#Captain Zeppos

[spyskrapbook]

“Captain Zeppos | Kapitein Zeppos”, Vleminckveld 78, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium _ Photos by Spyros Kaprinis [07.05.2023].

“ ‘De Zeppos’, as it is called in the vernacular of Antwerp, is located on the Mechelseplein and is the ideal haven for shoppers, sunbathers and no-nonsense food lovers. It was named after the well-known series; a hero to us all.”

https://cafezeppos.be/

“Captain Zeppos [Dutch: Kapitein Zeppos] was a Belgian children's television series, which aired in 1964 and 1968. It was based on a script by Lode De Groof. In all, the BRT made three series with a Flemish actor, Senne Rouffaer, in the title role.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Zeppos

https://www.dekoninck.be/en/beers/bolleke

[sisterpaxton]

harpo marx would survive a saw trap. any trap. i dont even think hed realize he was in it he would just have fun. itd be enrichment to him

[countesspetofi]

My high school drama teacher used to whistle this song when he walked into a room.

The Marx Brothers in Animal Crackers (1930) Paramount Pictures Dir. Victor Heerman

Groucho Marx as Captain Spaulding

[becomingbuffypodcast]

S5. Ep3. The Replacement

Continuing the season’s theme of duality, “The Replacement” is the first Xander-centric episode since season 3’s, “The Zeppo.” Loosely based off the Star Trek episode, “The Enemy Within,” in which Captain Kirk is split into his good and evil halves, the twist of “The Replacement” is that neither part of Xander is inherently good nor bad.

According to Whedon, the premise of the episode is the question of whether Xander is, the “awkward nerd with a wise cracking kind of charm", or the "hot-headed... fiery stud who's not afraid to speak his mind..." Turns out, both sides are Xander, and both are necessary.

From the very beginning of the show, Xander has wrestled with his role within the Scooby gang, as he does not fit the traditionally masculine mold. Between this and his lack of supernatural powers, he has often felt like the weak link--feeling left behind as everyone moves on in life. While this episode continues to deal with Xander’s perception of his inadequacy, it is shown to also encompass his adult life, and not just his friendships. One of the bi-products of this expansion is the chance to delve a bit into Anya’s own fears and desires—adding depth to a character we’ve been watching for over a season and giving us one of the first meaningful conversations between her and Xander.

Love him or hate him, the show has done a wonderful job of remaining consistent in its characterization of Xander, while also showing bits of growth and maturity. We all agreed that this was one of the more enjoyable Xander episodes, as it was refreshing to see an inward struggle that most people can relate to, and not just a reflection of Joss’ own issues.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter - Monday, September 18

XANDER: (slightly nervous) So, a burrito. OZ: This is a burrito. XANDER: Damn straight.

~~Gingerbread~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Zeppo with the most Challenge (Beetlejuice crossover, not rated) by Dragonninja20

everything in the world changes, and nothing changes at all (Spike/Buffy, R) by disco-tea

[Chaptered Fiction]

Because I could not stop death Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Desicat

I remember who you are Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Desicat

Bound Chapter 50 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by RavenLove12

California Sun Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by To Be Hers

A Place in the Sun Chapter 29 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by honeygirl51885

The Art of Dying Chapter 25 (Buffy/Spike, R) by disco-tea

What the Drabble? Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, R) by VeroNyxK84

Buffy 2.0 Chapter 15 (Gen, FR18) by BlueZeroZeroOne

Chasing Midnight Chapter 1 (Gen, T) by Harley_Writes

When the Past Meets the Present Chapter 1 (Spike/Giles, E) by Bitter_Rabbit

Third Time's the Charm Chapter 3 (Buffy/Giles, T) by Bitter_Rabbit

better than revenge Chapter 1 (Angel/Jenny, T) by The_Eclectic_Bookworm

[Image, Audio & Video]

PODCAST: Hell’s Bells S6 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast) by lisalilly

[Reviews]

The Buffy Re-watch: S2E17 (part 1) by jvstheworld

[Fandom Discussions]

Willow was wrong for doing the forgetting spell on Tara, but... by aphony-cree

Notes from my rewatch so far by mothmans-wedding-photographer

Spike has me in an absolute chokehold by spicy-talaxian

The most Spike-coded thing about me by kingbuffy

James Marsters appreciation by fastasyoucan1999

I’ve been watching Season 5 of Angel by captain-ghost

Robin had the right to kill Spike by cannibalsaint

Xander should have realized he was a furry after the hyena episode by betwixtify

Have you thought about anyiles because I have Thought About Anyiles by thepunkmuppet

