The Forgotten Marx Brother

Often overlooked by casual fans, Chico Marx was the eldest Marx Brother and, in many ways, the group’s leader behind the scenes for much of its illustrious run. He also lived a fascinating and tumultuous life worthy of the wildest gossip columns Hollywood has ever known.
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[@bwtv147]

Chico was in all the movies. If anybody was forgotten it would be Zeppo and Gummo.

[@winstonelston5743]

Okay. the narrator did remember Manfred. And Minnie called Julius _The Dark One._

[@aisforapple2494]

Totally forgot Gummo!

[@tmhrows]

Im old enough (73) to remember it was always pronounced as Cheeko

[@RMSecurityGroup]

Nope has always been Chick-o.

[@tmhrows]

Nope, whether it was correct or not, my remembrance is correct. More often than not it was pronounced cheeko.

[@jobethschlatterer1655]

It still is. Even the women’s stores “Chico’s”, is pronounced cheekoos

[@bwtv147]

@@tmhrows I’m even older. I saw Groucho on the Dick Cavett show once. Cavett used the Spanish pronunciation. Groucho corrected him and gave the same explanation for “Chicko” as this video does.

[@karenklehm1036]

Pronounced Chick-o because he always chased the chicks. I'm 67.

[@specterman2000]

I know there are people who wish they could play the piano like Mozart or Beethoven but I always wanted to play like Chico! In every movie seeing him play the piano was my favorite part!

[@HeardYa]

Chico was hardly the forgotten one...that would be Gummo Edit: Chico was my favorite, so Im biased😁

[@dbarcd.5913]

Factinate is an idiot.

[@user-ih1mo8vv7o]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Eidann63]

Zeppo is next, just in front of Gummo ..

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Zeppo

[@63mckenzie]

@@Eidann63 Gummo became an agent and Zeppo started a ranch with Barbara Stanwyck called Marwyck.

[@peachluck1050]

Who taught these boys how to play their instruments. They all had great skills!

[@wardarcade7452]

Adolf (later Arthur) 'Harpo' Marx taught himself to play the harp! Notice he played it backwards!

[@winstonelston5743]

Chico took formal piano lessons and Harpo got the piano lessons second-hand from him. Harpo was largely self-taught. He remarked in _Harpo Speaks_ that his first harp lesson was a picture of a right-handed angel playing a harp. Harpo was left-handed and had been resting the harp against the "wrong" shoulder. Later in his life, Harpo approached several teachers, but quickly realized that he was teaching the teachers his unique technique. A couple of stories come to mind, his famous proposition to Talullah Bankhead ("And so you shall, you dear old-fashioned boy. So you shall.") and the somewhat tamer "I wasn't kissing her. I was whispering in her mouth."

[@peachluck1050]

@@winstonelston5743 - Thank you for your reply. Always admired their acting and musical skills, I assumed they were from a musical family and learned from their parents. Your information makes me want to read more about them. Thanks!

[@winstonelston5743]

@@peachluck1050 Read _Harpo Speaks_ for the full story. Harpo and Groucho both described Sam "Frenchie" Marx as a less-than-brilliant tailor. Minnie was a tiger stage mom.

[@user-lc9co9kv9j]

Summer of 1971, my sister owned the TV in the living room but around 11am she'd go upstairs to her room and listen to her David Cassidy or Donny Osmond records. That is when I discovered the Marx Brothers. It was "Monkey Business" and when they were singing the Maurice Chevalier song I laughed harder and longer than I ever did before in my life. When I babysat my niece's and nephews as an adult I would pay them to watch the Marx Brothers (I had to cuz the films were in black and white) and hook them. The joy of watching a child discover them was priceless. I would leave knowing my job was done. I infected them with happiness like I was!

[@godsowndrunk1118]

Actually, the most forgotten Marx brother was the little known sixth brother, Skid.....

[@user-zi7te7ix8s]

What a pianist!!!!!

[@danielthoman7324]

I remember another brother named Zeppo.😮

[@elizabethhouse9454]

Yes

[@dreadcthulhu5]

And Gummo.

