Second in a series.

 Re: “Frankly, My Dear, You Look Like Groucho” 

[Editor’s Note: Who, in Newspaperland, is old enough to remember Groucho Marx from his radio and television show, You Bet Your Life (1947-1961)? One of Us and the Other of Us entered the legendary 92-year-old Pasadena Playhouse last Saturday evening for a lifetime-scale performance, Frank Ferrante, in his 30th season of a one-man show, as The One, the Only Groucho!] 

Ms. Morse

Dateline Pasadena – When the Other of Us obtained tickets to Frank Ferrante’s widely praised portrayal of Groucho Marx at the Pasadena Playhouse last weekend, he would not have wagered a sticky wad of second-hand bubble gum on how One of Us would respond.

The Other of Us exercised his fretting instead of exorcising his fretting. He knew who Groucho was. He narrowly missed attending Groucho’s bris in 1890.

How much would One of Us know about Groucho?

Positively, I know who Groucho was, One of Us said.

But Groucho is not part of my history as, say, the Beatles were.

I was really young when the Beatles came out (in 1964).  I had to grow into them and into what that explosion was. Somebody who was a teenager, in college, or even older, had a completely different experience with the Beatles than someone who was a small child.

That is, until the Beatles hit the Ed Sullivan Show (Feb. 9, 1964).

Groucho, for me, was something from the past. I knew about him. I knew enough… I certainly knew of him. But I was not of him.

I don’t have anything to associate with Groucho. But seeing this show, I surprised even myself by laughing heartily for the umpteenth time at his zany quips.

This may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Perhaps, the most emulated comedian of the first half of the century, that rubber-limbed old-time vaudevillian, may not resonate with the same memory for every One of Us. Oh, Groucho……..do your thing!

Frankly, one of Groucho’s most recognizable poses. Photo: Kravis Center

The Other of Us said that for him, the most triumphant interlude of the smashingly entertaining evening came when One of Us remarked:

What touched me was, I want to learn more about Groucho because of Frank Ferrante’s performance.

Indeed, Frank’s performance honors and resurrects Groucho.

Kudos to the twelve-year-olds in the audience – two were directly in front of us — who were fortunate to know of and view Groucho. They came as prepared as the 80-year-olds, who witnessed this comedic icon, to catch the nuances of the show. For those of us who watched little TV growing up, it may take a wee bit more to catch up or catch on. But rest assured, we are quick learners. Best of all, we laugh with unrestraint because everyone knows, funny is funny – – timeless and immortal as our hero(s), Frank and Groucho.