They put that damn praying mantis episode so early by the-chosen-half-of-one

so sad we don’t have happy interactions between tara and oz by missjessefantastico

Why Giles wants Spike dead continued by multiple posters

Is Spike the most "human" vampire? continued by multiple posters

What's wrong with Robin Wood? continued by multiple posters

Your Favourite continued by multiple posters

Discussion of 5.18 "Intervention" - Aired 4/24/01 (WB-US) by Buffy Summers

Buffy going to Spike’s crypt after AR by ICE

What, in your opinion, is the most ‘child-friendly’ episode by Arge101

What major moment from the show did you know was coming long before it happened? by InfiniteMehdiLove

Underrated quotes….go! by Ok-Cheesecake-8626

Vampires smoking? by Boring_Fortune9322

Spike by Boring_Fortune9322

Buffy politics by Boring_Fortune9322

Got a dirty question... by Boring_Fortune9322

Vampire power by Boring_Fortune9322

Is there an in-universe reason for vamp Willow and vamp Xander to look the same age by Waarm

I Would have liked to see Vampire Willow interact with former friends by The810kid

The First as Glory by DifficultRice7075

Nevermind Spuffy, Spike’s healthiest relationship with a woman was... by plastic_venus

The way Darla gagged Lindsey by mere_downside

tell me you're a BTVS fan without telling me you're a BTVS fan by moonwalker4lyfe

When he was younger, what kind of music did Giles listen to, or play? by ErrForceOnes

Why didn't these two date? by ShadowdogProd

What are the biggest differences between BTVS and ATS to you? by Guilty-Indication-67

What does a soul do exactly? by RafRide

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[cargoshiptrip]

Saturday 5 October

Day 9

06:00 was our arrival time back in Antwerp. But they were correct when they said “it’s not guaranteed, anything could happen”.

Buts it’s to our advantage. Rather than sail up the estuary to Antwerp in the dark, we’ll be on deck. 4 final hours to watch the little known world of cargo shipping, close up in daylight

And 2 extra meals.

We’ve taken on Pilots to assist with the journey up the estuary. He notices us as not part of the crew.. “oh Captain Zeppos has got got some passengers on board!” Captain Zeppos is the travel agent who arranged this trip for the Belgian passengers!

[lost-and-found-in-greece]

Milos • Captain Zeppos Boutique Suites

via instagram

[pecanpralines]

Marx bunions

Yesterday, I caught up on my Bunion Blogging and couldn't decide on something to watch. I finally decided on the black and white comedy: Animal Crackers (1930) staring the famous Marx Brothers. As a fan of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton I thought I'd explore the comedy of Marx brothers'. I found myself more bothered than amused...

Please note: I am an educator that believes in equitable education as a tool for social justice. I understand that there are various forms of oppression prevalent in society and we need systemic change to address the various injustices that marginalized communities suffer.This is my worldview and my lens through which I perceived this film and now write this review.

The plot is set with a newspaper clipping announcing that socialite, Mrs. Rittenhouse will host a party for famous explorer, Captain Spaulding (Groucho Marx) who has returned from an expedition in Africa.The party will also serve to a new painting acquired by art collector, Roscoe W. Chandler.

Captain Spaulidings' entrance to the party was the first in a sequence of scenes that set the tone for all of the problems that I perceived in this film.

Capt. Spauling enters in a palanquin astride the shoulders of 4 black men -assumed to be native Africans because they are -dressed in loincloths and grass skirts. The captain dismounts and asks how much is his bill for the ride from Africa. When the 'African' says: $1.85, Capt. Spauling is outraged and the Palanquin bearers leave without getting paid. If the unpaid labor of Black people and the demeaning depiction wasn't enough to outrage you- just wait- there's more.

⚠️ *Trigger Warning* (descriptions of gun violence)

The shenanigans ensue with Signor Emanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx) and his partner the Professor (Harpo Marx). They have been hired to provide music entertainment for the party. Upon entering the scene, the Professor alarms the guests by firing off Capt. Spaulding's rifles. With a crazed look in his eyes, Harpo continues to shoot at the guests and fleeing staff.

If you aren't familiar with the Marx brothers, each brother has a particular role or depicts a clown stereotype. To elaborate:

Harpo Marx never speaks in performances because he portrays the archetypal Vaudeville role of the "dunce who couldn't speak."

Groucho Marx is the witty fast-talker in a grease-paint mustache

Chico Marx's schtick is being a dialect comedian where he imitates an Italian accent to get his laughs.