[@JeffSherlock]

Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Gummo, Zeppo.

[@sugarplum5824]

Bedding Tallulah Bankhead wasn't exactly a difficult task.

[@smilanesi98]

Well, it was more difficult considering she was openly gay.

[@StamperWendy]

Her interesting quote is that her mother warned her about men with alcohol but neglected to warn her about women with co--- blow, or snow.

[@StamperWendy]

@smilansi98 Bi

[@sugarplum5824]

@@smilanesi98 She was open for whatever was available.

[@steveschmidt5156]

@@sugarplum5824 A walking mix of STD's.

[@HauntedCJ]

Say "Chicko" one more time!!! 👊

[@ginaheller333]

You won the internet today!😂

[@kathleenjordan6875]

His niece called him Chicko. During an interview on TV, his niece repeatedly called him Chicko.

[@StamperWendy]

😂

[@HeardYa]

@@HauntedCJ 🫣🤣

[@tomsdotter3228]

It IS pronounced Chicko, per Groucho and Harpo, because he liked to chase "chicks".

[@kimberlysheridan5530]

Harpo wrote in his autobiography "Harpo Speaks", he was concerned that older brother Chico would steal the watch Harpo received as a gift for his bar mitzvah, and hock it at the pawn shop. So Harpo removed the hands from the watch. After that, he knew it was his forever.

[@nickstjohn6980]

Read Harpo's book (Harpo Speaks). On page 32, he relates how each brother got their nicknames. Chico, pronounced Chicko, was a serious womanizer. Even he, himself in interviews, admits that he "liked the chickens". Later on in life, people began referring to him as Cheeko, which he allowed, due to the stigma it had on his family. Watch interviews with Groucho and you'll see that he's referred to as Chicko. This video has gotten it right. Those who don't get it suffer from the Mandela effect. It has ALWAYS been pronounced Chicko by his closest friends. Again, read Harpo's book if you don't believe me. I've read several (and did a paper on them in college) so I know. Fun fact: Zeppo was always the fastest and funniest of all the Marx Brothers. He was so quick with a joke that he was first called Zippo but decided he didn't want to be named after a lighter and changed it to Zeppo. If you were throwing a party, Zeppo was the one you wanted to attend. He was also responsible for building the brackets for transporting the two atomic bombs to the pacific. A major role during the war. But Chico is Chicko and was from the beginning. Now go out and impress your friends.

[@dbarcd.5913]

The video has it wrong. His stage name was always Cheeko. He was never called chicko. Try watching a movie. Reading comprehension works too.

[@jimnething1264]

@@dbarcd.5913 then why would his own brother Groucho pronounce it "chicko"?

[@MissWishes]

⭐️🏆⭐️Chico was my favorite Marx brother. I enjoyed this interesting story.

[@kathleenpignatari5306]

Okay everyone, the narrator IS pronouncing Chico’s name correctly-he was nicknamed “chicko” because in real life he chased women (chicks). Watch any interview with Groucho, Dick Cavett or Marx family member and they pronounce his name “chicko”. I grew up a huge fan of the Marx brothers and have read several books by them and about them-I am a bit of an aficionado on the subject.

[@user-fo9pq4wy2y]

Absolutely true. Read the Marx brothers biography.

[@paden1865able]

I thought Chico was pronounced in the Hispanic manner so the way you said it was jarring.

[@bwtv147]

😊.

[@tennyceb]

I think you are right

[@phillipminer4641]

​@@tennycebyou are right to think that

[@annaboner3414]

"Chicko" as in chasing after the chicks

[@tennyceb]

@@phillipminer4641 😃

[@steveschmidt5156]

Had an affair with Tallulah Bankhead?? And in the days before penicillin? To save her life Bankhead had to have a hysterectomy because of an incurable STD. A lot of people had had Bankhead.

