The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Glenn Mitchell (Author), Leonard Maltin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Glenn Mitchell’s masterly, delightfully browsable A–to–Z of comedy’s most famous family—now thoroughly revised, expanded, and updated—surveys the entire history of their work for cinema, stage, radio, and television. Featuring hundreds of entries and photos, new facts and essential trivia, entertaining stories and anecdotes, a full filmography, and a new Foreword by film critic and historian Leonard Maltin.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Comedian and dramatist Mitchell (The Laurel and Hardy Encyclopedia) shares everything you ever wanted to know about comedy's most famous family, from their abandoned projects (including their first, silent film, Humorisk) to how Groucho satisfied his longstanding wish to have a radio show (it was with You Bet Your Life) to how the brothers dealt with potential competitors, such as Buster Keaton. Organizing the wealth of information in alphabetical entries, Mitchell covers the Marx brothers' films, actors they worked with, techniques and studio interactions. He's also included loads of movie posters and photos showing the brothers yukking it up. The format, though comprehensive and useful for looking up specific queries (e.g., when and where did the bulk of the filming of Duck Soup take place?), might intimidate casual browsers; the book is best suited for true Marx brothers enthusiasts who want to hone their trivia knowledge. 240 b&w photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“An excellent, accessible reference… Highly recommended.” -- Choice

“Comedian and dramatist Mitchell shares everything you ever wanted to know about comedy's most famous family…” -- Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Reynolds & Hearn; Rev Exp Su edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903111498
• ISBN-13: 978-1903111499
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,454,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything but the kitchen sink is included in this book...., February 22, 2005

By 

devotedmarxist (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Actually, I think I saw the sink somewhere in the book too! ;)

It's everything you could possibly want to know about the Marxes. I like the A to Z format, it's very easy to navigate your way through the book. I use it all the time for reference. A well-researched, well-written book. Get this one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on The Marx Brothers I've Ever Seen, January 26, 2006

By 

John Profetto (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This is the most detailed book on the Marx Brothers I've ever seen.I highly recommend it.Every single movie they ever made,together and alone,is so fully detailed.Plus every actor and actress the brothers ever worked with(including the legendary Margeret Dumont of course)is also fully reviewed.

This book is a must for any Marx fan!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars While we wait for the dvd's...Bob, March 3, 2004

By 

Natale Associates, Ltd "DUBLU" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Wonderful book full of trivia for even the most expert Marx fanatic. Revised edition is well worth the investment for info such as the butchering of "Night at the Opera"...which is the film with the stateroom scene asked about previously.