THE MARX BROTHERS – AMERICA’S FIRST FAMILY OF LUNACY

In this presentation, film and comedy historian Lawrence Wolff will discuss the origins of Groucho and his brothers, who were born of immigrant parents, but amazingly rose to fame.  On their way to the top, they had to first overcome poverty in New York City, deal with religious prejudice, endure grueling vaudeville tours, and then achieve Broadway fame, as well as stardom on radio, film, and television. The brothers’ personal lives will be addressed as we learn how they changed the face of comedy forever. But as funny as they are on screen, they were even wilder in real life. Groucho is still quoted and imitated today.  And yes, Zeppo is included, as are select film and television highlights. The brothers, in short, jelled like no other act in history to create the mayhem and belly laughs we still enjoy today.