The Marx Brothers Honored With New Exhibit at Hollywood Museum (Exclusive)

Marx Bros Exhibit Hollywood Museum collage — Everett Collection

Groucho Marx famously said, “I refuse to become part of any club that would have me as a member.” Hopefully, he wouldn’t have included museums in that thought, because The Hollywood Museum recently launched its newest exhibit, “The Legends of Laughter: The Marx Brothers.”

Highlights of the exhibit include Chico Marx’s iconic hat; Harpo Marx‘s screen-used iconic horn, wig, harmonica, trench coat, travel trunk, other costumes and outfits, a painting created by Harpo, and props from Groucho Marx‘s show You Bet Your Life. Museum goers can also check out furnishings from Groucho’s home, plus books from his personal library and autographed scripts. (See below for exclusive photos.)

ReMIND Magazine was there for the star-studded opening event in July, which included of Marx Brothers family members, friends and associates of the brothers, and family historians. Harpo’s son, pianist Bill Marx, now 88, was joined by Groucho’s granddaughter, former actress Jade Marx-Berti, and Gummo’s grandson, Days of Our Lives actor Gregg Marx, 70. Groucho’s assistant Steve Stoliar, who also wrote the best-selling book Raised Eyebrows, rubbed elbows with Robert S. Bader, a Marx Brothers historian and author of four popular books about the brothers. Marx Brother family friend and historian Frank Ferrante also made an appearance.

Credit: Mike Pingel

On the red carpet, Donelle Dadigan, founder and president of the Hollywood Museum, located in the historic Max Factor Building, told ReMIND magazine the exhibit was a long time coming and that she was happy to deliver. “The Marx Brothers are legends of comedy,” he told us. “I can’t tell you how many generations of fans have asked for a Marx Brothers exhibit.”

About the evening and the Marx Brothers’ impact, Gummo’s grandson Gregg remarked, “I’m just happy to celebrate their legacy. The opportunity to come here and be part of their legacy is incredible. It’s important to keep it alive.”

Jade Marx, granddaughter of Groucho Marx, also shared her thoughts. “It’s an honor to be a Marx, and it’s an honor to be here, with this exhibit, to see everything I haven’t seen.”

During the exhibit’s unveiling ceremony, Bill Marx, son of Harpo Marx, took the stage and shared memories of his father with the audience.

Credit: Mike Pingel

“He was one of the greats, when they say a gentleman. This is my honor to be here, in fact, it’s my honor to be anywhere!” Marx said. “I just wanted to say a few notes about my relationship with my dad. In the exhibit, there is a prop trunk I was given the dubious honor of being in charge of when I was 12 years old. We were working in the London Palladium, and my dad felt that I had the ability to lay out all those props. He always had more confidence in me than I had in myself.”

“I want to leave you with something that he used to say very rarely when he spoke at the end of his act on stage,” Bill continued. “He didn’t say it very often, but when he did, he said, ‘I want to thank you all for the instinctive perspicacity and the wonderful understanding of true genius, quite frankly. I thank you.’

“And, I forgot to mention,” Bill concluded, “he added ‘monumental megalomania.’”

Credit: Mike Pingel

The Marx Brothers were an iconic American comedy troupe that comprised five siblings: Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo. The brothers rose to comic fame with a distinctive blend of unruly humor, rapid-fire wordplay, and slapstick antics, and captivated audiences from vaudeville stages and Broadway theaters, and in motion pictures and television appearances.

In total, the Marx Brothers starred in 14 films. Among their most celebrated films are Horse Feathers, Duck Soup, and A Night at the Opera. And though their first film, 1929’s Cocoanuts, aired almost 100 years ago, The Marx Brothers’ legacy continues to inspire new generations of comedians and entertainers. They truly are the pioneers of modern comedy.

The Legends of Laughter: The Marx Brothers is now on display at the Hollywood Museum, located at 1660 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90028 (Hollywood Blvd. and N. Highland Ave.), open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $12 for students with ID and $5 for children under 5.