Forum - New Bio of Groucho

Posts: 27
From:Seattle, WA, USA
Registered: Nov 98

I find this book to be MUCH different from any previous Marx Bros. bio, as Mr. Kanfer has no desire to beatify the brothers (or Minnie for that matter) as so many other biographers do. In fact he goes to great lengths (in my opinion) to do just the opposite. Using what appears to be quotes from Groucho's personal correspondence and from unnamed "friends", Mr. Kanfer paints a stark portrait of Groucho as an unhappy man who tortures any woman with whom he is close. Mr. Kanfer also describes many times the relationship between Groucho and his eldest daughter, Miriam, as "inappropriate".

I am really mixed on how I feel about this book. On the one hand I find it refreshing to read a book that doesn't show the Marx Brothers life through rose colored glasses, but on the other hand I feel that Mr. Kafner is making some National Enquirer-esque, not-so-veiled innuendo that sounds pretty hard to substantiate.

Anyone else have an opinion on this book? Or on the accusations?