The One, THE ONLY, Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx was born Julius Henry Marx in 1890. Along with brothers Chico, Harpo, Zeppo and Gummo, he would find great success performing in Vaudeville and on Broadway. The group’s popularity on stage would cause Hollywood to beckon, and the brothers (without Gummo and with and without Zeppo) would become major stars of feature films in the 1930s and 1940s.
As the brother’s movie career was winding down, Groucho Marx displayed his unmatched comedic wit in the late 1940s on radio. His quick and hilarious adlibs made sponsors think he was worthy of his own radio show. That was the birth of NBC’s “You Bet Your Life,” a combination of interview and quiz show that gave Marx the perfect showcase to display his unique talents.
The show would segway to television, where the program’s popularity continued to grow. Broadcast from 1950 to 1961, the show gave Marx an even higher level of celebrity as a solo act.
Samples of the timeless wit of Groucho Marx:
"I never forget a face, but in your case, I'll be glad to make an exception."
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made."
“I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat animals who are.”
“I intend to live forever, or die trying.”
“When you're in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, 'Damn, that was fun.'”
“While money can't buy happiness, it certainly lets you choose your own form of misery.”
Grouch Marx was in an office building elevator going down. The elevator stops on a floor; the door opens and in walks a Catholic priest. The priest recognizes Groucho and says, “Oh Mr. Marx, I want to thank you for all the pleasure you have given my life.” To which Groucho replied, “And I’d like to thank you Father, for taking away all the pleasure in my life.”
During the long run of You Bet Your Life, Grouch Marx would endorse a host of products that would include Desoto/Plymouth automobiles, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Skippy Peanut Butter, Old Gold cigarettes, Blatz, G.E. Lightbulbs, the Edison Voicewriter, Personna Razor Blades and colorful, unique cocktail napkins.
After his death on August 19, 1977 at the age of 86, his children found a letter written by their father stating he wanted to be buried on top of Marilyn Monroe.
These Groucho Marx cocktail napkins were manufactured in 1954 by the Monogram Company, of San Francisco, California. The artwork was done by Don Whearty. The text captures the essence of Groucho Marx’s persona and his unique stature within the world of comedy. Enjoy!
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