[@aisforapple2494]

Speaking of promiscuous actresses, my Dad told me that Joan Collins was so promiscuous during her early days in Hollywood, her detractors referred to her as "The British Open". 🤣🤣🤣

[@JimReuterskiold]

Wikipedia's page on Chico Marx has a paragraph regarding the pronunciation of "Chico". According to the page, the narrator of this video is pronouncing it correctly. There are references to Groucho also pronouncing the name as "Chicko" in interviews. Good enough for me.

[@dbarcd.5913]

The narrator is not pronouncing it correctly. You're a joke. Try watching one of the movies. I guess your standards are pretty low considering it's good enough for you.

[@bernhardwall6876]

In "Duck Soup," when Groucho, Chico and Harpo are all wearing a nightshirt-and-cap costume, Groucho and Chico look indistinguishable from each other. Harpo, though, looks off because he always had too much of a wide-eyed appearance about himself.

[@dreadcthulhu5]

In all of those pictures of them out of costume I can still tell who is Harpo because of his eyes and smile.

[@HeardYa]

@@bernhardwall6876 My favorite line was from Chico: "Who you gonna believe? Me or your own eyes?"🤣

[@lynnlobliner3933]

Back in the 80s I read Maxine's book about her dad. Harpo and Groucho had both written autobios but Chico never got around to it. She said (per her research) they ALL were womanizers in the early years. She said they passed women around. Harpo married Susan and stopped philandering.

[@carolcaponigro]

They all looked like brothers

[@Fruity_lexia]

I wonder why

[@overcomerbtbojesus]

@@Fruity_lexia🤣

[@carolcaponigro]

@Fruity_lexia not to sound stupid, it's just amazing how strong genes are to have brothers with strong familiar features. Look at James Mitchem. He so looks like his father, and Alan Hale and Hale Jr.

[@rossdelain1645]

Groucho is the only one who looks like Minnie.

[@Eidann63]

He’s my favorite Marx Brother!

[@bluemoon1033]

Forgotten? You kidding? 🥴

[@bfc3057]

Zeppo is the forgotten Marx Brother

[@RobertaReal7980]

And Gummo

[@bfc3057]

@@RobertaReal7980 indeed - Gummo is so forgotten I never heard of him. Until now. I've just looked him up after your comment.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Gummo , Zeppo, and Clappo , the infected

[@monicadaniels784]

Excellent video, well done!

[@Awaywrdson]

I always liked his comedy and his piano playing was Amazing and fun to watch !! All Marx Bros. R.I.P 🙏 Thanks for the laughs !! 👍

[@flipindisticalproductions4736]

radibonzical video, makes me want to go and watch some Marx Brothers, truly you are an inspiration

[@user-lz4rb7by3q]

I’ve heard of Chico’s gambling addiction. I Always liked the 3 main Marx Brothers. They did some Great Skits together. Their timing was Phenomenal! I still Always watch “You Bet Your Life “ Groucho’s quiz show. It’s such a Crack Up!! 🙏🏻👼😎👼🙏🏻

[@bwtv147]

Buggy Siegel built an early Strip casino. Las Vegas already had casinos.

[@63mckenzie]

There is a famous scene in A Night At The Opera where the tiny ship's cabin becomes crowded with people. Watch Chico and the young woman (down on the left). There is a moment where her face suggests Chico had his hand somewhere inappropriate.

[@galloe8933]

I feel like not everyone in that poll knew too much about Chico because of him not being Groucho and all, and the ones who do don't like him because they feel he may have held them back with his addiction so screw him, and then the ones who have studied the brothers and knew who he actually was in the family and used that to decide. I honestly think it has/had more to do with the age of it all. No one knew him, but some know of him, and all the other shitheads in between commenting our views on him over KZbin, after just learning about him. Man I love all of this, because there is history in this silver age gossip that I otherwise would have never known about. Good stuff!

[@helenstillman-dk7jm]

Ya right they didnt knw him & nor did his daughter

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

The rumor was that Zeppo was the funniest of all the Marx bros in private.

[@Glamrockqueen]

I swear the titles of these videos are purely for clickbait! Chico Marx was a valued member of the brothers. Each and everyone of them had a crucial part to play in each and every film. Yes, that also includes the lovely Zeppo.

