Remembering the Marx Brothers

Today is August 19th...the anniversary of the
death of one of America's best and most-loved
comedians....Groucho Marx. He was one of 5
Marx Brothers that were born in New York and
went into show business together. I have won
many a beer in a bar by being able to name all
five Marx Brothers (the others being Harpo,
Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo). Actually there was
a sixth brother named Manfred that died in
infancy.
My favorite was always Harpo, the
woman-chasing, curly-haired silent brother always
wore a top hat and a overcoat. He was so talented
on the harp that he was asked to join the New York
City symphony, but turned it down to stay with his
brothers in the movie business. The episode of "I
Love Lucy" where she dressed up like Harpo and
did a bit with him in a fake mirror is still one of the
most popular of the Lucy series.
Groucho, Chico, and Harpo remained in the movie
business from 1913 until 1950. Zeppo and Gummo
only appeared in five of the twelve movies of the
Marx Brothers. Zeppo and Gummo went into the
talent agency business and did quite well on their
own. Recently the 'Screen Actors Guild' named the
top 100 movies of all time and five of the Marx Brothers
movies made the list (two of them were in the top 15).
Groucho took his talent to TV in the 1950's and 60's
and still had his trademark wisecracks. He died this
date in 1977. Mom and Dad Marx brought their family
to America from Germany in 1908 and all the sons
performed for the American troops in both World Wars.
Bob Hope called them great examples of the American
spirit.