan Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up because I was in the mood to learn about vaudeville, which is a second-hand source of fascination because of how many entertainers I care about got their start there but I keep realizing I know very little about it on a fundamental level, beyond what I've absorbed from various portrayals and descriptions over the years. I'm a pretty casual Marx Brothers fan but I'm familiar enough with their work, and certainly with the fact that they cut their teeth in showbiz long before the film industry really existed so this book seemed like a logical way in.

But while this is a very impressive and well-written book, it's clearly written with the hard-boiled Marxist in mind; many passages are clearly written with the understanding that one already has a pretty advanced intimacy with the lore of the five Marxes, their surviving work and their background and thus proceeds to delve into the minute details of their arc and legacy. It's a dense book and I found it rather a lot to take in (it took me an entire month to finish because each chapter is such a deep dive), and not the least bit the relaxing bit of escapism I sort of wanted; I still admired it quite a bit, though. I now know more than I ever wanted to know about the creative and personal declines of the individual Marxes, especially Groucho, but perversely those are also the most immediately entertaining parts of the book...

[Adam Rosenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched this biographical account of the 5 brothers is amusing, comprehensive and informative. Besides the exacting descriptions of their well-known films (pure chaos) and TV appearances, I learned a great deal about that American art form, vaudeville, which is where the Marx's honed their inimitable zaniness. Louvish lovingly looks at their personalities when they weren't performing and finds their individual peccadillos both hear-wrenching and gracious. You have Groucho's acerbic wit which sent two of his wives to drink, Chico's inveterate gambling ruling his life, Harpo's gentleness and love of music, plus Zeppo and Gummo trying to compete with their iconic brothers. Louvish paints the fame and fortune of their lives with all the accompanying warts. If you're a fan, pick it up.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of the Marx Bros. (including Gummo!) is Comprehensive and entertaining as can be. Hilarious inside accounts of incidents aside from the films were a welcome touch. Every Marx brother had their strong points and vices/ cons displayed. This is what you would desire in a biography, to know flaws make them human and it makes you appreciate their best traits even more knowing the struggles. It seemed fair to both accounts and point of views from former wives, children, etc. It is on the longer side, though I find I wanted to read even more when I was done, which for me is odd. I read a book to finish it for sure, but desiring more shows a ton (praise wise) about the subjects Simon Louvish wrote about.

[David Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a not entirely successful view of the lives and careers of the Marx brothers. From the attraction of the Al Hirshfeld cover of my edition, the author squeezed in a high level of research.

The Wilson Mizner quote regarding research and plagiarism is cited and Louvish seems to regularly acknowledge a debt to Paul Wesolowski and Joe Adamson -not to mention both Harpo's and Groucho's autobiographies - so that one is left with the conclusion that there is little new insight.

I felt short changed and would suggest that anyone interested in the subject would be wiser to read any of the four sources that Louvish plundered.

[Matthew Bowling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louvish does a great job of telling the Marx story, but he tends to interject himself in ala Groucho with asides and witticisms that feel out of place in the context of being one of the only authoritative bios of the Marx Brothers. Some sections of their lives are obscured by the commentary. In many cases, the movies felt glossed over.

[Ralphz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of the Marx Brothers that doesn't forget what Gummo and Zeppo brought to the show.

The pursuit of the truth is a goal of this book, but the author is honest that you can't always know. When he can't sort it out, he presents different stories, from different people's memories, and lets the reader sort it out.

It seems you get the warts-and-all look at the brothers, and it's not all attractive.

For example, Groucho is largely blamed for his wives' alcoholism, saying that was their only respite from his verbal abuse. This is at odds with another book on Groucho that I've read, and reviewed, called Groucho: The Life and Times of Julius Henry Marx. Which is the truth? I don't know.

Ultimately, what we should take away from the Marx Brothers is the terrific films - and the not-so-good ones, too - that are their legacy and gift.

Read more of my reviews on Ralphsbooks.

[Bobby Panichella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read about The Marx Brothers

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book I always loved their movies

[Christie Mallowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imprescindible para quien, como yo, sienta admiración por los Hermanos Marx.

[Lee B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can’t dispute the most in depth research and enthusiasm but sadly doesn’t make for a great read. Too much detail not enough heart and story.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

[from my blog: http://blog.whistledance.net/2006/01/... ]

After a recent spate of Marx-Brothers-movie-watching, I went and found Monkey Business, by Simon Louvish to read more about them. Fascinating. I had never even realized there was a fifth brother, Gummo Marx, who never went so far in show biz with the others. The most fun bit, though, may be reading bits of scripts that never made it into movies. I especially loved this quote, from a show called "On the Balcony" in the '20's, before their movie days. Groucho is trying to get some musicians to stand in for his unmusical sons, for reasons hopefully relevant to the plot:

Groucho (on the telephone): Hello, Gumchewer, give me two wrong numbers, then give me the Musicians' Union. "Union," u-n-u-n. Hello Une. Say, have you got a couple of men who are out of work? Oh, they're all out of work? Oh, it's a union. Well, send me a couple of men who look like me. What do I look like? Did you ever see Lincoln without a beard? Well, I look like Washington with a mustache. (pg. 126)

Good stuff.

[Siany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I believe that Tone has my copy, Tone??? I had intended to fly to the U.S to make a documentary after reading one of the 'urban legends' in this book, still on my list of to do's, pfff.

If you are even remotely amused by The Marx Brothers then you should read this. Simon Louvish also wrote 'Man on the Flying Trapeze' (W.C Fields), another great read in my expert opinion!

[jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

there are little details i love and remember: like the story of a young harpo going to a piano-playing job in chico's place and getting fired for playing the same song over and over again. and any story about the boys doing vaudeville.

it was also incredibly sad to read about the end of groucho's life, how he was taken advantage of and then, at his death, not properly celebrated because of the death of another legend, elvis presley.

good reading if you're a fan.

[Rozonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me feel something I hadn't felt for some time- wishing for a book not to end. Informative and entertaining at the same time,funny at some moments, moving at others, and giving a historical and social context to the Brothers, their lives and their work, this book comes from a real Marx Bros fan but at the same time is de-mythifying and explores all sides of Groucho and his brothers, the nice ones and the not-so-nice. Great job, specially for fans like me.

[Kelseyflora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably only appeals to those most rabid of Marx Brothers fans, but for that set (however large or small it may be), this book is the ultimate. Aside from reading fanzines written by 80-year-old men in their garages, this is the best way to get the inside scoop on the lives of Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and even Zeppo, which were so masked by their antics and characters.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't what I had been looking for. This book is perfect for people who are interested more in their theatre career and filmography. I was hoping for more of a book about the men behind the myth

[Atchisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It's a really neat behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the Marx Brothers. Can read and reread. Never gets old.

[Jerry Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers (all five of them).

[Paul Ditroia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read dozens of books on the Marx Brothers as a whole and individually and this is by far the most insightful, well-researched I have come across.

[Jamie (jamie.reads.books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny. The Marx brothers were just as crazy in life as they were on the big screen.

[Sorrythankyou79 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the marx brothers, but I found this book really hard to read. Lots of off topic ramblings and jumping around of the story...
I was hoping I'd love it, so I am disappointed. :(