Arthur Marx in Vaudeville -- October 14, 2022

Buffalo Enquirer, 28-October-1922

The Four Marx Brothers, at that point Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Gummo, made a movie in 1921, but it was never released. Their film career really began in 1929. By 1922, baby brother Zeppo had replaced Gummo. They were on their way to Buffalo, New York's Criterion Theater to present a unit show called The Twentieth Century Revue. A unit show was a complete vaudeville bill in one. This item is decorated with a photo of Harpo as an infant. I see he had already begun to call himself Arthur rather than Adolph long before that other guy came along and ruined things.

Criterion

The Four Marx Brothers, who come to the Criterion Theater, next week, starting Monday, at the head of another of those inimitable Shubert vaudeville shows entitled "Twentieth Century Revue" have long been known as vaudeville headliners. All lovers of vaudeville remember Arthur, red-headed clown. Leo the Italian funster, Julius the eccentric, and Herbert the juvenile -- a quartette of fun-makers whose like has never been duplicated.

The "Twentieth Century Revue" is presented by a company that is startling from a theatrical viewpoint, having recruited its cast from the vaudeville and musical comedy stages and the motion picture studios. The Four Marx Brothers themselves are vaudeville's chief contribution. Olga and Mishka, remembered from "Tumble Inn," "Tickle me" and "The Last Waltz" and Al B. White and Harry Kranz, remembered from "Stop, Look and Listen" and "Hitchy Koo," "The Passing Show" and "Just a Minute" come from musical comedy, and Ethel Tearle from the motion pictures. She was formerly a Mack Sennett Bathing girl.

The Marx Brothers act must be seen to be appreciated. Olga and Mishka, with their own ballet present an act that has some startling dance ensembles in it. White and Krantz appear in a skit called "Just Nonsense." It is lively and entertaining.

Others in the vaudeville olio include The Garrett saxaphone (Sic -- JT) six, Misha Violin, premier European violinist, Malinoff and Aileen, Russian dancers, the Three Blair Sisters, clever girls who sing and dance, Ethel Teare herself and Marie Rossi, an exceedingly sweet songstress. The chorus of 40 is said to be unusually clever.

For next week the feature at the Criterion will be "The Whirl of New York."

Buffalo Times, 29-October-1922