The Unknown Marx Brothers

Rating:
Summary: Geart Documentary but Incomplete on DVD
Review: This is a great documentary, but the DVD has severly edited the documentary that was show on PBS. I have the whole documentary on tape and this is not it. The DVD leaves out the WWI years and a lot of the later films. Why? I don't know, but be warned, if you have seen the documentary before, this DVD is an edited version.

Rating:
Summary: Great Look Behind the Famous Trio
Review: This is a great DVD with tons of interviews by the people still alive that were closest to the Marx Brothers. Goes in-depth about the Marx brothers before they were actors on the silver screen and what they did after including TV. Has a plethora of material that has never been seen including outtakes from You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx, and many, many tv appearances by all three of the core ( Groucho, Harpo, and Chico ) inluding Harpo on The Milton Berle Show, and Groucho on The Bill Cosby Show. Narrated by Leslie Nealson, this DVD has many specials that a worth a look, especially the You Bet Your Life outtakes.

Rating:
Summary: Good documentary
Review: This one is pretty good, though a fairly average documentary type program of the PBS-style. Fans of the Bros. will not be disappointed; there's snippets of family home movies and extracts fro minterviews done in their later years. They concentrate only on the famous three but the remaining brothers also get a mention while discussing the family background etc. Overall an entertaining little program.

Rating:
Summary: Story of Funny
Review: This recaps the lives of the "5" Marx Brothers...and let us know there was actually a 6th but he died prior to the birth of Chico. It is a very telling story of their lives Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo & Gummo. Unfortunately you never do get to hear Harpo speak in this, I was hoping this video would have at least an excerpt. Also the only bad part I thought was that I thought there was a little too much attention paid to the tv series "You Bet Your Life" and they jumped from the sixties back to the 40's...it would've been nice if they could've just told the story from beginning to end. The first half of the video did just that and was excellent in painting the picture of the lives of the Marx Brothers. Anyone who is a fan of these comedy legends should get this video...I was never aware that the act began around 1915...which was 14 years before their first motion picture. Well, this video has a lot of rare clips and could teach even an avid Marx fan a thing or 2.

Rating:
Summary: Story of Funny
Review: This recaps the lives of the "5" Marx Brothers...and let us know there was actually a 6th but he died prior to the birth of Chico. It is a very telling story of their lives Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo & Gummo. Unfortunately you never do get to hear Harpo speak in this, I was hoping this video would have at least an excerpt. Also the only bad part I thought was that I thought there was a little too much attention paid to the tv series "You Bet Your Life" and they jumped from the sixties back to the 40's...it would've been nice if they could've just told the story from beginning to end. The first half of the video did just that and was excellent in painting the picture of the lives of the Marx Brothers. Anyone who is a fan of these comedy legends should get this video...I was never aware that the act began around 1915...which was 14 years before their first motion picture. Well, this video has a lot of rare clips and could teach even an avid Marx fan a thing or 2.

Rating:
Summary: Who?
Review: To all fans of the Marx Brothers, I don't see why you shouldn't watch this DVD. However, this is not the meaty biography you may be expecting. If you really want to learn about the Marx brothers, I recommend reading the books Harpo Speaks and Groucho and Me. What this DVD does give you, however, is a look at some of their work which never made it far. That is, rare and exclusive clips. The DVD seems to focus too much on Groucho, though, which can be good or bad. But overall, it was fun to watch. I learned little more than what I already know, but every bit of new Marx brothers material I can get my hands on is worth watching at least once.

Rating:
Summary: Whyaduck!??
Review: Well, I bought this DVD to replace the VHS version I own. Imagine my surprise when I find out the DVD is a completely re-
edited version of the tape! So now both versions have material exclusive of each other as well as repeating segments. Talk about a lame duck! It's like having a mother-in-law move in- you can't get rid of her. So I need to make room for both! The tape version has some great Marx Bros cartoon characters, the movie trailers, and even different clips from material shown on the DVD. Once again, the idiots at Winstar screw up (see my comment on Bastard Out Of Carolina). What would I give to have them stand at the wrong end of a shooting gallery; I'd horsewhip them if I had a horse....

Rating:
Summary: You Bet Your 126 Minutes!
Review: What is wonderful about this video program is that it reveals a great deal number of interesting, attractive episodes on Marx Brothers; and their rare home movies, clips of TV appearance or photos. This video sure has more than what a number of books on Marx Brothers have covered so far. If you have seen any of Brothers on TV of film, found them incredibly funny and felt thirsty for more about this incredible comedy team, this is the thing you should really check out! END