Zeppo Marx is the youngest of the Marx brothers and plays the straight man with scant comedic reputation and more often a substitute for his more famous brothers.

In 2024, where mass shootings are a regular occurrence, where teachers and students undergo active shooter drills this was a terrifying scene. The gun was fake and no one was depicted dying, only pantomimed a nip in the bottom. However, this was not a child friendly scene - nor teenager, or adult friendly for that matter. This movie did not age well. I think it's important to archieve it as a historical record of the Arts and Entertainment nearly 100 years ago but I'm going to email Amazon Prime to remove it or at least add a trigger warning to the video description.

I didn't even get to finish this 93 minute film; I stopped at the 40 minute mark after the depiction of violence against women which I will describe below:

The final last straw was the humorous depictions of violence and consistent harassment of the women in the film. The Professor (Harpo) regularly chases women throughout the movie. He chases one into the card room where Signor Emanuel Ravelli (Chico) is waiting. The two men decide they'd like to play a card game. When Mrs. Rittenhouse and another women enter the card room, the Professor begins tricking the women to hold the inside of his leg. The scene transforms into a mock boxing match Mrs. Rittenhouse and the Professor (Harpo). Mrs. Rittenhouse is depicted jumping up in the air seemingly by the force of the punches which the Professor (Harpo) lands in her abdomen.

Rated 1/ 5 bunions would not recommend for your view pleasure nor your bunion recovery.

-Pecan

[captain-harpo]

"I dont like Zeppo he's boring" 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

[incorrect-oldstar-quotes]

[wickedbettie]

This is pretty awesome I watch this last night and Groucho Marx played a character named Captain Spaulding and I immediately thought of House of 1000 Corpses and looked it up to see if that’s where Rob Zombie got the name and it was. I saw that Rob Zombie is a huge fan

[nerfherdingteleporter]

Konsearring, not to be too forward, but this answer is so complete and in-depth that I feel like the only possible thanks I can give is to forge a sword for you and also propose

Thank you, @nerfherdingteleporter bc I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO TALK ABOUT THIS (and by waiting I mean I made a TikTok about this a few months ago but no one really paid it any attention). For context, in issue #100 of Robin, Tim mentions owning a box set of Buffy. So why does Tim this break continuity rules/universe rules?

1) Buffy already has a DC comics counterpart: Wendy the Werewolf Stalker complete with its own version of the characters as well as the spinoff show and the actors/writers of the show, so it would be weird for there to be two identical shows with identical casts that only changed the main monster with Buffy’s vampires being werewolves

2) (and more importantly imo) Buffy fails The Zeppo Test and therefore can not exist as a show within the DC universe.

So what is The Zeppo Test? Basically it’s a little test I created to decide if one media could exist in another as it exists in our world. I.e. Star Wars being referenced in Buffy makes sense because it’s a movie and nothing within Star Wars would impact the plot of Buffy because Buffy does not exist in the SW universe and therefore the lore that exists within Buffy doesn’t exist in SW. (idk if this makes sense, but just trust me).

The reason why Buffy can not exist within the DC universe is simple, it exposes lore that exists in the DC universe that the public should not know. For example in the season 3 episode The Zeppo, the big running joke is that one of the characters is the Jimmy Olsen of the group, this on its own is fine. Jimmy Olsen is a public figure and it is well known that he is associated with two big reporters Lois Lane and Clark Kent, and if that was where the reference ended, that would be fine. The line is “But, gee, Mr. White, if Clark and Lois get all the good stories, I'll *never* be a good reporter.” While maybe it would be weird to reference a random photographer, it’s not universe breaking. This episode passes The Zeppo Test, but other episodes such as Never Kill a Boy on the First Day cross the line with lines such as “This is the 90's. The 1990's, in point of fact, and I can do both. Clark Kent has a job. I just wanna go on a date.” This reference would not make sense without the knowledge that Clark Kent is Superman and this knowledge is not something that could air to the public within the DC universe (at least in the 90’s) because it wasn’t known, making a reference like this impossible to exist. The show is rife with references to superheroes (particularly Superman) which means that its existence in its current state would absolutely break continuity since you’d have people in 1998 saying on national television that Clark Kent is Superman.

I’m very aware that this is all very silly and not at all important and I also know this probably is pretty incoherent but yeah this is my answer.

