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Marx Brothers Biography Trivia Quiz

Ten multiple-choice questions about the comedy troupe that many consider to be the zaniest act ever to appear on stage or screen.

A multiple-choice quiz by Fasolt. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Fasolt

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
225,762

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
978

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (10/10), Guest 35 (7/10), Guest 24 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How many Marx Brothers were members of the act at one time or another? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. Their mother was a driving force in the success of the Marx Brothers. What was her first name? Hint

Mamie

Mary

Minnie

Micky

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the occupation of Sam "Frenchie" Marx, father of the famous Marx Brothers? Hint

miner

brush salesman

musician

tailor

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which Marx Brother was the oldest? Hint

Gummo

Harpo

Chico

Groucho

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following was NOT the title of a Marx Brothers stage revue? Hint

Fun in Hi Skule

I'll Say She Is

Home Again

The Big Store

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Question 6 of 10

6. An uncle of the Marx Brothers was a comic in his own right, part of a successful team. Who was he? Hint

Stanley Jefferson

Ted Healy

Stan Laurel

Al Shean

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Marx Brothers' career really took off after a glowing revue of their first Broadway effort by a highly regarded theater critic. Who was that critic? Hint

Hedda Hopper

Louella Parsons

Ed Sullivan

Alexander Woollcott

8. In 1920 (or 1921 - sources vary) the Marx Brothers made a silent film featuring Harpo as a detective, Chico as "The Italian", Zeppo as "The Love Interest" and Groucho as "The Villain". What was the name of this lost film? Hint

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

Humour Risk

A Night To Forget

Burglars Go Home

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Question 9 of 10

9. A turning point in the Marx Brothers' career occurred when an audience bolted from their seats, to watch the escapades of a runaway mule in what Texas city? Hint

Nacogdoches

Dallas

Houston

San Antonio

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which Marx Brother titled his autobiography "Groucho And Me"? Hint

Chico

Groucho

Gummo

Harpo

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 19 2024 : Guest 98: 10/10
Apr 12 2024 : Guest 35: 7/10
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 24: 7/10
Mar 31 2024 : EA901: 6/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 31: 8/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 108: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How many Marx Brothers were members of the act at one time or another?

Answer: 5

Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo (in order of their most common billing). Gummo left to fight in WWI, and Zeppo retired from the group after five movies. A sixth Brother, Manfred, died in infancy.

2. Their mother was a driving force in the success of the Marx Brothers. What was her first name?

Answer: Minnie

The Broadway musical "Minnie's Boys" tells the story of the Brothers' early years in show business.

3. What was the occupation of Sam "Frenchie" Marx, father of the famous Marx Brothers?

Answer: tailor

He was a tailor - "and a pretty bad one, too" according to Groucho. By the way, Frenchie makes a cameo appearance in the Brothers' classic film "Monkey Business" (1935) as a spectator watching their ship depart from the dock.

4. Which Marx Brother was the oldest?

Answer: Chico

Born March 22, 1887, Leonard Marx was given the nickname "Chico" (properly pronounced "Chick-o") because of his success with the ladies.

5. Which of the following was NOT the title of a Marx Brothers stage revue?

Answer: The Big Store

"The Big Store" was one of their later movies, although the Brothers did perform an act called "On The Balcony" (re-titled "On The Mezzanine" in England) during their Vaudeville days - it was set in a department store.

6. An uncle of the Marx Brothers was a comic in his own right, part of a successful team. Who was he?

Answer: Al Shean

Uncle Al was half of the successful comedy duo of Gallagher and Shean. They were the inspiration for the movie "The Sunshine Boys", starring Walter Matthau and George Burns.

7. The Marx Brothers' career really took off after a glowing revue of their first Broadway effort by a highly regarded theater critic. Who was that critic?

Answer: Alexander Woollcott

Woollcott was considered an intellectual, and was a member of the famed "Algonquin Round Table". He attended a performance of "I'll Say She Is" in May 1924, when the show he was supposed to see was cancelled, and he was immediately taken with the Brothers' antics - especially Harpo's. His review "legitimized" the Marx Brothers.

Answer: Humour Risk

The Brothers' comedy style didn't translate well to silent film - even with Harpo as the focus. The film was never released; some believe that Groucho himself burned every existing copy.

9. A turning point in the Marx Brothers' career occurred when an audience bolted from their seats, to watch the escapades of a runaway mule in what Texas city?

Answer: Nacogdoches

After the incident, when the audience returned to their seats, the Brothers (understandably upset at the interruption) began to improvise dialogue - "Nacogdoches is full of roaches"; "The Jack-ass is the state flower of Tex-ass", etc. Instead of being insulted, the crowd roared. Stars were born.

10. Which Marx Brother titled his autobiography "Groucho And Me"?

Answer: Groucho

published in 1959, Groucho called his own autobiography "Groucho And Me". Why? Who knows? Why a duck?

Source: Author Fasolt

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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