The Marx Brothers as Social Critics: Satire and Comic Nihilism in Their Films [Paperback]

Martin A. Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0786439424 | ISBN-13: 978-0786439423

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.

Editorial Reviews

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 Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (August 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786439424
• ISBN-13: 978-0786439423
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,252,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History Lesson Of The Marx Brothers Times, November 12, 2009

By 

Brian D. Rodgers (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Marx Brothers as Social Critics: Satire and Comic Nihilism in Their Films (Paperback)

I was not real sure about this book when I first saw it. It was excactly what I was hoping for. In the Marx Brothers movies there are scenes and jokes that are not meaningful to this generation (or even a couple before.) The book tells of the times of what was going on in culture of America, things like the Depression and Society. I see it as an informative book helping someone that was not alive in the twenty years the brothers made the films get some inside information. This helps the films become more complete. I learned some things from the book and enjoyed a lot. Thanks for some of the greatest comedy ever Chico, Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo and Gummo.