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The Groucho Letters: Letters from and to Groucho Marx
by
Groucho Marx
In this volume Grouchophiles everywhere can enjoy the best of his trenchant correspondence with the greatest wits and minds of his day, such as E.B. White, James Thurber, S.J. Perelman, Fred Allen, Jerry Lewis, Peter Lorre, Howard Hughes, Irving Berlin, Harry Truman and of course, Chico, Harpo, and Gummo. Here also, giving as good as they get, are some of their responses.
Paperback, 319 pages
Published
August 14th 2007
by Simon & Schuster
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This classic collection of Groucho Marx's correspondence, which was donated to the Library of Congress, at their request, gives the best glimpse into who Groucho Marx was. Not only do we see his letters to his family and friends, who included some of the century's most famous people, but we get to see what people wrote in return. Groucho's personality and wit shine through, and these letters are a rare treasure.
With little formal education, Groucho could construct a letter better than most...more
With little formal education, Groucho could construct a letter better than most...more
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In 1946, lawyers for Warner Brothers shot off warning letters to the producers of the in-production Marx Brothers opus, A Night in Casablanca, threatening the makers with legal action if they used the name "Casablanca" in the film's title.
Much to the chagrin of the lawyers and Warner's head, Jack Warner, Groucho Marx got wind of this inherently absurd threat. Needless to say, they had met their match.
What followed was a flurry of devastatingly funny, insulting ...more
Much to the chagrin of the lawyers and Warner's head, Jack Warner, Groucho Marx got wind of this inherently absurd threat. Needless to say, they had met their match.
What followed was a flurry of devastatingly funny, insulting ...more
When I started this book I wasn't sure I was going to read the whole thing but his letters are like popcorn once you start you can't stop. Funny, intelligent and sensitive. He corresponded with S.J. Perelman, Fred Allen, James Thurber and E.B. White. Among many others. There was a short correspondence with T.S. Eliot who he visited in England about a year before the poet's death. Groucho also wrote a letter to the chairman of Chrysler in the early 50s asking if there wasn't something that could ...more
I miss letters.
I heard about this book on the radio. Some professional reader being interviewed talked about how he uses this book as lighthearted buffer, to take a break from denser reading material.
I would have liked to use it similarly, but there was a waiting list at the library and I had to power through the last half of the book (someone expecting short delivery rather than the 15 cents a day motivated this rush). I preferred reading just a letter or two a night, ...more
I heard about this book on the radio. Some professional reader being interviewed talked about how he uses this book as lighthearted buffer, to take a break from denser reading material.
I would have liked to use it similarly, but there was a waiting list at the library and I had to power through the last half of the book (someone expecting short delivery rather than the 15 cents a day motivated this rush). I preferred reading just a letter or two a night, ...more
Danielle
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
folks who write letters to their friends not only to inform, but to entertain.
Recommended to Danielle by:
Jacqueline Treiber, Dave Gunn
This lucky duck just received THE GROUCHO LETTERS in the mail from her valentine and I tell you what, it's probably a good thing that Groucho has already kicked the bucket or I might mailing paper hearts to another man right now. The words of Groucho Marx to his friends, associates, and children are some of the most charming I've ever read, and in less than an hour I've already read the first 100 pages of the book.
In fact, I was already on the floor laughing within the first 5 sente...more
In fact, I was already on the floor laughing within the first 5 sente...more
The more books I read about the Marx Brothers, the more I like them! Groucho comes off as intelligent, warm, and clever in this collection of letters - there are very few people whose letters I would enjoy reading, and I enjoyed this book. I also liked reading the letters To Groucho - fun to see how many influential, important people were so excited to get a letter from Groucho. I wish I could understand a little bit more of the cultural references, but that's a disadvantage growing up in a d...more
Joyce Hansen
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
actors,
art,
autobiography,
biography,
bombay,
cinema,
movies,
comedy,
compilation,
correspondance,
entertainment,
epistolary,
essays,
film,
hollywood,
humor,
letters,
memoir,
non-fiction,
show-bizness,
celebrity,
television,
theater,
usa,
vaudeville
Loved it!!! Donated to the Library of Congress in the mid-1960s, Groucho Marx's correspondence was first crafted into this celebration of wit and wisdom in 1967. Reissued today with his original letters and humor intact,The Groucho Lettersexposes one of the twentieth century's most beloved comedian's private insights into show biz, politics, business, and, of course, his illustrious personal life. Included are Marx's conversations with such noted personalities as E. B. White, Fred Allen, Goodma...more
Insight into the personal life of Groucho. His sense of humor and the dynamic that was his genius is revealed on a different level than that which was portrayed in his film and TV career. This collection includes correspondence with his brothers as well as his contemporaries. Many, many memorable quotes to and from Groucho.