[@MavonEast]

The channel uploads old celebrity scandals on a daily basis. I'd say clickbait is putting it lightly.

[@Glamrockqueen]

@@MavonEast I know love. Half of its crap information too!

[@harlow743]

In this case Chick Bait

[@Glamrockqueen]

@@harlow743 That's a good one! x

[@lp-xl9ld]

Apparently it was originally spelled "Chicko" but at one theater the program had it as "Chico" and it stuck that way. There's a picture of the four brothers on the set of either MONKEY BUSINESS or HORSE FEATHERS, each one is in one of those "director's chairs", and there's a picture illustrating their nicknames (the frowning mask from the theater symbol; a harp; a bird; a zeppelin).

[@dale1956ties]

Chico did a brilliant bit in Room Service I believe it was, where in his faux Italian accent he impersonated an Irish "hotel dick" complete with a brogue colored by the over arching Italian accent. It was great. Only the best can do one fake but convincing accent imitating a different stereotypical accent. Mel Blanc could do it too having one of his characters imitating the voice of another. More recently you can also hear Tom Kenny do it when for example Spongebob imitates Krabbs. Outstanding voices all.

[@sharonpolome3033]

You MUST see Chico playing piano to the little Italian children, in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, to appreciate the utter CHARM of this man......no wonder he got so many women.......he was magic on screen, and must have been irresistible in person. I wish I had known him -- actually, Harpo was a real charmer as well. (Not so much GROUCHO!)

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

I never heard of the fling with Tallulah. Chico did have an affair with Ann Roth, sister of Lillian, that nearly broke up his (first) marriage to Betty Karp Marx. It is documented in his daughter's book, "Growing Up With Chico."

[@JAMESPATTERSON-mk9sr]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="75">1:15</a> Chico , Harpo , Groucho and Zeppo for those who would not know them cleaned up . At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="473">7:53</a> taken in 1958 Harpo , Zeppo , Chico . Groucho and Gummo all dressed dapper .

[@RobertaReal7980]

Why did you show pictures of Groucho when at that moment you were talking about Chico?

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

"I wasn't kissing her. I was just whispering in her mouth."

[@Lorabeachlife]

Good video but I’m missing details like when he died and what of. More details of him. I watched it a lot growing up. Reruns and vhs of course.

[@ma4450]

Wiki's bio says he died at home at the age of 74 of arteriosclerosis.

[@kiltedjohn1000]

Can you pronounce Grand Prix?

[@jasoncromwell4206]

Sometimes the direct approach works!!!! Show me a clip of a Hollywood celebrity who actually had a happy life if you want to shock me. I haven't heard of one yet.

[@restock_1731]

Great video.

[@dbarcd.5913]

It sucked. He didn't do any research.

[@Brian-pf7qq]

Gummo never was in the movies, he worked in the movie business but behind the scenes.

[@btcrazee1]

Bankhead’s family is buried at Jasper, Al. where some of my people are buried.

[@sendtherain23]

I grew up knowing him as Cheeko, but I read it’s supposed to be pronounced Chicko because of him chasing women. Let’s just focus on the video yall. 😫

[@winstonelston5743]

Groucho _(indicates map):_ And over here we have a levee... Chico _(interrupting):_ Oh, Ats'a da Jewish neighborhood. Groucho: We'll pass over that one.

[@marilynscott-waters7786]

Oddly enough, if you watch the Groucho Dick Cavett interview, Groucho pronounces it both Chick-o and Cheeko.

[@kijekuyo9494]

I loved Chico's routines. He was great as the guy that paired with both Harpo and Groucho more than the other two with each other. I have no favorite among the three. It's a 3-way tie.