[claudiosuenaga]

Hello, I must be going... Hooray for Captain Spaulding (legendado)

"Hooray for Captain Spaulding" foi composta por Bert Kalmar (1884-1947) e Harry Ruby (1895-1974) originalmente para o musical Animal Crackers (Os Galhofeiros) dos Irmãos Marx na Broadway (1928), adaptado para a versão cinematográfica em 1930 dirigido por Victor Heerman, com roteiro de Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, George S. Kaufman e Morrie Ryskind. Mais tarde, tornou-se conhecida como a música tema do programa de televisão de Groucho Marx, You Bet Your Life (1950-1961), e tornou-se a música de assinatura registrada de Groucho, normalmente tocada quando ele era apresentado em vários talk shows e similares. O famoso explorador Capitão Geoffrey (ou Jeffrey) T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx) acaba de retornar da África. Durante uma festa da alta sociedade em sua homenagem na propriedade da milionária e patrona Sra. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont), o caos se desata depois que uma valiosa pintura desaparece, e Spaulding, junto com seus aliados malucos, o Professor (Harpo), Signore Emanuel Ravelli (Chico) e Horatio (Zeppo), "ajuda" a encontrá-la. Repleto de esquetes cômicos, números musicais e muitas piadas, Animal Crackers é frequentemente considerado o filme mais citado dos Irmãos Marx por seu diálogo espirituoso e inesquecível. Lillian Roth (1910-1980), despontando na carreira no papel de Arabella Rittenhouse, a filha da Sra. Rittenhouse, nos brinda com sua beleza. A música é uma série de piadas rimadas, mas termina com um refrão alto e repetido que abafa as tentativas do capitão de falar: Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African explorer. He brought his name undying fame And that is why we say, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. Viva o capitão Spaulding O explorador africano. Ele trouxe ao seu nome a fama eterna. E é por isso que dizemos, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. HOORAY FOR CAPTAIN SPAULDING From the film "Animal Crackers" (1936) (Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby) Groucho Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont & Chorus (All) At last we are to meet him, The famous Captain Spaulding. From climates hot and scalding, The Captain has arrived. Most heartily we'll greet him, With plain and fancy cheering. Until he's hard of hearing. The Captain has arrived. At last - The Captain has arrived. (Hives) Mr. Horatio W. Jamison, Field Secretary to Captain Spaulding. (Jamison) I represent the Captain who insists on my informing you of these conditions under which he camps here. In one thing he is very strict, he wants his women young and picked and as for men, he won't have any tramps here. (All) As for men he won't have any tramps here, There must be no tramps. (Jamison) The men must all be very old, The women warm, the champagne cold. It's under these conditions that he camps here. (Voice off Screen) I'm announcing Captain Jeffery Spaulding. (All) He's announcing Captain Jeffery Spaulding, Oh dear, he is coming, At last he's here. (Spaulding) Hello, I must be going, I cannot stay, I came to say, I must be going. I'm glad I came, but just the same I must be going. La La. (Mrs. Rittenhouse) For my sake you must stay. If you should go away, You'd spoil this party I am throwing. (Spaulding) I'll stay a week or two, I'll stay the summer thru, But I am telling you, I must be going. (All) Before you go, Will you oblige us, And tell us of your deeds so glowing? (Spaulding) I'll do anything you say, In fact I'll even stay! (All) Good! (Spaulding) But I must be going. (Jamison) There's something that I'd like to say, That he's too modest to relay. The Captain is a moral man. Sometimes he finds it trying. (Spaulding) This fact I emphasize with stress, I never take a drink unless - Somebody's buying. (All) The Captain is a very moral man. (Jamison) If he hears anything obscene, He'll naturally repel it. (Spaulding) I hate a dirty joke I do, Unless it's told by someone who - Knows how to tell it. (All) The Captain is a very moral man. Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African explorer. (Spaulding) Did someone call me Shnorrer? (All) Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. (Jamison) He went into

the jungle where all the monkeys throw nuts. (Spaulding) If I stay here I'll go nuts. (All) Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. He put all his reliance, In courage and defiance, And risked his life for science. (Spaulding) Hey, hey. (Mrs. Rittenhouse) You are the only white man to cover every acre. (Spaulding) I think I'll try and make her. (All) Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. He put all his reliance, In courage and defiance, And risked his life for science. (Spaulding) Hey, hey. (All) Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African explorer. He brought his name undying fame And that is why we say, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. (Spaulding attempts to speak) My friends, I am highly gratified at this magnificent display of effusion and I want you to know......... (All) Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African explorer. He brought his name undying fame And that is why we say, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray. (Spaulding) My friends, I am highly gratified at this magnificent display of effusion and I want you to know......... Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African big hero..... Well, somebody's got to do it!

