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Monday, August 19, 2013

RARE MARX BROS. FOOTAGE

Here are two short, rarely seen film clips featuring the Marx Brothers. The first clip is a promo film Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo did in support of their movie "Monkey Business". The other clip features Groucho and Carole Landis entertaining some marines during WWII.


DOUBLE CLICK TO ZOOM TO FULL SCREEN
It is interesting to note that during this time period, radio was still king, and the performers at the time had to work on two levels:  Entertain the audience in front of them, and entertain the audience at home.  Very few comedians alive today could pull this off.

Conan O'Brien incorporated a homage the first Marx Bros. clip above in "The Simpsons" famous Monorail song.

Monorail by The Simpsons
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth 
Like a genuine, 
Bona fide, 
Electrified, 
Six-car 
Monorail! 
What'd I say? 
Ned Flanders: Monorail! 
Lyle Lanley: What's it called? 
Patty+Selma: Monorail! 
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail! 
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically] 
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud... 
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud. 
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend? 
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend. 
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs? 
Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs. 
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil? 
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level. 
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can. 
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man. 
I swear it's Springfield's only choice... 
Throw up your hands and raise your voice! 
All: Monorail! 
Lyle Lanley: What's it called? 
All: Monorail! 
Lyle Lanley: Once again... 
All: Monorail! 
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken... 
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken! 
All: Monorail! 
Monorail! 
Monorail! 
[big finish] 
Monorail! 
Homer: Mono... D'oh!

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