[@kali3665]

Chico Marx was never the forgotten Marx Brother. Does anyone remember Gummo or Zeppo? Gummo never appeared in the Brothers' movies, having split to form his own talent agency long before. And Zeppo left the team after completing Duck Soup. So, there are your forgotten Marx Brothers. Chico got the Brothers their contract with MGM - mostly because Irving Thalberg was a poker buddy, and Chico figured anyone that good at poker would be worth working for. It made the Brothers a lot of money, but the movies got worse over time.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Talulah Bankhead was hardly a conquest …. The Panty-less Wonder

[@Cynthia-ld9eb]

Cheeko is what I grew up. the The way pronounced in this video I believe is incorrect. His name has a long ee as pronounced.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

It is NOT incorrect. That is how the Marx family pronounced it. YOU are wrong.

[@anitarichmond8930]

Yes,he was a bit of a rake. You could see it in his eye. I love the story you told about him eulogy, I’m sure it had the mourner asking if that guy was at the right funeral? 😂

[@lisag18]

You all have time to argue the pronunciation of the man's nickname? Once and for all, it was CHICK-o. He was not Latino.

[@mariondudek564]

Chikko had problems.

[@oveidasinclair982]

I liked Chico the best of the Marx Brothers, if he was born Italian and just a few things were different, he would have fitted right in with the Italian Mafia in NYC.

[@St63420]

GREAT Thievery was a title both Italians and Jews could hold.😂.

[@markmed9091]

Look up what “ infamous “ means before you misuse it again .

[@RobertaReal7980]

I've been a Marx brothers fan since i was a kid & I've never heard it pronounced chick-o.

[@jimnething1264]

then why did Chico's own brother Groucho pronounce it "Chick-O" in interviews? that would seem to settle it!

[@RobertaReal7980]

@@jimnething1264 didn't say it was a lie. I said I'd never heard it pronounced that way.

[@jimnething1264]

@@RobertaReal7980 I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, Roberta. I think Chico was okay with either pronounciation, so in that sense I think we're all correct, lol!

[@RobertaReal7980]

@@jimnething1264 you didn't upset me Hun. We're both fans ❤️

[@jimnething1264]

@@RobertaReal7980 so true!! 🙂

[@harlow743]

His brother Groucho pronounced it as Chicko..............apparently all these people below think Groucho was wrong !!

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Forgotten? He's much more well known than two of his brothers.

[@ssjup81]

Geez all these years I’ve been pronouncing his name wrong.

[@davidstrickler5362]

He had a photographic memory, yet he kept forgetting his lines ?

[@dlschgo]

Cheek--O. Sheesh!

[@tomlevier3615]

Wait, there are people who believe Zeppo was funnier than Chico?

[@LorrieMiller-qm9pz]

He was called Cheeko not not Chicko

[@conorolaf1762]

So he gambled and chased chicks. So he was a regular guy!

[@NuglessMacArthur]

Say it with me "CHEE-KO"

[@raymeedc]

How’s he the “forgotten” Marx brother? If you know of them, you know them all, as they were equals in every way on screen & fame. The forgotten Marx brothers were Zeppo & more so, Gummo.

[@IndigenousUndergroundPrimate]

Wait! You can`t release this with the wrong pronunciation of Chico`s name.

[@sergioandrade8735]

According to what I've heard it was "Chick-Oh" because he liked "Chicks".

[@kennethpeterson4068]

He probably is still a free spirit. Soar

[@BgO635]

So what if he had an affair, people do have them Even a good handful of our presidents . Let him rest in peace.. Poor man.🙏

[@jessewolf7649]

I think u mean “best”

[@ollielucious348]

CHEEEEEEKO

[@janetseager4069]

The mispronunciation of his name is extremely irritating

[@kayhathaway6956]

Well, he explains his pronunciation very clearly.

[@aisforapple2494]

Wouldn't Zeppo be "the forgotten Marx Brother??!! You didn't mention Karl either. 🤣

[@nathandodge665]

Groucho corroborated this in his book.

[@unclezero7639]

Cheeeko not chicko. Sheesh

[@mssmith3604]

Nope. Didn't you follow the video? He chased chicks (women).

[@lisaanndavis3289]

Has the close caption typist never HEARD of the Marx brothers???? Can'[t spell Chico or GROUCHO???

