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bkish's review against another edition
2.0
It is interesting and yet it has one theme like a one joke replayed. it is about Groucho's nihilism and misogyny and self deprecation as reflected in his humor. It is about his background and somewhat about his 4 brothers. Yet this is Groucho Marx's book or Jules was his name. Groucho as in grouch and Harpo as in plays the harp and Chico as in lots of ladies and Zeppo I dont know and Gummo as in somber. Altho they made many movies and had some Broadway theater it was only their first 7 - 10 that were very successful.
I want to think more about Lee Siegel's theories about Groucho and then finish this review.
I want to think more about Lee Siegel's theories about Groucho and then finish this review.
psteve's review against another edition
3.0
Though there's lots of good stuff in this short book, by the time I was 2/3 of the way through I was tired of it. The attempt is to associate the Marx Brothers humor (especially Groucho's) with their life stories and situations, and at that it at least partly succeeds.
The Marx Brothers didn't just lampoon the pompous and self-righteous, but also targeted those who were on the lower rungs -- such as the peanut vendor in Duck Soup. And of course they weren't very nice guys in the movie, often times quite mean. Siegel discusses how their attitudes came from their upbringing. Bitter Julius (Groucho) because he couldn't go to medical school. Chico always broke and chasing women, etc. They hated their father because he was weak (he tells a good Harpo anecdote about this).
This is all good, and good analysis, but even though the book is very short, by the end you feel as if he's beating a dead horse. I got really tired of the rehashes of the supposed bitterness behind Groucho's line about not wanting to join any club that would have him as a member; it feels to me as though Siegel misses the point somehow.
Not a bad book, necessarily, just one that maybe takes itself too seriously.
The Marx Brothers didn't just lampoon the pompous and self-righteous, but also targeted those who were on the lower rungs -- such as the peanut vendor in Duck Soup. And of course they weren't very nice guys in the movie, often times quite mean. Siegel discusses how their attitudes came from their upbringing. Bitter Julius (Groucho) because he couldn't go to medical school. Chico always broke and chasing women, etc. They hated their father because he was weak (he tells a good Harpo anecdote about this).
This is all good, and good analysis, but even though the book is very short, by the end you feel as if he's beating a dead horse. I got really tired of the rehashes of the supposed bitterness behind Groucho's line about not wanting to join any club that would have him as a member; it feels to me as though Siegel misses the point somehow.
Not a bad book, necessarily, just one that maybe takes itself too seriously.
kat2112's review
3.0
ARC received from NetGalley.
This book is actually part biography and part criticism of the Groucho character in film. The title is bit of a misnomer as well, since the authors touches also on the lives of the others brothers, in particular Chico and Harpo, perpetuating the theory you can't tell one Marx Brother story without involving the rest. I wanted to read this book because I'm reading up on the era, and opinions vary on the quality of other bios.
Siegel spends a lot of time dissecting Groucho's humor, touching on the moments of cruelty and misogyny apparently passing as rebellion in their earlier movies. While reading this book I got the impression I supposed to have more pity for the brothers than admire their talent. It's difficult for me to explain, but I can say after reading this book I might look at their movies differently.
If you're looking more for a criticism than a straight-out bio, be warned this is more academic than entertainment.
This book is actually part biography and part criticism of the Groucho character in film. The title is bit of a misnomer as well, since the authors touches also on the lives of the others brothers, in particular Chico and Harpo, perpetuating the theory you can't tell one Marx Brother story without involving the rest. I wanted to read this book because I'm reading up on the era, and opinions vary on the quality of other bios.
Siegel spends a lot of time dissecting Groucho's humor, touching on the moments of cruelty and misogyny apparently passing as rebellion in their earlier movies. While reading this book I got the impression I supposed to have more pity for the brothers than admire their talent. It's difficult for me to explain, but I can say after reading this book I might look at their movies differently.
If you're looking more for a criticism than a straight-out bio, be warned this is more academic than entertainment.
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