Comments on: The Day My Grandfather Groucho and I Saved ‘You Bet Your Life’ http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Lydia L. Pineault http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1681177 Lydia L. Pineault Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1681177 What an absolutely charming story! Bravo to you Andy. And did you catch my name? It wouldn't be the 1st time I have had some one sing that line, Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia? Lydia The Tattooed Lady. What an absolutely charming story! Bravo to you Andy. And did you catch my name? It wouldn’t be the 1st time I have had some one sing that line, Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia?

Lydia The Tattooed Lady.

]]> By: Les Toil http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1680597 Les Toil Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1680597 This is one of the greatest stories EVER! Not that it would matter to anyone, but Groucho Marx is my all-time favorite human being in history--bar none.You answering that phone and being there to give your opinion to your grandfather was nothing less than a blessing from above. And what a surreal array of lunch guests! Nicholson, Gould--Marcel Marceau!!--with The Great One at the head of the table?? WOWWW! Thanks for sharing--and thanks for the heads-up on the Netflix news. So great! This is one of the greatest stories EVER! Not that it would matter to anyone, but Groucho Marx is my all-time favorite human being in history–bar none.You answering that phone and being there to give your opinion to your grandfather was nothing less than a blessing from above. And what a surreal array of lunch guests! Nicholson, Gould–Marcel Marceau!!–with The Great One at the head of the table?? WOWWW! Thanks for sharing–and thanks for the heads-up on the Netflix news. So great!

]]> By: Katie Huet http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1679865 Katie Huet Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1679865 Hi Andy, I'm Bob Dwan's youngest daughter. Raphael is his grandson. My dad died in 2005. There was a time we were trying to find out what to do with some old film rolls. Are you interested in more? Hi Andy, I’m Bob Dwan’s youngest daughter. Raphael is his grandson. My dad died in 2005. There was a time we were trying to find out what to do with some old film rolls. Are you interested in more?

]]> By: oldiesfan6479 http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1679634 oldiesfan6479 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1679634 16mm?  So what happened to the original 35mm prints that were aired by NBC during the "first run"? 16mm?  So what happened to the original 35mm prints that were aired by NBC during the “first run”?

]]> By: Gary Squires http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1679465 Gary Squires Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1679465 Andy thank you with all of the others for getting this work saved. I remember reading one of your grandfather's first books after running across it in the library, "Groucho and Me", in my teens and having never laughed so hard untill tears formed over some of the stories he told. I especially enjoyed the one about him and some of his "buddies" going camping. The imagery of some parts of the story were priceless and told in his typical oneliner style. Andy thank you with all of the others for getting this work saved. I remember reading one of your grandfather’s first books after running across it in the library, “Groucho and Me”, in my teens and having never laughed so hard untill tears formed over some of the stories he told. I especially enjoyed the one about him and some of his “buddies” going camping. The imagery of some parts of the story were priceless and told in his typical oneliner style.

]]> By: Fred McDonald http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1679427 Fred McDonald Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1679427 Considering the amusement I get from picturing Alice Cooper hanging out with Groucho, I'd say the name-dropping was quite welcomed! Considering the amusement I get from picturing Alice Cooper hanging out with Groucho, I’d say the name-dropping was quite welcomed!

]]> By: amarx http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1679020 amarx Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1679020 So you must be Bob Dwan's granddaughter -- that's cool.  Yes, I have seen his book -- very cool. So you must be Bob Dwan’s granddaughter — that’s cool.  Yes, I have seen his book — very cool.

]]> By: Abel Undercity http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678901 Abel Undercity Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678901 Mr. Marx, there is nothing else I can say to this but: Thank you. Mr. Marx, there is nothing else I can say to this but: Thank you.

]]> By: Rafael Dwan http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678828 Rafael Dwan Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678828 Andy, your Grandpa and mine worked together (it was very strange logging on to Netflix and seeing his name under "new additions")! Have you ever seen his book As Long as They're Laughing about directing Groucho in You Bet Your Life and a few stage runs? Andy, your Grandpa and mine worked together (it was very strange logging on to Netflix and seeing his name under “new additions”)! Have you ever seen his book As Long as They’re Laughing about directing Groucho in You Bet Your Life and a few stage runs?

