Contract Bridge Books

“The man most responsible for the popularization of bridge, Ely Culbertson, came to Hollywood in early 1933 to make a series of short films at RKO. He quickly met some of the town’s best players. Lionel Barrymore threw a bridge party honoring Culbertson. Seen playing with him in a widely circulated newspaper photo of the event were Bebe Daniels, Joe Schenck, and Zeppo. At another table Chico played in a foursome with Mrs. Culbertson. Culbertson had made bridge big news by accepting challenges and generally beating everyone. When Zeppo and Chico challenged him, Culbertson accepted, and a pair of matches was set. Invitations were sent for a match at Paramount on February 22 and another at RKO the following day.
Then Culbertson had second thoughts—probably after playing with Zeppo and Chico at the Barrymore party. He claimed to have thought the Marx challenge was a joke, and he was astonished to learn they were serious about it. Chico was quoted in wire service stories saying, “We are disappointed that he withdrew. I have a new system that will beat Culbertson. I challenge him to a match with a $5,000 side wager.” Culbertson was not known to have turned down any other challengers, but he ducked the Marxes, who were among Hollywood’s best players.”
― Robert S. Bader, Zeppo: The Reluctant Marx Brother