The Marx Brothers Scrapbook

by Richard J. Anobile and Groucho Marx

Book Overview

On January 17, 1913, alone and near starvation, Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, was hauling a sledge to get back to base camp. The dogs were gone. Now Mawson himself... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517515466
• ISBN13: 9780517515464
• Release Date: January 1973
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 2.31 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Treasure Trove for Marx Fans!

Needless to say, this book is indespensible for fans of the Marx Brothers, as it offers fantasticly rare photos and fascinating insights from Groucho and many others. Many people complain about Groucho's use of four letter words. Personally, what I found more objectionable was the author's occasional tendency to be pushy, even bullying with his subject. I mean first of all, Groucho was 80 years old and couldn't be expected to recall everything. Second, this is Grouch Marx, even in his younger days he wasn't exactly into giving straight answers! It felt like the author was too busy fighting with Groucho for accuracy, rather than just letting him be himself.

The Marx Bros. Scrapbook

A great Marx Brothers book. The extensive interviews make this book great. It is loaded with interviews, not only with Groucho but Zeppo, Morrie Ryskind, Robert Florey, Harry Ruby and others. Richard Anobile spent quite a bit of time with Groucho in the mid-1970's. Many great pictures are also included. The only negative is Groucho's use of four-letter words. For accuracies sake I suppose they should have been included. However, I could have lived with a few "****" s instead of......well I can't type that here.

Read what Groucho sued to stop publication of

In his second book on the Marx Brothers (the first being 1971's "Why A Duck?") Richard J. Anobile conducted lengthy interviews with Groucho, Gummo, Zeppo, Harpo's widow Susan, and Jack Benny, among others. Most of the book is Groucho speaking, and his recollections are fascinating and brutally honest. Frequently the eighty-two-year old comedy giant lashes out at the twenty-six-year old Anobile: "Fifty years ago! How the hell am I supposed to remember what I did fifty years ago?" Gummo is pleasant and cooperative, more so than Zeppo, who was no doubt squirming about that card game that was getting away. Susan Marx is blunt about Groucho's caustic tongue and Chico's gambling. Groucho's four-letter words, which are in abundance, found their way into the final print and Groucho sued for $15,000,000.00 to stop publication. This was settled in Anobile's favor as Groucho signed all the releases. Steve Stoliar, a college student who worked for Groucho and helped get "Animal Crackers" re-released, says he doesn't doubt Groucho used that language, but never thought that Anobile would include it. Son Arthur Marx attributed it to his father's advanced age. This can't be recommended enough for Marx Brothers fans; it's a treasure trove of information, tidbits, and gossip.

Marx Maddness!

The Marx Brothers were arguably the greatest comic act of the century and 'The Marx Brothers Scrapbook' brings the heart and soul of the great performers to life. With engaging interviews, hirlarous anecdotes, and moving glimpses into the brother's lives, this book is a must for any die-hard Marx fan. Especially remarkable is the look author Anibole gives us of Groucho in his latter years. Fantastic!

I loved it

A book that displays Groucho as he was. If a true fan reads this, they should understand his unfortunate display of vulgarities related to the incedible childhood and subsequent amazing career paths of the brothers. In order to appreciate this book, you must read Harpo's account in "Harpo Speaks", as well as any thing by Adamson that you can.