Hello, I Must Be Going

So here's a terrifying secret about me. I have hoarder tendencies. They are not like the ones you see on TV with mountains of trash and vermin running around. Mine tend to be more organized and digital than that. I hoard music and books.

Growing up, there was always music in our house. My Dad played the guitar and sang in bars. My mom played the record player. I ended up in choir, and my brother in a band, playing the saxophone or trumpet. My love of music has never died. If anything, it keeps developing.

Lately, I have been on a Phil Collins kick; more specifically the album, Hello, I Must Be Going. I think the name of the album caught my attention, and made me think of losing my brother. Listening to the album has given me an entirely different vibe though. The song list is more of an I don't care, it doesn't matter agenda. I'm listening to it, and remembering not to hold on to the pain. 

There is also a book, called Hello I Must Be Going: Groucho and His Friends, by Charlotte Chandler. I downloaded the book onto my kindle, hoping for a good laugh. When I think of Groucho Marx, I think of slapstick comedy and gags. I was expecting jokes and Vaudiville stories and a bunch of light-hearted fun. 

This book has all that, but also a touch of sadness. The author wrote this biography towards the end of Groucho's life, while he has having health issues and suffering from dementia. There is controversy surrounding the book and whether or not he was being exploited during this time, by his girlfriend Erin Fleming. So while funny and informative, it was far less slapstick humor. 

In order to get the cheery humor I had been hoping for, the family and I watched The Marx Brother's movie, A Night at the Opera. I think this is one of their better films, because it has a definitive plot. There is a love story between two opera singers. Chico is the agent for one of the love birds. Groucho's character is a business manager for a wealthy heiress who is investing in an opera house. 

This movie is full of funny scenes. You have the over crowded state room, that is really not much more than a broom closet. There is also the infamous ripping of the contract, because Groucho and Chico can't agree on the content. Add in the heiress who finds nothing funny and the love story and you have a wonderful family movie. 

In my house, you can't watch a Groucho Marx movie without the Groucho glasses and pretzel cigars. I ordered the glasses as a party set from amazon, so that all the kids could have a pair. They aren't exceptionally sturdy, more like a prize from a Cracker Jack box, but they added some extra fun to our night. 

Cam's eyebrows match his hairstyle.

My big kids crack me up.

And of course we had to get the baby bear involved. Isn't she hilarious.

Pretty sure the glasses are bigger than her face. Lots of smiles were had by all. Great way to end the holiday weekend. 

Do you have a favorite Vaudiville actor? How about a favorite Marx Brothers movie? Share your favorites int he comments. And have a good laugh.

Kristie