Hello, I Must Be Going—Groucho and His Friends
book review of "Hello, I Must Be Going -- Groucho and His Friends" by Charlotte Chandler, a biography of Groucho Marx focusing on his later years
Hello, I Must Be Going has a double meaning as the title of this biography of Groucho Marx. In addition to being the theme song for his character Dr. Spaulding in Animal Crackers, it is also the theme for this book—the final years of Groucho Marx, as the old comedian and clown looks towards his final exit. I know that sounds maudlin, but the book definitely isn’t—it’s Groucho at his twilight, but mentally as sharp as ever, and as funny as ever. In addition, the author interviews many of Groucho’s friends from his twilight years, including Bill Cosby, Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson, Elliot Gould and many others.
Book Description of Hello, I Must Be Going—Groucho and His Friends
When Charlotte Chandler called Groucho Marx for an interview, he answered the phone himself. Declining to be interviewed, he invited her over to his house so he could tell her no in person. After talking with her for hours, Groucho asked, “Why aren’t you writing?”
Hello, I Must Be Going is the story of Groucho and the Marx Brothers, told through Groucho’s everyday conversations with Charlotte Chandler and his friends. And what a group of friends they were! Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson, Elliott Gould, Bill Cosby, Marvin Hamlisch, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Sidney Sheldon, and dozens of others walk through the pages of this fascinating book. Anyone interested in Groucho or the Marx Brothers, or who wants to spend a few hours in fabulous company, will find this book irresistible.
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