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

The Fifth of the Four Marx Brothers -- October 23, 2018

www.listal.com

Everyone remembers Groucho, Harpo and Chico.  Some people remember Zeppo.  The firth Marx Brother, Gummo, whose given name was Milton, was born 125 years ago today, on 23-October-1893.  Gummo was the first brother to appear on stage, and the first to quit, when he joined the Army during World War One.  Zeppo replaced him in the act.  Gummo went into the clothing business and then became a theatrical agent. The article is from the 13-August-1933 Washington Star. 

Fifth Marx Brother.

SUDDENLY out of the nowhere into Hollywood has come "Gummo" Marx, the fifth of the famous four Marx brothers. Gummo, it seems, was one of the original quartet, but for some strange reason decided he liked the clothing business better. He pulled up stakes from the team and became a merchant. Zeppo filled in for him. Now Gummo has returned to the fold to act as business adviser for his brothers, who are busily engaged in making their latest film, "Duck Soup."

Incidentally, it is reported that Harpo Marx has shaved his head, adopted a cane and monocle and decided to call himself Harpo von Marx, on account he insists he resembles Erich von Stroheim.