The Marx Bros. Scrapbook

by Groucho Marx, Richard J. Anobile

Photographs, letters, and other memorabilia are combined with interviews with Groucho and comments by personalities who have been associated with the celebrated Marx Brothers

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

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) 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 1 out of 5]

I seem to recall hearing that Groucho actually later tried to have this book blocked from publication, and I can understand why. First of all, I don't know what the compiler [Richard J. Anobile]
was thinking, but the interviews he recorded were desperately in need of some editing. There was no reason whatsoever to include everything, word for word. There were all sorts of completely off-topic asides that were neither relevant nor interesting. Hell, some of the interviews were themselves completely uninteresting- there was one, for example, with two reporters who had nothing new or interesting to add- they'd merely seen the Marx Brothers on stage once.

And it was glaringly obvious that Groucho was not the man he used to be. A kinder (and smarter) interviewer would have edited out a great deal (not to mention would have asked better questions).

There was also a lot of padding out of an already slim volume. Pages upon pages were taken up in displaying practically frame by frame screencaps of a couple of the more famous movie scenes. Reproductions of short letters took up enormous amounts of space.

There were still some things of interest- some of the interviews, some of the pictures and newspaper clippings- but on the whole, this was a disappointing and even occasionally upsetting book.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marx Book like no other.

Three things make this indespensible: photos and clippings from Groucho's personal collection; interviews with writers and relatives shedding light on the Brothers' careers; and lengthy interviews with an aging Groucho.

Groucho's interviews can be disturbing. He holds no punches, either not caring what people think, or not knowing that in the 1970's, people can print just about anything.

But you'll know a lot about an act worth knowing by the end of it. The Marx's off-screen antics are the only thing that ever topped their wonderful movies.

[George Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bathroom book = Some very interesting stories and remembrances. Probably for more of a Marx Bros fan than me. Lost of history goes unsaid as the author assumes the reader is familiar with the era and it's showbiz personalities

[David]

GROUCHO at his saltiest. Anobile pretty much transcribed interviews raw, so Groucho, at 82 or so, appears as a sex-obsessed old man. Honest and/or accurate, perhaps, but not particularly useful for so being.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly enjoyable romp down Marx Brothers memory lane. These interviews with the then surviving brothers and several folks involved in their careers interspersed with often rare photographs and clippings are a feast for the hungry Marxophile. The highlight and sometimes lowlight is the irascible octogenarian Groucho. Always the brightest and most loquacious of the brothers—sometimes Groucho delivers tasty barbs but other times he is just cranky—and prepare yourself for more than a few F-ing-bombs. Mostly that language refers to Chico’s off the set activities. I was particularly interested in the early years—their upbringing and movement into vaudeville. Some fascinating early pictures. Some fascinating early anecdotes. Like sitting around with family going through scrapbooks with someone old enough to tell you about them. Only with more profanity than your grandpa might use.

This book can also be used as a drinking game. Every time Groucho adds “He’s dead now” to the end of an anecdote—take a drink. You’ll be pasted in no time.

[Groucho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps it is worthwhile to read the additional interviews. Family members are interviewed--Gummo speaks (!), and both Susan and Zeppo talk (Zeppo fairly briefly--it's clear he doesn't want to be there) about how sad it is that Groucho feels the need to continue to appear given his declined state--a sentiment that does nothing to dissuade the author. Industry workers important to the development and writing of the Brothers' movies are also interviewed: Harry Ruby, Robert Foley (Director of The Cocounuts), Morrie Ryskand (writing partner of Kaufman), and Arthur Sheekman are also interviewed, as is Jack Benny.

However, given Groucho's advanced age and the medical conditions he had suffered through, the interviews with him him come off as exploitive, as Groucho appears at time extremely forgetful, confused, angry, and obscene.

