University of Virginia Library

RECORDS

Groucho Says Secret Word

By TERI TOWE

An Evening With Groucho.
Groucho Marx, Marvin
Hamlisch, Erin Fleming, and
Dick Cavett. A & M Records
SP 3515. At Back Alley Disc
$3.99.

My initial experiences with
the genius of Groucho Marx
took place when I was still a
toddler. My Scottish nana was
an avid fan of "You Bet Your
Life" – Groucho's wildly
successful and unbelievably
zany quiz show on NBC. I may
not have been old enough to
understand the double
entendres and risque remarks,
but even then I instinctively
stood in awe of Groucho's
extraordinary, impeccable
timing, his natural wit, and his
gentle acidity. "Say the secret
word..."

Tax Problems

As I grew older, I was
introduced to the classic Marx
Brothers pictures – A Night at
the Opera, A Day at the Races,
The Big Store, Duck Soup,
Monkey Business. At the
Circus, and all the others. Out
of fashion except among a
small group of devoted Marx
Brothers fans, these films
appeared on the weekday
morning and Saturday
afternoon movies on television
during the '50's. They saved
many a rainy weekend and
boring day sick in bed for me.

My admiration for Groucho
Marx has never waned, and, I
must admit, I come across his
influence in the strangest
places. Last summer, while
researching a complicated
corporate tax problem, I came
across the following citation in
one of the cases: Julia H.
("Groucho") Marx v. Comm,
29, T.C. 88

It seems as though Groucho
has had his squabble with the
I.R.S. (and who hasn't, at
some time or other?). I read
the case, which involved the
sale of "You Bet Your Life,"
with great interest;
unfortunately, the humorless
Tax Court opinion included no
Groucho witticisms.

All of this rambling is a very
cool introduction to a review
of what I consider one of the
finest recordings ever made.
Last year Groucho, at the age
of 81, made some "concert"
appearances – singing songs,
telling jokes, and, in general,
reminiscing about his long and
fruitful career. All of these
were recorded, and most of the
album is based on the concert
at Carnegie Hall in New York,
with a few additions from the
tapes of the other appearances.

Greatest Comic

Groucho sets the tone for
the recording from his opening
remarks. "First, let me take a
bow for Harpo and Chico."
He's not forgotten his two
immortal brothers, their
unique comic personalities, and
the role they played in the
success he's had. From that
springboard, the stories come
fast and furious – how the
Marx Family discovered toilet