The Annotated Marx Brothers

A Filmgoer's Guide to In-Jokes, Obscure References and Sly Details

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by Matthew Coniam

Type

Encyclopedias

Subject

Actor > Marx Brothers

Keywords

Marx Brothers, dialogues, humor

Publishing date

2015

Publisher

McFarland & Co

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 316 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN

978-0-7864-9705-8

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Book Presentation:
Have you ever watched a Marx Brothers film and wondered what “habeas Irish rose” is? What is the trial of Mary Dugan with sound? What is a college widow? When exactly did Don Ameche invent the telephone? Their films are full of such in-jokes and obscure theatrical, literary and topical references that can baffle modern audiences. In this viewer’s guide to the Marx Brothers you will find the answer to such mysteries, along with an exhaustive compilation of background information, obscure trivia and even the occasional busted myth. Each of the Marx Brothers’ 13 films is covered by a running commentary, with points in the film discussed as they appear. Each reference is listed by its running time, with time code given for both PAL and NTSC DVD. An introduction for neophytes and a resource for fanatics, this book is a travel guide to the rambling landscape of these remarkable comedies.

About the Author:
Matthew Coniam has contributed to numerous books, magazines, journals and websites in Britain and America. He lives in Bath, England.

Press Reviews:
"Coniam has done a remarkable service for viewers of Marx Brothers films with this collection of answers to comedy ponderables…highly recommended"—Choice
"it’s gold to a real Marx Brothers fan"—Communication Booknotes Quarterly
"very interesting, entertaining, and enlightening…impressive…the quintessential look at the comedy team’s films…indispensible"—Examiner
"it might have been thought that there was nothing new to add to the legions of books on the Marx brothers, and then along comes this worthy and funny book…invaluable for the modern audience for the Marx Brothers…highly recommended"—Destructive Music
"an invaluable guide to some of the most surrealistic comedies ever produced in Hollywood"—Crime Time
"I’ve been hoping that someone would write a book like this. Now, when somebody doesn’t get Groucho’s joke about the Irish chiropodist in Animal Crackers. I don’t have to explain it. I can just point to this book!"—Randy Skretvedt, author of Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

See the complete filmography of Marx Brothers on the website: IMDB ...