[jackfrostsander]

Nathan Naenen plays the main role in an upcoming movie (release early next year).

Zeppos: het Mercatorspoor

Nathan plays Benjamin Kurrel, a boy who’s dad is missing. One day he receives a box containing stuff from his dad including an old book written by Mercator (the famous map maker). He gives the book to the girl he has a crush on and somehow he then meets an old man, captain Zeppos, who leads them on an adventure to a mystery island… But an ancient organisation is trying to stop them…

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CW-3IpXDiHn/?utm_medium=copy_link

[classic-laugjhing-hollywood]

Margaret Dumont (October 20, 1882 – March 6, 1965) was an American stage and film actress. She is best remembered as the comic foil to the Marx Brothers in seven of their films. Groucho Marx called her "practically the fifth Marx brother".

Dumont was born Daisy Juliette Baker in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of William and Harriet Anna (née Harvey) Baker. She spent many years of her childhood being raised by her godfather, Joel Chandler Harris at his home, Wren's Nest in Atlanta before returning to New York as a teenager.

Dumont trained as an operatic singer and actress in her teens, and began performing on stage in the U.S. and in Europe, at first under the name Daisy Dumont and later as Margaret (or Marguerite) Dumont. Her theatrical debut was in Sleeping Beauty and the Beast at the Chestnut Theater in Philadelphia, and in August 1902, two months before her 20th birthday, she appeared as a singer/comedian in a vaudeville act in Atlantic City. The dark-haired soubrette, described by a theater reviewer as a "statuesque beauty", attracted notice later that decade for her vocal and comedic talents in The Girl Behind the Counter (1908), The Belle of Brittany (1909) and The Summer Widower (1910).

In 1910, she married millionaire sugar heir and industrialist John Moller Jr. and retired from stage work, although she had a small uncredited role as an aristocrat in a 1917 film adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities. The marriage was childless.

After her husband's sudden death during the 1918 influenza pandemic, Dumont reluctantly returned to the Broadway stage, and soon gained a strong reputation in musical comedies. She never remarried. Her Broadway career included roles in the musical comedies and plays The Fan (1921), Go Easy, Mabel (1922), The Rise of Rosie O'Reilly (1923/24) and The Fourflusher (1925), and she had an uncredited role in the 1923 film Enemies of Women.

In 1925, Dumont came to the attention of theatrical producer Sam H. Harris who recommended her to the Marx Brothers and writer George S. Kaufman for the role of the wealthy dowager Mrs. Potter alongside the Marxes in their Broadway production of The Cocoanuts. In the Marxes' next Broadway show Animal Crackers, which opened in October 1928, Dumont again was cast as foil and straight woman Mrs. Rittenhouse, another rich, society dowager. She appeared with the Marxes in the screen versions of both The Cocoanuts (1929) and Animal Crackers (1930).

With the Marx Brothers, Dumont played wealthy, high-society widows whom Groucho alternately insulted and romanced for their money:

The Cocoanuts (1929) as Mrs. Potter

Animal Crackers (1930) as Mrs. Rittenhouse

Duck Soup (1933) as Mrs. Gloria Teasdale

A Night at the Opera (1935) as Mrs. Claypool

A Day at the Races (1937) as Mrs. Emily Upjohn

At the Circus (1939) as Mrs. Susanna Dukesbury

The Big Store (1941) as Martha Phelps

Her role as the hypochondriacal Mrs. Upjohn in A Day at the Races brought her a Best Supporting Actress Award from the Screen Actors Guild, and film critic Cecilia Ager suggested that a monument be erected in honor of Dumont's courage and steadfastness in the face of the Marx Brothers' antics. Groucho once said that because of their frequent movie appearances, many people believed he and Dumont were married in real life.

An exchange from Duck Soup:

Groucho: I suppose you'll think me a sentimental old fluff, but would you mind giving me a lock of your hair?

Dumont: A lock of my hair? Why, I had no idea you ...

Groucho: I'm letting you off easy. I was gonna ask for the whole wig.

Dumont also endured dialogue about her characters' (and thus her own) stoutish build, as with these lines, also from Duck Soup:

Dumont: I've sponsored your appointment because I feel you are the most able statesman in all Freedonia.

Groucho: Well, that covers a lot of ground. Say, you cover a lot of ground yourself. You'd better beat it; I hear they're going to tear you down and put up an office building where you're standing.

and:

Groucho: Why don't you marry me?

Dumont: Why, marry you?