[Anthony Bracciante · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sheds some interesting light on the Marx Brothers and the making primarily of their films.
I read it at the same time as Four of the Three Musketeers which tells the earlier history of how the act formed, evolved and performed in Vaudeville. A lot of the Scrapbook comes from interviews with Groucho Marx when he was in his 80s. He comes across as an angry old man; that has difficulty remembering dates and names; swears frequently; and is as sexually obsessed as a pubescent schoolboy. This book deserves an R rating and is far inferior to Four of the Three Musketeers. Read Harpo Speaks instead of this.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a 9 year old kid in the 70s, reading this R-rated collection of fragmented interviews with Groucho and some of his non-fraternal collaborators--Gummo and an extremely cranky Zeppo appear briefly--was eye-opening. Now it reads as a very entertaining but much-too-abbreviated book. A larger size volume would do justice to the many amazing photographs, but the inclusion of entire script pages feels like padding. The whole thing is over much too quick. Still enjoyable.

[Rozonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually this is a lovely book (lots of great photographs, press cuttings and other documents about the Brothers) and Anobile's interviews are also very revealing of the personalities behind the characters, with their qualities and faults (often accentuated by age, as in Groucho's case: he can be corrosive or downright cruel at times) A great book for Marxists everywhere.

[Maurice Tougas · Rating 3 out of 5]

So when your library and bookstores are closed, you have to go back to the bookshelf. I've had this book in paperback since 1975 (it cost $2.50), and it was worth a re-read, just to remind myself of the impact of the Marx Brothers. Groucho is, well, grouchy, and really foul-mouthed, but for film buffs this book is a treasure trove.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book. It is pretty much as described - a scrapbook; it includes loads of interviews, mostly with Groucho, photographs, reviews, ads, stills from the films etc. Reading the interviews with Groucho it's obvious how he got his stage name, I'm just surprised it wasn't Swearo rather than Groucho.

[Paul Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of work went into this book, including the interviews with Groucho by Richard Anobile. The sun set on the Marx brothers long ago, their relevance faded, and their racism showed through. They are part of American history now and this book is a reminder of all that.

[Ronald A. Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it when it first came out. Would like to read it again-R.H. (11-30-22.)

[Claude Vecht-Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Please be aware that it contains very strong language but it's a fascinating look at both the Marx Bros. and their output.

[Max Shenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. This is an oral history of the Marx Brothers, mainly told through hilariously unexpurgated interviews with 80-year-old Groucho, along with others who worked with the brothers during their stage and film careers. Groucho (or, maybe, his handlers) was upset that the interviews were entirely unedited (probably fearing a lawsuit from a couple people) but never did he sound more human and funny. The pictures (most of them from Groucho's collection) add to the book's appeal, and visually it's a great book... but the best part is those interviews: funny, sad, inflammatory, full of mnemonic holes and details contradicted by the other interviewees (it's funny and sad, for instance, to read Zeppo and Gummo and Groucho arguing with each other through their individual interviews, knowing they didn't really speak in person anymore), but no other book I've ever read has given me a feel for a time, place and people than this one did.

[Scott Wojtalik-courter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, but I love the subject, so it may not be something that the casual reader may enjoy. I read it with a fairly large grain of salt. Groucho was nicknamed intentionally as he could be a bit persnickety. He shows some of these colors here, but with often hilarious results. The interviewer could have been better; it often read like a nephew or some other tolerated child rather than an intelligent and well-informed scholar. But even in that it was fun. The pictures are great; the stories are great. Like most comedians they were somewhat if not tragically sad, Chico especially. It also paints a pretty decent picture of vaudeville and the early cinema.

[Michael Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Marx Brothers fan, this book really tells the story. It reads more like the account of 70s rock stars than the supposed innocence of those early movie times. Brazen stories of sexual conquests that will make you laugh and laugh. I originally read this book in college (looking through the library for books on my obsessions was my way of studying, I guess.) Really worth finding.

[Stephen Hero · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Present Day]

Medieval copyists introduced lowercase, word breaks, and punctuation. These innovations helped reduce the error rate.


[Flashback]

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ORPUNCTUATION

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique in that Groucho relates many personal anecdotes of the brothers' lives and career. Beware of Groucho's language though... a point of contention apparently when it was published. Zeppo and Gummo also have their say as well as Harpo's wife.

[Barbara Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not in-depth, but just what it says: a scrapbook of stills, quotes, etc., from the Marx Bros. movies. Fun stuff.

[Djll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this one when I was a kid, and loved it.

[Calvin]

Was unaware the other Brothers did not like Zeppo. Fairly interesting read.

[Robert Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff, although the interviews could have been edited, at all. I don't need to read about Groucho peeing.