The Marx Brothers as Social Critics

Satire and Comic Nihilism in Their Films

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by Martin A. Gardner

Type

Studies

Subject

Actor > Marx Brothers

Keywords

Marx Brothers, comedy, social aspects

Publishing date

2009

Publisher

McFarland & Co

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 218 pages
6 x 9 inches (15 x 23 cm)

ISBN

978-0-7864-3942-3

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Book Presentation:
The Marx Brothers’ films are packed with slapstick and obvious jokes, gags, puns, pratfalls, and mimicry. But beneath the laughs is a serious and biting condemnation of American culture. This book examines historical events, political practices, economic conditions, manners and customs, literary subjects, and popular entertainment as satirized in the films and considers the ways in which the films were relevant in their era and remain so today.

About the Author:
Martin A. Gardner has worked in advertising and as a writer for The Village Voice, House Beautiful, and Art Business News, among other periodicals. He lives in New York.

Press Reviews:
"still very much a loving tribute to the joy and insanity of The Marx Brothers…always a good sign when a book about movies sends you back to watch them again"—Scarlet
"meticulous scholarship and close analysis"—American Studies
"Martin A. Gardner’s new The Marx Brothers as Social Critics book provides new insights and his attention to period detail is a pop culture bonus."—Wes Gehring, film professor at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

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