Groucho: You take me, and I'll take a vacation. I'll need a vacation if we're going to get married. Married! I can see you right now in the kitchen, bending over a hot stove. But I can't see the stove.

Or her age (in their last film pairing, The Big Store):

Dumont: You make me think of my youth.

Groucho: Really? He must be a big boy by now.

Dumont's character would often give a short, startled or confused reaction to these insults, but appeared to forget them quickly.

Decades later, in his one-man show at New York's Carnegie Hall, Groucho mentioned Dumont's name and got a burst of applause. He falsely informed the audience that she rarely understood the humor of their scenes and would ask him, "Why are they laughing, Julie?" ("Julie" being her nickname for Julius, Groucho's birth name). Dumont was so important to the success of the Marx Brothers films, she was one of the few people Groucho mentioned in his short acceptance speech for an honorary Oscar in 1974. (The others were Harpo and Chico, their mother Minnie, and Groucho's companion Erin Fleming. Zeppo and Gummo Marx, who were both alive at the time, were not mentioned, though Jack Lemmon, who introduced Groucho, mentioned all four brothers who appeared with Dumont on film.)

In most of her interviews and press profiles, Dumont preserved the myth of her on-screen character: the wealthy, regal woman who never quite understood the jokes. However, in a 1942 interview with the World Wide Features press syndicate, Dumont said, "Scriptwriters build up to a laugh, but they don't allow any pause for it. That's where I come in. I ad lib—it doesn't matter what I say—just to kill a few seconds so you can enjoy the gag. I have to sense when the big laughs will come and fill in, or the audience will drown out the next gag with its own laughter... I'm not a stooge, I'm a straight lady. There's an art to playing straight. You must build up your man, but never top him, never steal the laughs from him."

For decades, film critics and historians have theorized that because Dumont never broke character or smiled at Groucho's jokes, she did not "get" the Marxes' humor. On the contrary, Dumont, a seasoned stage professional, maintained her "straight" appearance to enhance the Marxes' comedy. In 1965, shortly before Dumont's death, The Hollywood Palace featured a recreation of "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" (from the Marxes' 1930 film Animal Crackers) in which Dumont can be seen laughing at Groucho's ad-libs — proving that she got the jokes.

Writing about Dumont's importance as a comic foil in 1998, film critic Andrew Sarris wrote "Groucho's confrontations with Miss Dumont seem much more the heart of the Marxian matter today than the rather loose rapport among the three brothers themselves."

Dumont's acting style, especially in her early films, reflected the classic theatrical tradition of projecting to the back row (for example, trilling the "r" for emphasis). She had a classical operatic singing voice that screenwriters eagerly used to their advantage.

Dumont appeared in 57 films, including some minor silent work beginning with A Tale of Two Cities (1917). Her first feature was the Marx Brothers' The Cocoanuts (1929), in which she played Mrs. Potter, the role she played in the stage version from which the film was adapted. She also made some television appearances, including a guest-starring role with Estelle Winwood on The Donna Reed Show in the episode "Miss Lovelace Comes to Tea" (1959).

Dumont, usually playing her dignified dowager character, appeared with other film comedians and actors, including Wheeler and Woolsey and George "Spanky" McFarland (Kentucky Kernels, 1934); Joe Penner (Here, Prince 1932, and The Life of the Party 1937); Lupe Vélez (High Flyers, 1937); W.C. Fields (Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, 1941, and Tales of Manhattan 1942); Laurel and Hardy (The Dancing Masters, 1943); Red Skelton (Bathing Beauty, 1944); Danny Kaye (Up in Arms, 1944); Jack Benny (The Horn Blows at Midnight, 1945); George "Gabby" Hayes (Sunset in El Dorado, 1945); Abbott and Costello (Little Giant, 1946); and Tom Poston (Zotz!, 1962).

Turner Classic Movies’ website says of High Flyers: "The surprise... is seeing [Dumont] play a somewhat daffy matron, more Billie Burke than typical Margaret Dumont. As the lady who's into crystal gazing and dotes on her kleptomaniac bull terrier, she brings a discreetly screwball touch to the proceedings."

She also appeared on television with Martin and Lewis in The Colgate Comedy Hour (December 1951).

Dumont played dramatic parts in films including Youth on Parole (1937); Dramatic School (1938); Stop, You're Killing Me (1952); Three for Bedroom C (1952); and Shake, Rattle & Rock! (1956)

Her last film role was that of Shirley MacLaine's mother, Mrs. Foster, in What a Way to Go! (1964).