]]> By: Rafael Dwan http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678826 Rafael Dwan Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678826 You could also read my Grandfather's book about directing the show (from Radio through Television) As Long as They're Laughing. http://www.amazon.com/As-Long-Theyre-Laughing-Groucho/dp/188766436X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363238246&sr=8-2&keywords=as+long++as+they%27re+laughing You could also read my Grandfather’s book about directing the show (from Radio through Television) As Long as They’re Laughing. http://www.amazon.com/As-Long-Theyre-Laughing-Groucho/dp/188766436X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363238246&sr=8-2&keywords=as+long++as+they%27re+laughing

]]> By: Mike Harmanos http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678796 Mike Harmanos Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678796 Thank you so much for saving and cataloging everything.  We are all funnier thanks to your foresight. Lots of kinescopes were destroyed to get the silver.  I lament that we lost a lot of great programs and sports broadcasts from the same period.  Thank you so much for saving and cataloging everything.  We are all funnier thanks to your foresight.

Lots of kinescopes were destroyed to get the silver.  I lament that we lost a lot of great programs and sports broadcasts from the same period. 

]]> By: WIlliam Colleton http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678654 WIlliam Colleton Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678654 Mr Marx, i'll never forget what a thrill it was back in the 70's when Universal the curators of paramount's early film library to have found "animal crackers"   and seeing it on the big screen with monkey business   now that I have my own screening room and 16mm prints of your grandfathers and uncles work  life is good   would love to hear any antidotes you may have of chico and harpo Billc Mr Marx,
i’ll never forget what a thrill it was back in the 70′s when Universal the curators of paramount’s early film library
to have found “animal crackers”   and seeing it on the big screen with monkey business   now that I have my own screening room and 16mm prints of your grandfathers and uncles work  life is good   would love to hear any antidotes you may have of chico and harpo

Billc

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678648 noah django Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678648  link pls?  link pls?

]]> By: OtherMichael http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678646 OtherMichael Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678646 @facebook-1588896122:disqus hey, yo! What are you doing here? Michael P ex-Scrantonian, you film-fiend. @facebook-1588896122:disqus hey, yo! What are you doing here? Michael P ex-Scrantonian, you film-fiend.

]]> By: Knox Bronson http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678540 Knox Bronson Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678540 Not apocryphal - I have seen the episode. He actually said "... I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while." Not apocryphal – I have seen the episode. He actually said “… I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while.”

]]> By: Brett Leveridge http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678542 Brett Leveridge Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678542 Only the first two movies -- The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers -- were originally plays. The rest were written as movies (though, beginning with A Night at the Opera, the brothers often went on tour to fine-tune certain scenes in front of live audiences before filming commenced). Only the first two movies — The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers — were originally plays. The rest were written as movies (though, beginning with A Night at the Opera, the brothers often went on tour to fine-tune certain scenes in front of live audiences before filming commenced).

]]> By: Ed http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678531 Ed Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678531 Makes you wonder what other classics got destroyed because there wasn't enough room for the film print in a warehouse somewhere. And to think that those 5 trucks of prints would fit on a couple hard disks now. Makes you wonder what other classics got destroyed because there wasn’t enough room for the film print in a warehouse somewhere. And to think that those 5 trucks of prints would fit on a couple hard disks now.

]]> By: Larold Rebhun http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678486 Larold Rebhun Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678486 I once had dinner at Richard Marx's home...I didn't make the connection until I went to the bathroom, and lining the halls were pictures of his Dad, Harpo. A true "DOH!" moment. I once had dinner at Richard Marx’s home…I didn’t make the connection until I went to the bathroom, and lining the halls were pictures of his Dad, Harpo. A true “DOH!” moment.

]]> By: Rich Volpe http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678421 Rich Volpe Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678421 Andy, I know all the Marx Bros. movies were originally stage plays.  I'm very involved with our local community theatre, and always wondered who holds the rights to those plays.  I think it would be a gas to stage one of their classics. Andy, I know all the Marx Bros. movies were originally stage plays.  I’m very involved with our local community theatre, and always wondered who holds the rights to those plays.  I think it would be a gas to stage one of their classics.

]]> By: James S. Craft http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678265 James S. Craft Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678265 Can you imagine someone saying after Leonardo da Vinci died "if no one wants this 'Mona Lisa' painting, we're going to get rid of it".  How many works of art, musical scores, and other forms of human expression have been lost because there was no one to take ownership of preserving them? I remember watching the reruns of "You Bet Your Life" when I was young, and how funny they were.  Great job Andy!!! Can you imagine someone saying after Leonardo da Vinci died “if no one wants this ‘Mona Lisa’ painting, we’re going to get rid of it”.  How many works of art, musical scores, and other forms of human expression have been lost because there was no one to take ownership of preserving them?
I remember watching the reruns of “You Bet Your Life” when I was young, and how funny they were.  Great job Andy!!!

