The Unknown Marx Brothers (1993) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

David Leaf

Writers:

David Leaf (writer)
John Scheinfeld (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Documentary

Plot:

A tribute to the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers utilizing rare archival footage and personal interviews.

Plot Keywords:

Marx Brothers | Archival Footage | Interview | Slapstick | Making Of

Cast

Leslie Nielsen	...	Narrator (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steve Allen	...	Himself
Jack Benny	...	(archive footage)
Milton Berle	...	(archive footage)
Irving Brecher	...	Himself (as Irv Brecher)
Bill Cosby	...	(archive footage)
Margaret Dumont	...	(archive footage)
George Fenneman	...	Himself
Spike Jones	...	(archive footage)
Bill Marx	...	Himself
Chico Marx	...	(archive footage)
Groucho Marx	...	(archive footage)
Harpo Marx	...	(archive footage)
Miriam Marx	...	Herself
Zeppo Marx	...	(archive footage)
George Schlatter	...	Himself

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Crew Neck Productions

Movie Connections:

Features A Night at the Opera (1935)

Unspectacular But Solid

Interesting documentary about the Marx Bros. The first half focuses on their early career and their movie heydays. It doesn't have any great revelations to make, but it's fun and insightful. The second half's of more interest to fans, covering their later years and TV lives. Some priceless footage of Groucho on "You Bet Your Life" and clips of Harpo and Chico in some of their post-movie ventures. Works well as either a nice introduction to their work, or as a nostalgia piece for already confirmed fans.