On February 26, 1965, eight days before her death, Dumont made her final acting appearance on the television program The Hollywood Palace, where she was reunited with Groucho, the week's guest host. They performed material from Captain Spaulding's introductory scene in Animal Crackers, including the song "Hooray for Captain Spaulding". The taped show was broadcast on April 17, 1965.

Dumont married millionaire American Sugar Refining Company heir and industrialist John Moller Jr. in 1910 and retired from stage work. The marriage was childless.

Moeller died during the 1918 influenza pandemic, after which Dumont reluctantly returned to the Broadway stage. She never remarried, and died from a heart attack on March 6, 1965. She was cremated and her ashes were interred in the vault at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles. She was 82, although many obituaries erroneously gave her age as 75.

[the-marx-brothers-will-live-on]

Herbert Manfred "Zeppo" Marx (February 25, 1901 – November 30, 1979) was an American actor, comedian, theatrical agent, and engineer. He was the youngest of the five Marx Brothers and also the last to die. He appeared in the first five Marx Brothers feature films, from 1929 to 1933, but then left the act to start his second career as an engineer and theatrical agent.

Zeppo was born in Manhattan, New York City, on February 25, 1901. His parents were Sam Marx (called "Frenchie" throughout his life), and his wife, Minnie Schönberg Marx. Minnie's brother was Al Shean, who later gained fame as half of the vaudeville team Gallagher and Shean. Marx's family was Jewish. His mother was from East Frisia in Germany; and his father was a native of France, and worked as a tailor.

As with all of the Marx Brothers, different theories exist as to where Zeppo got his stage name: Groucho said in his Carnegie Hall concert in 1972 that the name was derived from the Zeppelin airship. Zeppo's ex-wife Barbara Sinatra repeated this in her 2011 book, Lady Blue Eyes: My Life with Frank. His brother Harpo offered a different account in his 1961 autobiography, Harpo Speaks!, claiming (p. 130) that there was a popular trained chimpanzee named Mr. Zippo, and that "Herbie" was tagged with the name "Zippo" because he liked to do chinups and acrobatics, as the chimp did in its act. The youngest brother objected to this nickname, and it was altered to "Zeppo". Another version of this story was that his name was changed to "Zeppo" in honor of the then popular "Zepplin". In a much later TV interview, Zeppo said that Zep is Italian-American slang for baby and as Zeppo was the youngest or baby Marx Brother, he was called Zeppo (BBC Archives).

Zeppo replaced brother Gummo in the Marx Brothers' stage act when the latter joined the army in 1918. Zeppo remained with the team and appeared in their successes in vaudeville, on Broadway, and the first five Marx Brothers films, as a straight man and romantic lead, before leaving the team. He also made a solo appearance in the Adolphe Menjou comedy A Kiss in the Dark, as Herbert Marx. It was described in newspaper reviews as a minor role.

In Lady Blue Eyes, Barbara Sinatra, Zeppo's second wife, reported that Zeppo was considered too young to perform with his brothers, and when Gummo joined the Army, Zeppo was asked to join the act as a last-minute stand-in at a show in Texas. Zeppo was supposed to go out that night with a Jewish friend of his. They were supposed to take out two Irish girls, but Zeppo had to cancel to board the train to Texas. His friend went ahead and went on the date, and was shot a few hours later when he was attacked by an Irish gang that disapproved of a Jew dating an Irish girl.

As the youngest and having grown up watching his brothers, Zeppo could fill in for and imitate any of the others when illness kept them from performing. Groucho suffered from appendicitis during the Broadway run of Animal Crackers and Zeppo filled in for him as Captain Spaulding.

"He was so good as Captain Spaulding in Animal Crackers that I would have let him play the part indefinitely, if they had allowed me to smoke in the audience", Groucho recalled. However, a comic persona of his own that could stand up against those of his brothers did not emerge. As critic Percy Hammond wrote, sympathetically, in 1928:

One of the handicaps to the thorough enjoyment of the Marx Brothers in their merry escapades is the plight of poor Zeppo Marx. While Groucho, Harpo, and Chico are hogging the show, as the phrase has it, their brother hides in an insignificant role, peeping out now and then to listen to plaudits in which he has no share.

Though Zeppo continued to play it straight in the Brothers' movies for Paramount Pictures, he occasionally got to be part of classic comedy moments in them—in particular, his role in the famous dictation scene with Groucho in Animal Crackers (1930). He also played a pivotal role as the love interest of Ruth Hall's character in Monkey Business (1931) and of Thelma Todd's in Horse Feathers (1932).

