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https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/arts ... -dead.html

I know everyone will be talking HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, but as far as this group is concerned, the last living person to have had a chapter in Leonard Maltin's MOVIE COMEDY TEAMS just passed away (Original edition, Cheech and Chong from the revised version don't count).

Next to last chapter before Rowan and Martin was Noonan and Marshall, whose not-so distinguished starring career as a team consisted of basically two features, THE ROOKIE (1959) and SWINGIN' ALONG (1961). But they had been a team for basically a decade, playing nightclubs, television, and even having small parts in a couple of early-fifties Robert Lippert Features, THE RETURN OF JESSE JAMES (1950) and HOLIDAY RHYTHM (1950). Marshall was also teamed with Tommy Farrell in the mid-50's when Noonan was pursuing a solo career in films, and made television appearances with him as well.

Neither THE ROOKIE nor SWINGIN' ALONG are comedy classics, or even mediocre, but if one wanted to hurry and put out a Blu-Ray set they might be able to get commentary tracks out of their still-surviving leading ladies, Julie Newmar and Barbara Eden respectively.

Of course Marshall will be remembered for hosting THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, playing perfect host and straightman to that show's gallery of funny people. He was also actress Joanne Dru's younger brother, and if you put their pictures side by side, there is indeed a family resemblance.

A good entertainer and a long, happy life. Well Done Peter.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Its been a while since I've seen it, but I believe he and Tommy Noonan make an appearance in the 1951 WB film STARLIFT as soldier/entertainers, playing themselves, if I recall correctly.

As an addendum, Marshall wrote a very entertaining behind the scenes memoir called BACKSTAGE WITH THE ORIGINAL HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. It's well worth seeking out.

William Ferry wrote:Its been a while since I've seen it, but I believe he and Tommy Noonan make an appearance in the 1951 WB film STARLIFT as soldier/entertainers, playing themselves, if I recall correctly.

As an addendum, Marshall wrote a very entertaining behind the scenes memoir called BACKSTAGE WITH THE ORIGINAL HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. It's well worth seeking out.

I remember the week in 1968 or ’69 when Groucho Marx was on HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. He kept cracking jokes and wandering off to visit the ladies in their assigned cubicles. Peter was very good-natured about it but kept pleading, “C’mon, Groucho!” By the third or fourth show Groucho either acquiesced or had worn himself out (Peter: “Who was James Cagney’s leading lady in THE PUBLIC ENEMY?” Groucho: “I think it was Jean Harlow.”). If they still exist (I realize that’s a big “if”) those episodes might be fun - or frustrating - but certainly worth a look.

Groucho was good at causing pandemonium on Game Shows, if you've ever seen his appearance as a panelist on WHAT'S MY LINE around 1963, he does a good job cracking everyone up and keeping John Daly on his toes. I think anyone booking him as a game show had to pretty much realize he would liven things up.

Though he would be a bit straighter on panel shows like INFORMATION PLEASE or THE LAST WORD, where he would show that he was a well-read, intelligent man, who could still sneak in a one-liner even on those shows.

Then there's his appearance on CELEBRITY BILLIARDS, where he shows what he learned in New York Pool Rooms as a kid by beating the pants of Minnesota Fats.

RICHARD M ROBERTS