Raised Eyebrows, Expanded Edition

My Years Inside Groucho’s House

De: Steve Stoliar

Narrado por: Steve Stoliar

Raised Eyebrows is the bittersweet story of the last years in the life of Groucho Marx, told by a young Marx Brothers fan who was fortunate enough to work for Groucho as his personal secretary and archivist, right inside Marx's Beverly Hills home. In addition to getting to know his hero, the author was able to spend quality time with Zeppo, Gummo, Mae West, George Burns, Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, SJ Perelman, Steve Allen, and scores of other luminaries of stage, screen, TV, and literature.

The downside of this dream-come-true was getting close to his idol as the curtain was coming down, and dealing with Erin Fleming - the mercurial woman in charge of Groucho's personal and professional life.

Raised Eyebrows is filled with never-before-heard anecdotes.

©2013 Audio Cinema Entertainment, Inc. and BearManor Media (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

An Important Piece of Entertainment History!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As an Audiobook - this is a gem. S. Stoliar is an accomplished voice-over artist. I heard him on G. Godfried's podcast and knew that to hear his reading of his book would be fun. It's more than fun. At times it transcends you to be a fly on the wall during some of the events. Stoliar is imitating the voices he actually heard from the people. It is. Stolliar is able to effectively able to mimic the famous people quoted in his book. He's even able to mimic Groucho's voice at different ages - making it sound appropriate for Groucho at the time he's quoted. If you at all like the Marx Bros - listening to this is a must. Stoliar makes it into a true joy!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was sympatheic to Erin. When I heard SS on GG podcast - he made Erin sound like "a villain". And I understand that given the short form of that show - it was a synopsis. Erin was an obviously troubled person - who gave SS many great opportunities - and treated him well. If it wasn't for Erin - Stoliar wouldn't have gotten the job with Groucho, wouldn't have become part of the house-staff, etc. So, Stoliar owes a great deal to her kindness. Sadly, she's a complex, sad character, whose demons eventually take their toll on others, including Groucho; and upon herself.

Which character – as performed by Steve Stoliar – was your favorite?

Certainly, Groucho. I appreciate Stoliar's great voice-over/characterization abilities. He's able to make a 30 year old Groucho sound 30, and an 84 year old Groucho sound 84.This is the kind of book that makes me so happy to have Audible. Reading this book would have been fun - but listening to Stoliar "perform" his book - makes this a true joy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - it's like a great documentary - with first hand accounts of the waning years of Groucho's life - with flashbacks to earlier times in the Marx Bros/Groucho's history.

Any additional comments?

This is an important piece of Entertainment History. Stolair had FIRST PERSON access to Groucho for an extended period of time - becoming part of the story in the final years of Groucho's life - but also getting to hear repeated retellings of Groucho's life from Groucho, and also others around him. Usually biographies are interviews with people, who knew people, who knew the subject of the book - or based on other printed material.Here - Stoliar lived the story, and had extended access to the subject, and to those who knew the subject (Groucho). And even for the stories Groucho told, Stoliar was able to hear concurring or correcting input from others who knew Groucho for many years.As an Audio book - this becomes an invaluable source for those who want to know more about the Marx Bros., Vaudville, and early Hollywood. Both the Book and Audiobook need to be in the Library of Congress - for posterity.

great bit of Marxiana, your knowledge of the Marx

brothers in general or Groucho in particular is incomplete without this. Great job by Stoliar.

Long live Graucho my favorite comedian!

Nice work Steve. I fully enjoyed your novel. Erin did help Graucho but her psychological ailment led to her demise, sadly for her and Graucho Marx. Thank you Steve.

Awesomeness!!

This was a GREAT listen!! If you’re a Groucho Marx fan it’s a must listen! Steve your narration was fantastic and the voices were spot on!!

Raised eyebrows

I grew up a Marx brothers fan. I was also a fan of you bet your life. I loved the audio version of this book. I loved Groucho marx’s quick wit and loved his dick Cavett show appearances. This book details Groucho marx’s last years with great kindness. It was well written by an obvious Groucho fan. I heard about this book on a tv podcast interview. I highly recommend this book. Thank you mr Stoliar.

Just Amazing!!!!

I loved every minute of this book. I cant wait to read it again and again.

Impersonations are a bonus

The reader/author does a pretty darn good impersonation of the characters in the book. It makes the audio book more enjoyable.

Enjoyable and informative recollection of Groucho

I recommend this book to anyone interested in “the good ole days of Hollywood” or curious folk who want to learn what it’s like inside a big Hollywood star’s life. I had no personal recollection of Groucho Marx or his films but feel like I missed someone very special. I wouldn’t hesitate to watch one of their films now- I feel like I know him pretty well from the author’s stories.

There’s some real drama toward the end of his life that rings true no matter what station in life you are. Estranged family members, manipulative persons in your life and just aging and losing your old self and coming to terms with it all.

I think it was really well done, and appreciate the author tried to give the reader a fair and balanced look at events in the life of Groucho Marx. It would have been easier to write a story looking through rose colored glasses considering he had an extraordinary opportunity working for his favorite Hollywood star. Just thinking about being in Steve Stoliar’s shoes makes me smile. Glad I read (listened to) this book.

Great fir Marx brothers fans

This is a must read for Marx brothers fans. One of the best books I listened to this year. Can’t stop thinking about it.

True Light

As readers we don't always find it easy to believe every word that is printed, but in this case you actually feel as if this was a true account. There is literally nothing Steve can gain from enhancing his version of what really to place And yet turn it into an entertaining Piece of time That any groucho fan would appreciate. It's not often that a true fan gets the opportunity to not only meet their hero but yet Become a part of their legacy . Nice job!