]]> By: TWX http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678256 TWX Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678256 No, that's not what I'm saying.  I'm saying that it's unnecessary to tell us that Vince Fernier and Ronnie Wood had visited at other times.  It would have been fine to have said something like, "Lunch with Grandpa was usually interesting, with the stars and celebrities that would drop by, and this day was no exception..." then go in to those that were there... No, that’s not what I’m saying.  I’m saying that it’s unnecessary to tell us that Vince Fernier and Ronnie Wood had visited at other times.  It would have been fine to have said something like, “Lunch with Grandpa was usually interesting, with the stars and celebrities that would drop by, and this day was no exception…” then go in to those that were there…

]]> By: mattand http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678200 mattand Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678200 Strongly disagree about the name dropping. Not only is it a blast, it shows that Jack Nicholson in part helped save these shows. Strongly disagree about the name dropping. Not only is it a blast, it shows that Jack Nicholson in part helped save these shows.

]]> By: D Levy http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678195 D Levy Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678195 Great story!  The only thing that surprises me is that you bothered to ask Groucho first!  What answer was there BESIDES "send them to me!"???  [P.S., however it happened, I'm thrilled to pieces that it happened!  Huge fan here... even named my son after Groucho! (middle name:  Julius).  Thanks for sharing this enviable story, Andy!] Great story!  The only thing that surprises me is that you bothered to ask Groucho first!  What answer was there BESIDES “send them to me!”???  [P.S., however it happened, I'm thrilled to pieces that it happened!  Huge fan here... even named my son after Groucho! (middle name:  Julius).  Thanks for sharing this enviable story, Andy!]

]]> By: Fools Chaos http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1678035 Fools Chaos Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1678035 What an amazing story Andy! I loved Groucho and It's wonderful that thanks to your very farsighted efforts we have this show available to watch today :) I will be checking this out on netflix soon :) What an amazing story Andy! I loved Groucho and It’s wonderful that thanks to your very farsighted efforts we have this show available to watch today :) I will be checking this out on netflix soon :)

]]> By: Barry Rosenberg http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677982 Barry Rosenberg Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677982  Was it Groucho, or Groucho's son. You said "father", rather than "grandfather".  Was it Groucho, or Groucho’s son. You said “father”, rather than “grandfather”.

]]> By: David Hirsh http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677945 David Hirsh Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677945 My grandfather was one of those contestants, when I was in elementary school.  I remember taking the day off from school to watch.  This was long before recording devices existed. My grandfather was one of those contestants, when I was in elementary school.  I remember taking the day off from school to watch.  This was long before recording devices existed.

]]> By: fuzzo http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677941 fuzzo Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677941 Thanks so much for saving them. My grandson and I share a special bond anchored firmly in being nuts about your amazing grandfather hosting "You Bet Your Life."  Thanks so much for saving them. My grandson and I share a special bond anchored firmly in being nuts about your amazing grandfather hosting “You Bet Your Life.” 

]]> By: Jim Lillie http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677866 Jim Lillie Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677866  History will thank you Andy. We will never know all of the art we have lost over the years just by saying "Nah, toss it. Its old an no one is going to care about it anyway."  History will thank you Andy. We will never know all of the art we have lost over the years just by saying “Nah, toss it. Its old an no one is going to care about it anyway.”

]]> By: Bird666 http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677817 Bird666 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677817 I'd say this whole article is the emotional equivalent of saying the secret word and collecting, what was it, $100--great read and what a hero you are, Andy Marx! I’d say this whole article is the emotional equivalent of saying the secret word and collecting, what was it, $100–great read and what a hero you are, Andy Marx!

]]> By: Millard Fillmore http://boingboing.net/2013/03/12/the-day-my-grandfather-groucho.html#comment-1677814 Millard Fillmore Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=218202#comment-1677814 WPIX in New York ran "The Best of Groucho" every day during the 1960s, and I watched it as a kid.  I loved the bit about Jack Nicholson having had even a small part in saving this classic show.  And all those UPS trucks showing up with all those boxes at Groucho's house?  Just perfect, perfect art.  Thanks for the article. WPIX in New York ran “The Best of Groucho” every day during the 1960s, and I watched it as a kid.  I loved the bit about Jack Nicholson having had even a small part in saving this classic show.  And all those UPS trucks showing up with all those boxes at Groucho’s house?  Just perfect, perfect art.  Thanks for the article.

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