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Coffee with...
Coffee with Groucho
With a foreword by the actor, director, and playwright described as “the greatest living exponent of Groucho Marx’s material” by The New York Times, and text by the author of Monkey Business, a biography of the Marx Brothers, this bio brings the wisecracking, cigar-chomping, eyebrow-raising comedian to life on the page. Groucho discusses such issues as the film Duck Soup, the rules of comedy, the directors he worked with, and his talented brothers Harpo and Chico (“You know, of course, those two aren’t really acting when they play those scenes. They’re just being themselves.”).
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2007
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63 people want to read
About the author
Simon Louvish
25 books10 followersSimon 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.
He has also written biographies of W. C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Groucho Marx, Laurel and Hardy, and Mack Sennett.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 21, 2015
This coffee-time chat with Groucho Marx is noted as being fictional and as such one has to take some of the material with a pinch of salt. Did Groucho actually say something like that in his life or is it all fiction?
Obviously some of the quotes are pure Groucho, and are well known for that, and his views on the films that the brothers made are no doubt taken from some of his published material.
But for all that it is an entertaining read and certainly makes one wish that a coffee break could have been spent with Groucho for he was certainly very funny. His views, real or imagined, on such as director Irving Thalberg are particularly interesting for he reckoned that after Thalberg died at age 35 the Marx Brothers never made anything as good again. He also discusses other stars that he worked with and gives an insight into life living and working with his brothers.
The lengthy introduction is ideal for it gives plenty of biographical information about the Marx family and Groucho in particular, so, even if much of the rest is apocryphal, that part is indeed true. It does make one feel that a re-watch of some of those hilarious movies is worth the effort - I must look some out.
Obviously some of the quotes are pure Groucho, and are well known for that, and his views on the films that the brothers made are no doubt taken from some of his published material.
But for all that it is an entertaining read and certainly makes one wish that a coffee break could have been spent with Groucho for he was certainly very funny. His views, real or imagined, on such as director Irving Thalberg are particularly interesting for he reckoned that after Thalberg died at age 35 the Marx Brothers never made anything as good again. He also discusses other stars that he worked with and gives an insight into life living and working with his brothers.
The lengthy introduction is ideal for it gives plenty of biographical information about the Marx family and Groucho in particular, so, even if much of the rest is apocryphal, that part is indeed true. It does make one feel that a re-watch of some of those hilarious movies is worth the effort - I must look some out.
November 9, 2021
This is an odd book with a fictional conversation with Groucho. Interestingly, he did say most of this, just not to the author. He said it in other interviews and such so this was his voice for sure.
February 17, 2009
Since 2007, Duncan Baird Publishers has been publishing its Coffee With…Series. The publisher asks experts on a high profile, not-easily-forgotten celebrities (like Hemingway, Plato, Mozart, and more) to imagine they were conducting an interview over coffee with that certain famous someone. The little books become “fictional dialogues based on biographical facts.”
In this instance, Marx Brothers biographer Simon Louvish chatted with Groucho Marx at the comedian’s favorite Beverly Hills’s deli, Nate ‘N’ Al’s. “The conversation covers twelve themes,” in which the oldest Marx brother talk about his life and his brothers.
The themes start with “Getting Started” in show business, from vaudeville to silent movies, to the talkies, to radio and, finally, for Groucho, television. Louvish asks questions that the general reader may be interested to learn the answers. Louvish does a great job in mimicking Grouch’s voice and syntax.
Other themes in this small book, a mere 150 pages include “Adapting to War and Movies”; “Family, Marriage, and Consequences”; “The Marx Brothers in Hollywood”; “Television and the ‘Secret Word’”; and “The Summing Up, or Life Lessons of an Old Ham.” Each topic is brief and can easily be read one sitting.
The forward to this little gem is by none other than Frank Ferrante, “actor and director described by the New York Times as ‘the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.’”
I enjoyed my pithy visit with Groucho, who died in 1977. I remember him from appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was funny then and remains funny today.
Review originally appeared on www.armchairinterviews.com
In this instance, Marx Brothers biographer Simon Louvish chatted with Groucho Marx at the comedian’s favorite Beverly Hills’s deli, Nate ‘N’ Al’s. “The conversation covers twelve themes,” in which the oldest Marx brother talk about his life and his brothers.
The themes start with “Getting Started” in show business, from vaudeville to silent movies, to the talkies, to radio and, finally, for Groucho, television. Louvish asks questions that the general reader may be interested to learn the answers. Louvish does a great job in mimicking Grouch’s voice and syntax.
Other themes in this small book, a mere 150 pages include “Adapting to War and Movies”; “Family, Marriage, and Consequences”; “The Marx Brothers in Hollywood”; “Television and the ‘Secret Word’”; and “The Summing Up, or Life Lessons of an Old Ham.” Each topic is brief and can easily be read one sitting.
The forward to this little gem is by none other than Frank Ferrante, “actor and director described by the New York Times as ‘the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.’”
I enjoyed my pithy visit with Groucho, who died in 1977. I remember him from appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was funny then and remains funny today.
Review originally appeared on www.armchairinterviews.com
December 21, 2017
This is a slight book, but I loved it. Funny and really captures the spirit of Groucho's humor.
November 19, 2012
I remember loving the Marx Brothers movies as a kid. Harpo was my favorite, I was so jealous of his musical talents. Oh how I wanted to play the harp and flute and piano. So when I saw this book I had to read it. I was so excited about the concept of an interview with Groucho over coffee, that excitement lasted about 20 to 30 pages. After that I started to tire of the answers, they were disjointed and all over the place, random quotes from previous interviews, biographies and movie lines. I did gain some new insight into the personal lives of the brothers and this book left me wanting a more serious read of their lives.
December 30, 2007
Since I was fortunate enough to do the Hemingway entry in this series, I felt like I owed it to the publishers to support it by getting the other six books and actually reading them. I did Groucho first because he seemed the most accessible and I knew a lot less about him than Marilyn and Oscar Wilde. I thought Simon did a nice job of integrating the zippy one-liners into his narrative. The voice works well---like with Hemingway, it would've been easy to caricature a Marx Brothers' conversation, but there's nice variation in tone and the sadness behind Groucho's facade comes through.
December 3, 2009
I enjoyed reading this book. It got me thinking about the immigrant experience in general. Now I want to know more about the Hays Code of 1934. I notice my public library has this book but no DVDs or even VHS copies of any Marx Brothers movie. Likewise the Family Video store in town. But the book gave me a few laughs and some real info I didn't know before reading it.
December 31, 2007
Bought it for Sian, read it first. I know, i know.. "bad husband."
Was hilarious and i learned that Harpo's wig was actually red.
Was hilarious and i learned that Harpo's wig was actually red.
June 12, 2008
Awful! And annoying. And asinine. Read one of Groucho's autobiographies instead (GROUCHO & ME, MEMOIRS OF A MANGY LOVER), then it's really in his voice instead of someone playing dress up.
May 1, 2012
Louvish use of wisecracks moves the narrative along. If you the opportunity to attend a Frank Ferrante performance arises, take it you will not be disappointed.
August 29, 2012
Nice idea. Essentially recreates Groucho in conversation by using lines from films, old interviews, his books, etc. Fun if you're a fan, but a little bogged in exposition at times.
May 3, 2017
Nice little book from exhaustive writer Louvish, who has covered old time comedians with depth and detail.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews