Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the Louvash book
Review: I agree with the reviewer who cited the erroneous info about Groucho's absence from the NY stage. Furthermore, in the same chapter, some of Groucho's most famous quips are ineptly misquoted; ................The absence of notes is particularly annoying in a bio that aims to be definitive, and the acknowledgements make his research seem skimpy in the area of primary sources. Also, the pictures in the book are the same tired ones Marx fans have seen for years.Far better researched is Simon Louvash's new book on all the brothers. Louvash is particularly strong on the brothers' European forebears and on their boyhoods; through diligence and common sense, Louvash destroys some cherished Marx myths. I picked up the book in England earlier this year and enjoyed it immensely. It is due here [soon].
Rating: 
Summary: OK Bio
Review: I enjoyed reading this biography of Marx, but I have to agree with the reviewers who claimed it was light on research. It also seems that the author disliked his subject and went out of his way to present him in an unflattering light. Otherwise, it seems to cover his life from the cradle to the grave adequately, but without brilliance.
Rating:
Summary: OK Bio
Review: I enjoyed reading this biography of Marx, but I have to agree with the reviewers who claimed it was light on research. It also seems that the author disliked his subject and went out of his way to present him in an unflattering light. Otherwise, it seems to cover his life from the cradle to the grave adequately, but without brilliance.
Rating: 
Summary: Very detailed; but long-winded
Review: I have always wanted to find a book telling in detail the history of the Marx Brothers; and I think I have found the "Bible" itself. Groucho goes in perfect detail the history of the Marx Brother from their meager beginings on the Upper East Side of New York City, their struggles in vaudeville and their triumph as cult figures of the silver screen. It also painfully shows the dark side of Marx Brother's private live from Chico's gambling and womanizing to Groucho's insecurites of being a loving husband and father. Get ready to sit down go deep into comedy history.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting book about an interesting man...
Review: I have to start by saying that while I absolutely love the 4 or 5 Marx Brother's films that I've seen, I'm not a die hard fan in the sense that I'm not an expert on the Brothers, their careers or their lives, and this is the first book related to them that I've read. That being said, I don't see many of the flaws in this book that some previous reviewers have mentioned, in that I can't really comment on the author's accuracy or lack of. What I can say is that this is an interesting book, and certainly portrays Groucho in what is to me an unacustomed light, a far cry from the absolute character that he is in the films. Intead, we see a man who, because of the demands and treatment he received during his childhood, has difficulty dealing with women and children on many levels to the point where he seems to drive three of the most important women in his life (two wives and one of his daughters) into severe alchoholism. What I found to be most interesting about this book (to its credit) is it portrays Groucho's fears and sensitivities, especially to critics reviews (although, in the end, for Groucho the bottom line was always the box office, and not the critics). Its ironic then that based on this book's descriptions of Groucho's reactions to things written about him, its quite clear that this book probably would have outraged Groucho since its overall depiction of him is far from flattering in many respects.
Rating: 
Summary: Splendid!
Review: I learned of Stanley Kanfer biography through Dick Cavett's review in the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Cavett was Mr. Marx's friend during his later years. His familiarity with Mr. Kanfer's subject only adds credibility to his praise. I was not disappointed. Simply stated, Kanfer's biography of Groucho Marx is superb. His book is one of the best biographies I've every read. It's extraordinarily precise, entertaining, readable and educational. His insights into Marx's personality are splendidly lucid and forthright. He holds no punches, much as he greatly admires Mr. Marx. I found his analyses of the entertainer's personality quick, frank and admirably honest. There are few faults this reader can report. It's clearly obvious that Mr. Kanfer leaned heavily on previous sources, but their precise origins remain unidentified. I wish the author had included more photographs, but I'm grateful for those chosen. There are, without doubt, other ways to see them. Marx's early life receives rather less attention than his late years, but I believe that's a consequence of the available information. Still, this reader remains unsure that Marx's mother Minnie can be blamed almost entirely for his phobias, neuroses and family antagonisms. Mr. Kanfer shares his understanding of the entertainment industry willingly with his readers without vanity or hubris. His remarkably deep knowledge base, obvious background friendships and Hollywood contacts no doubt assisted his writing. The reader gravitates to these points rather than being dragged or battered by them. In fact, I only questioned how the author included so many intimate details of Marx's life without being physically present, yet I never questioned if they were imagined. The book's last section on the battle over Mr. Marx's fortune is reviewed in great detail. Fifty-five pages are devoted to Erin Fleming's influence and legal squabbles. They read rather like the script of a soap opera and are somewhat less satisfying than the prior 383 pages. That being stated, these incidents were still greatly important in Mr. Marx's life, death and legacy. His survivors and Ms. Fleming were left devoid of parts of their sanity and significant financial resources following this protracted battle. This reader was left saddened by the section, yet Mr. Kanfer never shirks from this sordid part of Marx's history. In summary, there is much to praise and little to criticize. Julius (Groucho) Marx receives splendidly honest treatment and analysis as one of America's great comedians. His wit, intelligence, timing, work and devotion to his craft made him incomparable. And thanks to Mr. Kanfer, now I know where to find his star in the galaxy.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid!
Review: I learned of Stanley Kanfer biography through Dick Cavett's review in the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Cavett was Mr. Marx's friend during his later years. His familiarity with Mr. Kanfer's subject only adds credibility to his praise. I was not disappointed. Simply stated, Kanfer's biography of Groucho Marx is superb. His book is one of the best biographies I've every read. It's extraordinarily precise, entertaining, readable and educational. His insights into Marx's personality are splendidly lucid and forthright. He holds no punches, much as he greatly admires Mr. Marx. I found his analyses of the entertainer's personality quick, frank and admirably honest. There are few faults this reader can report. It's clearly obvious that Mr. Kanfer leaned heavily on previous sources, but their precise origins remain unidentified. I wish the author had included more photographs, but I'm grateful for those chosen. There are, without doubt, other ways to see them. Marx's early life receives rather less attention than his late years, but I believe that's a consequence of the available information. Still, this reader remains unsure that Marx's mother Minnie can be blamed almost entirely for his phobias, neuroses and family antagonisms. Mr. Kanfer shares his understanding of the entertainment industry willingly with his readers without vanity or hubris. His remarkably deep knowledge base, obvious background friendships and Hollywood contacts no doubt assisted his writing. The reader gravitates to these points rather than being dragged or battered by them. In fact, I only questioned how the author included so many intimate details of Marx's life without being physically present, yet I never questioned if they were imagined. The book's last section on the battle over Mr. Marx's fortune is reviewed in great detail. Fifty-five pages are devoted to Erin Fleming's influence and legal squabbles. They read rather like the script of a soap opera and are somewhat less satisfying than the prior 383 pages. That being stated, these incidents were still greatly important in Mr. Marx's life, death and legacy. His survivors and Ms. Fleming were left devoid of parts of their sanity and significant financial resources following this protracted battle. This reader was left saddened by the section, yet Mr. Kanfer never shirks from this sordid part of Marx's history. In summary, there is much to praise and little to criticize. Julius (Groucho) Marx receives splendidly honest treatment and analysis as one of America's great comedians. His wit, intelligence, timing, work and devotion to his craft made him incomparable. And thanks to Mr. Kanfer, now I know where to find his star in the galaxy.
Rating:
Summary: Medium Marx for New Book....
Review: I've been a Marx Bros. fanatic for over 35 years, and I have read everything there is to read about them. Mr. Kanfer's book is basically a rehash of stories culled from earlier books. His book is chockfull of apocryphal anecdotes and misquotes (how do these authors know exactly what was said behind closed doors?). The photos were also disappointingly familiar. On the plus side, I enjoyed some of his insights into Groucho's fragile psyche. For the real stuff I would recommend Steve Stoliar's :Raised Eyebrows", and Hector Arce's, Groucho".
Rating: 
Summary: Umm... Minimal Research, Please?
Review: I've been reading "Monkey Business," the other new Marx Brothers biography purchased from Amazon, and "Groucho" caught my eye in local bookstore. It took me one brief browse to put it back on the shelf, unpurchased. There is a description of Groucho's detestation for Humphrey Bogart after seeing him belt his wife in public. This was Bogart's "first wife, Virginia Mayo." Virginia Mayo? Virginia Mayo was a good actress who came to prominence in the forties, several years after the quoted anecdote took place. I assume the author meant Bogart's third wife, Mayo Methot. If the author can't get the facts straight about one of Hollywood's greatest icons, are we supposed to trust anything he says about the lesser-known people surrounding his biographical topic? How slipshod can you get?
Rating:
Summary: Definitive bio on comic genius reveals more man than mirth
Review: I've read a lot of books on Groucho and the boys,and this one will probably go down as the definitive word on Groucho. Kanfer shows a clear understanding of the man with the greaspaint moustaches, but what I appreciated most was what the book told me about the man over his onscreen persona. Groucho's lifelong parsimony and troubles with women are mostly brushed away in other books, but Kanfer delves into these topics here without being tabloidish. Of particuar insight (and sometimes heartbreakingly) are the early showbiz years for the Marxes and Groucho in his final years with the Erin Fleming situation. A solid read.
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