VOICE ONE:
The three Marx Brothers -- Groucho, Chico and Harpo -- made fourteen movies together. The movies made fun of officials in many areas of society, like colleges, hospitals, or the government. The Marx Brothers made most of their movies during the nineteen-thirties. This was during the great economic Depression. Many Americans had no jobs and not much hope. Many people went to the movies to try to forget their troubles. The Marx Brothers thought people might like to see funny things happen to rich and important people.
VOICE TWO:
The Marx Brothers’ first two movies were “The Cocoanuts” and “Animal Crackers.” These were based on earlier shows that they starred in on Broadway in New York City. Some of their most famous movies are “Horse Feathers,” “Duck Soup,” and “A Night at the Opera.”
In “Horse Feathers,” the Marx Brothers make fun of colleges. Groucho is a professor and the president of Huxley College. He wants to improve the college by having a successful football team. Here, he talks to other college officials.
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((GROUCHO: Now I say to you gentlemen that this college is a failure. The trouble is, we’re neglecting football for education.
COLLEGE OFFICIALS: Exactly, the professor is right.
GROUCHO: Oh, I’m right, am I? Well, I’m not right. I’m wrong. I just said that to test you. Now I know where I’m at. I’m dealing with a couple of snakes. What I meant to say was that there is too much football and not enough education.
COLLEGE OFFICIALS: That’s what I think.
GROUCHO: Oh you do, do you? Well, you’re wrong again. If there was a snake here, I’d apologize. Where would this college be without football? Have we got a stadium?
COLLEGE OFFICIALS: Yes.
GROUCHO: Have we got a college?
COLLEGE OFFICIALS: Yes.
GROUCHO: Well, we can’t support both. Tomorrow we start tearing down the college.
COLLEGE OFFICIALS: But, professor, where will the students sleep?
GROUCHO: Where they always sleep – in the classroom!))
VOICE ONE:
Some critics say “Duck Soup,” is one of the greatest comedies ever made. Groucho is the leader of a country called Freedonia. He declares war on a nearby country. The movie makes fun of war, diplomats and dictators.
Other critics say “A Night at the Opera,” is their finest film. Groucho tries to get a rich woman to invest in an opera company. The movie has many funny parts. One of the most famous is when fifteen people are crowded into a very small room on a passenger ship.
VOICE TWO:
Experts say the Marx Brothers movies were extremely popular for several reasons. The brothers had been performing together since they were children. They shared a sense of what was funny.
In addition, they all loved music. Most of their movies include music. When a song begins in their movies, everything else stops. When Harpo plays his harp, his face shows how much he loves what he is playing. Then, when the music is over, the Marx Brothers immediately start being funny again.
The Marx Brothers’ movies were like vaudeville shows. They contained something for everyone. There was comedy, speeches, music and songs. Often Groucho sang a funny song. Here is an example, called “Hello, I Must be Going.”
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VOICE ONE:
The Marx Brothers performed together and then separately for more than seventy years until the last one died in the late Nineteen-Seventies. Their comedy influenced many other present day comedians including Woody Allen and Robin Williams. Critics have called the Marx Brothers the most influential comedy team of the twentieth century.
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VOICE TWO:
This Special English program was written by Shelley Gollust. It was produced by Caty Weaver. I’m Steve Ember.
VOICE ONE:
And I’m Mary Tillotson. Join us again next week for another PEOPLE IN AMERICA program on the Voice of America.
