Episode 69: Marxfest Memories (featuring Kathy Biehl and Jonny Porkpie)

Written By Noah Diamond

We’re a little late with this episode, because at least one of us spent the month of May (as well as several of the preceding months, if memory serves) deeply immersed in the epic undertaking that was Marxfest! New York City’s Marx Brothers festival took place over two spectacular weekends in May, organized around the 100th anniversary of the Broadway opening of I’ll Say She Is and featuring a dazzling array of Marx Brothers talks, tours, screenings, performances, and more, with headliners including Robert Klein, Gabe Kaplan, Adam Gopnik, J. Hoberman, Andy Marx, Frank Ferrante, Les Marsden, Robert S. Bader, Paul G. Wesolowski, John Tefteller, and we could go on and on, but why don’t you just listen to the episode?

Still not convinced? The splendors in store include several exclusive and semi-exclusive audio clips from Marxfest events, which will help convey a sense of the festival to those who missed it (and to those who were there and miss it now) — including three of the hardly-ever-heard-before 1930s Marx Brothers radio clips played by John Tefteller at his sensational Marxfest event on May 17 (and to be included in his upcoming book and audio release). So this episode of The Marx Brothers Council Podcast features Groucho and Chico Marx doing material you’ve probably never heard before. (Thank you, John, for this and so much more.)

And for another thing, to help tell the story of Marxfest 2024 we’ve got two great guests who know what they’re talking about. Kathy Biehl is an author, performer, and astrologer whose Marxian credits include playing the role of Ruby in the revival of I’ll Say She Is, and Jonny Porkpie is a star of the New York neo-burlesque scene whose work has paid naked tribute to the Marx Brothers. Both Kathy and Jonny are members of the Marxfest Committee, responsible for producing the festival. (In addition to one of the hosts of this podcast, the rest of the committee consists of Trav S.D. and Brett Leveridge, both recent guests on the podcast; and Kevin Fitzpatrick and Janet Heit, who we’ll have to have on soon.)

It’s a long episode, but then, it was a long festival! It was also a large number of dreams come true.

Later this month, back to what we consider normal around here.

Hideous, stumbling footsteps creaking along the misty corridors of time

Note for Patreon subscribers: This month’s bonus segment will be available next week, on our Patreon page.

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Official description: “An in-depth report on Marxfest 2024 with two of Noah’s co-organizers, Kathy Biehl and Jonny Porkpie. Detailing each event, they share stories of the fans, presenters and performers who made it an unforgettable time. We’ll also share some choice audio clips.

“Along the way you’ll learn the real reason why Groucho didn’t appear on Welcome Back Kotter, and hear Josh Max's McCartneyesque version of the Love Happy theme.

“In addition, we are thrilled to present three exclusive Marx Brothers radio excerpts provided by John Tefteller. These clips, from presumed-lost radio shows, premiered at the fest and will be featured in John’s upcoming release of restored Marx radio appearances, available (hopefully) later this year.”

Note for early birds:  When a new episode is released, it might not appear at all of the locations below right away. If you visit your favorite podcast provider and the previous episode is still the most recent one you see there, be patient! And above all, don't worry.

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Noah Diamond
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Episode 68: Miscellany Business (featuring Trav S.D.)