[@andrealittle2836]

What a jerk.

[@deeprose8598]

It’s pronounced CHEEKO

[@frogmantoad8110]

Karl Marx was the biggest clown of all! 😂😂😂😂😂. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@karenklehm1036]

@@frogmantoad8110 Good one.

[@bikerfry]

Dude. Learn how to pronounce the names of those people whose stories you steal.

[@user-mm7li8il5d]

Probably an AI voice

[@Factinate]

All of our videos are narrated by real humans!

[@Brightangel55]

Pronounced ch-EE-ko for goodness sake !!!!! It's a long eeee sound, not short like a chicken. I can't watch - your mispronunciation of the man's name is killing me 😖😓

[@Cynthia-ld9eb]

@@Brightangel55 I hear yah, I could watch the video any longer because the narrator’s pronunciation was getting to me.

[@carlmassengale1027]

Did you stop watching before the narrator explained the difference between the commonly accepted pronunciation of the name and its original, intended, and correct pronunciation?

[@SeeCSeesCC]

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeko

[@thomasgagliardi5931]

Chee- Koh

[@madisonophelia9523]

The speaker needs to learn how to pronounce the words he has to read. His mispronounciation is off-putting.

[@harlow743]

This guy sugar coats what Chico actually said...

[@fredgardner2870]

C H E E C K O..

[@judyochoa422]

Its nit chic-co its chico, lol

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

It is pronounced "CHIK-O." That is how Groucho and the other brothers pronounced it. They knew more than you do.

[@kristynwatters1913]

I hate the mispronunciation- pls fix it

[@smgri]

Cheeeee ko ..Jesus

[@ricksamericana749]

Really, you expect to be taken seriously when you can't even get the first name of a very famous person correct?

[@danielcostello4041]

CHEEKO! GET THE AI RIGHT! Use a person and do a little darn research. CHEEKO

[@egyptcat4301]

My Lord! Do some research on his name pronunciation while you're at it!

[@elizabethhouse9454]

This video is very good except for the distracting & annoying AI voice mispronouncing Chico. It's pronounced CHEEK-O not chick-o.

[@allan9603]

@elizabeth, wrong. Groucho made it clear numerous times that Chico was pronounced Chick-O. Also, the narrator isn't an AI voice.

[@markb.265]

​@allan9603 Except he didn't. Stop pulling crap out of your ass just to be disagreeable.

[@allan9603]

@@markb.265 , Just to prove you wrong, I would post links to interviews Groucho had with Dick Cavett and Steve Allen where Groucho made it clear the pronunciation of Chico's name, but you being an ass wipe changed my mind. End of discussion.

[@lisag18]

It's Chick and it's not AI

[@shannonwalker6944]

No, it is not. You can find Grouch pronouncing it Chick-O. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico_Marx

[@sinman1968]

Who can't pronounce Chico correctly? A narrator? /sigh

[@dianeful04]

Hey, perhaps look up the pronunciation before you post a video. It’s like nails on a chalkboard listening to this.

[@singing4fun]

Your pronunciation of his name is incorrect, makes this video unwatchable and leaves me questioning the quality of your research.

[@carlmassengale1027]

Question the quality of your own research. You can start by watching the video.

[@singing4fun]

@@carlmassengale1027 I watched it. That's why I know your pronunciation is wrong. If you can't get the name right, then I question if you are getting the other details correct. It seems a lot of people have pointed this out to you already.

[@carlmassengale1027]

@@singing4fun The issue is research. If you'll undertake a little honest research into the true pronunciation of this man's nickname, you can fairly soon discover that the narrator has it correct. Groucho and Harpo both confirmed it in interviews during their lives. See Groucho's appearance on Dick Cavett, and Harpo's autobiography. The matter is explained in the above video, and corroborated by the Marx brothers themselves.

[@singing4fun]

@@carlmassengale1027 well I guess I stand corrected. What you are saying is confirmed on a Wikipedia page. My apologies.

[@carlmassengale1027]

@@singing4fun It appears many of us are learning this at about the same time.