This is a hilarious and entertaining collection, and I only wish that I could write letters like Groucho. My one complaint was the fact that the was it was organized- by topic- was a little bit odd, and I think I would have either preferred it exclusively by recipient/writer pairing or by chronology.
This is just a book of letters. Not all of them are funny (most of them aren't). I didn't know who most of the people he was writing to, which might have made it better reading. The book is oddly organized with the letters divided into categories that are not clearly defined.
Really enjoyable collection of letters to and from. He was actually as funny or funnier in real life. Great turns of phrase and way too much to commonplace. Really enjoyed his tone throughout. Caveat Emptor: a few off-color remarks.
I enjoyed this book. It really showcases the extent of Marx's comic genius. It makes me wonder if he was ever serious during his life. Most of the letters were to and from people that I hadn't heard of before, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
After his death, Groucho Marx writings, including a ton of letters, were donating to the Library of Congress. The best of the bunch are gathered here and give us a fascinating peek at Groucho and his life and times.
Neat bits of history and Groucho's POV on them and fun to see the various famous names that he became pen pals with.
Great book.
Neat bits of history and Groucho's POV on them and fun to see the various famous names that he became pen pals with.
Great book.
A funny and quick way to learn more about Groucho, and laugh with his hilarious, witty letters. I did not read this cover to cover, skimmed a bit and skipped around reading letters. A very amusing book.
This is probably only of interest if you love the humor of Groucho. Otherwise you might be pretty lost. The letters covered are pretty interesting but is lacks any letters between the brothers.
Funny letters from a funny man. We learn how smart he was, how well read, how much he cared about his children. I wish the editor had provided more notes on who some of the people were. The letters from Fred Allen are choice because he was his equal. Groucho encouraged Allen to write books, which Allen did. Thank you, Groucho.
For those who aren't already aware - Groucho is not the most morally upstanding man of his time and this book has its share of his bawdy jokes and references. But it is also chock full of his sharp wit and I laughed my way through a large percentage of this book. The chapter "Grouchy" is easily the most entertaining.
I grew up watching Groucho Marx movies and TV. His letters are zany and off the wall. That is why I like them.
This book was amazing. It was more than amazing. They haven't invented a word yet for what this book is. I can tell you that it kept me highly entertained while waiting at my desk for customers to call. In fact, I would rather read this book then talk to those customers. I am disconnecting my phone and starting all over again.
Clever as hell. Has inspired me to be a more consistent letter writer. Great read to break up 'heavier' reads.
I got a cool 1970s edition of this for Ivy's Easter basket. Yet another dead Jewish comedian I have a crush on-let's hope this one survives!
Groucho Marx was a very funny man who wrote amusing letters to his friends and others. Some of these were collected in this book, published in 1965. At times, reading this book was like reading the script from a Marx Brothers movie. Included in this book is a touching exchange of letters between Groucho and T.S. Eliot, who finally met in England shortly before Eliot passed away. One very interesting letter was a note from Groucho congratulating his friend Arthur Murray (of dancing fame) on t...more
A really fun read, especially interesting are the letters to and from E. B. White.
For fans of Groucho Marx, this collection of correspondence between the great man and friends, colleagues and associates will be a good read with a few real belly laughs.
So good that if my handwriting were legible I'd be inspired to take up letter writing.
This is great for reading small bits, especially at bedtime
the funniest collection of letters you will ever read!!
Excellent, if rambling at times.
"Women should be obscene and not heard"
I LOVE GROUCHO MARX!! these letters are histerical
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Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx, was an American comedian and film star. He is famed as a master of wit. He made 15 feature films with his siblings, the Marx Brothers, and also had a successful solo career, most notably as the host of the radio and television game show, You Bet Your Life. He had a distinctive image, which included a heavy greasepaint moustache and eyebrows and glasses.
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“I read in the newspapers they are going to have 30 minutes of intellectual stuff on television every Monday from 7:30 to 8. to educate America. They couldn't educate America if they started at 6:30.”
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“The only real laughter comes from despair.”
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