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Rating:  -
For longtime fans this is absolutely essential, especially for those of us who enjoy researching those missing pieces of the puzzle - the "unknown" stuff. There are many segments here which will leave the most determined sleuth slack-jawed. We've read about many of these late career MB TV appearances and we are treated to lengthy excerpts - so many documentaries offer "slide show" bits and pieces.
I was unaware of most of these kinescopes and am delighted to be able to view even a few seconds of them. The Groucho guest shot on The Jack Benny Show is in very good quality; the writing and performance is excellent. Both comedy legends get to do their thing in a classy setting. A long clip features Milton Berle and Harpo and similarly we get two for the price of one. Harpo is so good soloing and clowning in front of Uncle Miltie's orchestra, that Mr. Television himself has a hard time not laughing during the piece.
I was fascinated to learn more about Groucho's struggle to keep a radio show in the '30s/'40s; and the origins and development of "You Bet Your Life". And to have George Fenneman on hand to reminisce is a great plus.
As an Amazon reviewer points out, the documentary would have benefitted by including more of Zeppo and Gummo, and by offering criticism of the movies. They made many movies but unfortunately perhaps only four can be considered classics. Considering the level of talent on this team, it's really astonishing that Hollywood seemed to make a conscious decision at one point force them to work with second-rate material and directors not really suited to them.
This offer is not as sophisticated as "In A Nutshell", in fact, Leslie Nielson's narration is curiously low-key, but this quiet, respectful program has enduring qualities. The children of Groucho, Chico, and Harpo, speak warmly of their parents. It's a nice touch that Harpo's son wrote original music for this package.
Rating:  -
One expects the DVD version of a documentary to be complete. This is not.
The package states that the running time is approximately 2:06, which is the length of the original program. This DVD runs for only 1:26, meaning that almost exactly one-third of the material was omitted! It's a shame, because in its full version this is a wonderful documentary on the brothers Marx. (I would be giving it 5 stars if it were complete.)
One other cautionary note: this is not the PBS documentary on the Marxes cited in other reviews (that one is "The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell" and is well worth purchasing). This program originally aired (in two parts) on The Disney Channel.
Rating: -
...then this DVD is a great place to start! I recently rented this DVD through Netflix to see if it would be worth my money. Of course being a HUGE Marx Brothers fan I would buy about anything about them...and have. This particular DVD is one I do plan to add to my collection. It gives an entertaining and fairly thorough look at the early years and history of their rise to fame. The early stuff is EXCELLENT but the later stuff, such as the never-aired sitcom the boys filmed in 1959 is kind of sad...when you see the once quick and spry Chico having trouble with his lines and being rather stooped. You do get however touching remarks with his only daughter, Maxine and a rare glimpse of Groucho's daughter, Miriam. And you get to hear Groucho sing a bit of "Peasie Weasie". I had always wondered how that song went. It is a great DVD for the money and great for anyone wanting to get a taste of these comic geniuses. For a REALLY indepth and objective look at the boys you simply must read MONKEY BUSINESS by Simon Louvish and for an inside take...HARPO SPEAKS by Harpo and a more literate friend. LONG LIVE THE MARX BROTHERS!!!
Rating: -
I love The Marx Brothers, so it's hard for me to not give this 5 stars. Between the rare clips, the interviews, etc - I think it's a very good documentary.
Sure, like others have said here, there are some things which should have been included here that weren't. However, that's almost always the case with documentaries about entertainers.
What I like most about this production is that it was obviously made with a lot of love and respect for the brothers.
If you're a Marx Brothers fan, chances are very good that you'll enjoy this.
Rating: -
Well, I bought this DVD to replace the VHS version I own. Imagine my surprise when I find out the DVD is a completely re-
edited version of the tape! So now both versions have material exclusive of each other as well as repeating segments. Talk about a lame duck! It's like having a mother-in-law move in- you can't get rid of her. So I need to make room for both! The tape version has some great Marx Bros cartoon characters, the movie trailers, and even different clips from material shown on the DVD. Once again, the idiots at Winstar screw up (see my comment on Bastard Out Of Carolina). What would I give to have them stand at the wrong end of a shooting gallery; I'd horsewhip them if I had a horse....
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