The popular assumption that Zeppo's character was superfluous was fueled in part by Groucho. According to Groucho's own story, when the group became the Three Marx Brothers, the studio wanted to trim their collective salary, and Groucho replied, "We're twice as funny without Zeppo!"

Zeppo had great mechanical skills and was largely responsible for keeping the Marx family car running. He later owned a company that machined parts for the war effort during World War II, Marman Products Co. of Inglewood, California, later acquired by the Aeroquip Company. This company produced a motorcycle, called the Marman Twin, and the Marman clamps used to hold the "Fat Man" atomic bomb inside the B-29 bomber Bockscar.[citation needed] He invented and obtained several patents for a wristwatch that monitored the pulse rate of cardiac patients and gave off an alarm if the heartbeat became irregular, and a therapeutic pad for delivering moist heat to a patient.

He also founded a large theatrical agency with his brother Gummo. During his time as a theatrical agent, Zeppo and Gummo, primarily Gummo, represented their brothers, among many others.

On April 12, 1927, Zeppo married Marion Bimberg Benda.[15] The couple adopted two children, Timothy and Thomas, in 1944 and 1945, and later divorced on May 12, 1954. On September 18, 1959, Marx married Barbara Blakeley, whose son, Bobby Oliver, he wanted to adopt and give his surname, but Bobby's father would not allow it. Bobby simply started using the last name "Marx".

Blakeley wrote in her book, Lady Blue Eyes, that Zeppo never made her convert to Judaism. Blakeley was of Methodist faith and said that Zeppo told her she became Jewish by "injection".

Blakeley also wrote in her book that Zeppo wanted to keep her son out of the picture, adding a room for him onto his estate, which was more of a guest house, as it was separated from the main residence. It was also decided that Blakeley's son would go to military school, which according to Blakeley, pleased Zeppo.

Zeppo owned a house on Halper Lake Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, which was built off the fairway of the Tamarisk Country Club. The Tamarisk Club had been set up by the Jewish community, which rivaled the gentile club called The Thunderbird. His neighbor happened to be Frank Sinatra. Zeppo later attended the Hillcrest Country Club with friends such as Sinatra, George Burns, Jack Benny, Danny Kaye, Sid Caesar, and Milton Berle.

Blakeley became involved with the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and had arranged to show Spartacus (featuring Kirk Douglas) for charity, selling tickets, and organizing a postscreening ball. At the last minute, Blakeley was told she could not have the film, so Zeppo went to the country club and spoke to Sinatra, who agreed to let him have an early release of a film he had just finished named Come Blow Your Horn. Sinatra also flew everyone involved to Palm Springs for the event.

Zeppo was a very jealous and possessive husband, and hated for Blakeley to talk to other men. Blakeley claimed that Zeppo grabbed Victor Rothschild by the throat at a country club because she was talking to him. Blakeley had caught Zeppo on many occasions with other women; the biggest incident was a party Zeppo had thrown on his yacht. After the incident, Zeppo took Blakeley to Europe, and accepted more invitations to parties when they arrived back in the States. Some of these parties were at Sinatra's compound; he often invited Blakeley and Zeppo to his house two or three times a week. Sinatra would also send champagne or wine to their home, as a nice gesture.

Blakeley and Sinatra began a love affair, unbeknownst to Zeppo. The press eventually got wind of the affair, snapping photos of Blakely and Sinatra together, or asking Blakeley questions whenever they spotted her. Both Sinatra and she denied the affair.

Zeppo and Blakeley divorced in 1973. Zeppo let Blakeley keep the 1969 Jaguar he had bought her, and agreed to pay her $1,500 (equivalent to $8,600 in 2019) per month for 10 years. Sinatra upgraded Blakeley's Jaguar to the latest model. Sinatra also gave her a house to live in. The house had belonged to Eden Hartford, Groucho Marx's third wife. Blakeley and Sinatra continued to date, and were constantly hounded by the press until the divorce between Zeppo and Blakeley became final. Blakeley and Sinatra were married in 1976.

Zeppo became ill with cancer in 1978. He sold his home, and moved to a house on the fairway off Frank Sinatra Drive. The doctors thought the cancer had gone into remission, but it returned. Zeppo called Blakeley, who accompanied him to doctor's appointments. Zeppo spent his last days with Blakeley's family.

The last surviving Marx Brother, Zeppo died of lung cancer at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage on November 30, 1979, at the age of 78. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.

In his will, Zeppo left Bobby Marx a few possessions and enough money to finish law school. Both Sinatra and Blakeley attended his funeral.