Comedian In Twilight: RAISED EYEBROWS

As you're reading this, I'm currently working a large convention of fans....and some would believe that I am "living the dream." But that does a great disservice...and for some, "living the dream" can be a mixed blessing.

Steve Stoliar was one such person - growing up as a Marx Brothers fan, he jumped at the chance to live and work with Groucho Marx in his later years. It forms the backbone of his recently reissued memoir Raised Eyebrows - My Years Inside Groucho's House (Expanded Edition), and also makes for some great, compelling reading.

If you're looking for sordid details and/or a hatched job....look elsewhere. This isn't the book for you. In fact, Stoliar does an exceptional job in providing a balanced  yet realistic look at life with Groucho in Raised Eyebrows. Stoliar came at a time when Groucho was embroiled in both a controversial relationship (with Erin Fleming) as well as a comeback (the Marx Brothers' "revival" in the 1970s). This could have made for an explosive, spare-no-details expose that would not be out-of-place in our TMZ-and-gossip-driven media culture.

But Stoliar doesn't do that - in fact, Stoliar makes great efforts to provide balance in Raised Eyebrows.  Consistently taking the high ground, Stoliar frequently sites that he may not have known all the details in a given situation, and more importantly, rarely descends to innuendo and character slamming. (Towards the end, Stoliar even relates details about some issues various individuals took with his memoir).

It's the kind of book rarely seen - an honest, open look at someone meeting the focus of their fandom....and seeing them as a human being. And that's the best reason to read Raised Eyebrows.

That, and Stoliar's story about Zeppo Marx as a romantic rival.

Highly recommended.

Happy Birthday, Groucho Marx!

Kind of a rough day professionally, but thankfully, today means one thing: time to celebrate with comedy!

Help A Comic Get Published

As everyone knows, I've been expanding my writing parameters and have been working on a short, seven page story for the collected Zone 4 webcomic, to be published (hopefully) in the late summer/early fall. However, given that several of my pals are very highly connected, I'm hoping that I can receive some guidance and insight from you, the readers of this fine blog.

I need to put together an art team for this story, which is kind of like Firefly as written and performed by the Marx Brothers.This would be a full-color comic which would be available for purchase online (and could be purchased at cost by participants for signings, portfolio, etc).

Bad news - this is not a paid gig. The only concrete rewards I can offer is that this book will be made available via IndyPlanet. However, I believe in paying it forward, and would love to see what I can put together. (I've submitted a post via Digital Webbing, and have gotten some nibbles, but nothing major).

So what am I looking for? Here goes:

• Penciller/Artist - someone who can draw in a cartoon/slightly anime style (this is a comedy - with some science fiction and Western elements. Let that be your guide). I can provide samples of character design to make it easier.
• Inker - someone with a deft touch who can bring out the best in any artist
• Letterer - my Zone 4 cohort Brant Fowler will be handling the lettering. He does really good work.
• Colorist - yes, this is going to be a full color book, but I would love to work with someone who can bring nuance to colors, and has a strong vibrant approach

So if you can, I'm asking if you know anyone who can perform any of the above tasks, who has talent and is looking for an opportunity for exposure and publication, please have them drop me a line. The only thing I will promise is to give them a fair shake. (Trust me, this script is a pretty fun piece of work. You'll laugh out loud.)

Thanks, and looking forward to all your assistance.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Groucho Marx!

(Yes, too much Doctor Who-related news this week, but didn't want to miss Sunday's milestone,  so I'm posting this today because you can never have too much Marx Brothers)

Just To Be Different

The Marx Brothers
Originally uploaded by twm1340

Rather than engage in either the "oh-what-we-lost-today" sentiment...or even Tea-Bagger-esque false patriotism...a little something special.

First, came across this Harpo Marx web site quite by accident. This is well worth your time.

Also, found a great new book, along with a great old one.

We need a laugh. Now, more than ever.

What If Groucho Marx Were A Social Media Pundit (Special Edition)

(A brief note of explanation -this was originally presented as part of a now defunct work-related blog; because I am rather proud of this, I'm representing it here, with some jokes taken out and some added. Please feel free to tweet/bookmark/e-mail this site. Enjoy!)

Linked In is like your grandpa's social media, but who wants to use your grandpa's social media. Nobody. Not even your grandma.

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Welcome to MySpace, where the beer is warm, the women are cold, and I'm hot under the collar.

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Go, and never darken my YouTube channel again.

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I never forget a Facebook profile, but in your case I'll make an exception.

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From the moment I saw your blog until I closed my browser, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading your blog.

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Gentlemen, Chicolini may look like a retweeter, and sound like a reTweeter, but don't let that fool you. He really is a "ReTweeter"

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I don't have a Flickr account, but you can have my footprints. They're upstairs in my socks

Revisiting My Marxist Past: ANIMAL CRACKERS at the Goodman Theater

(Revised May 28, 2023)

I think it is safe to state that, for the record, I have a very strong Marxist streak in my past - and present.

So much so that when I heard that Animal Crackers was coming to the Goodman Theater, I bought a ticket. Granted, it was a Sunday night ticket (and I managed to get second-row seating!) It was, without a doubt, a very rare occasion - a chance to time travel and see a play that had been put on before I was born. Or even before my parents were born.

I was not disappointed - this was one of the best experiences I have had in seeing live theater.

Part of it was a unique energy - not just amongst the actors playing the Marx Brothers, but all of the cast. Given that there are only nine people in the production - especially with the variety of roles - some of the quick changes were not only astounding but much like a great magic show, I was wondering how they did it. I was also surprised (and maybe this is due to a slight familiarity, having seen the movie multiple times) at how farcical the play was, poking fun at high society and....well, it's easy to see why it was popular during the Depression.

But anyway, what about the actors playing the Marx Brothers? Fine - it was hard for me to get the movie portrayals out of my head, but once I let those particular voices settle (voices in my head? did I just type that out loud?), it all clicked - Joey Slotnick's Groucho, Jonathan Brody's Chico, and Molly Shannon's Harpo (a female Harpo? Trust me, it works) helped give the show some expected jolts. But Ed Kross, who plays Zeppo - and another, more romantic lead - really deserves kudos. So much so that one can see why Zeppo left show business: the "Zeppo" character had maybe 30 minutes of total stage time.

(And in all fairness to the play, some other Marx material was integrated - it didn't seem like a Marx Brothers' greatest hits so much as a way to make a Depression-era play connect for younger viewers. It all hung together beautifully)

So this was one of my glad-I-did-before-I-got-too-old moments: a chance to see a play that resulted in one of my favorite movies. This is very well worth it, so I'm tempted to see it again.

Especially since I'm seriously crushing on one of the actresses.

See this. Now.

Your Obscure Pop Culture Reference-Within-A-Reference Moment of Zen