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Saturday 14 Dec 2024

Groucho at His Best
dr george pollard

Groucho liked to tell the story of a Hollywood starlet, of the 1930s, who always wore a bracelet on her ankle, an anklet. Engraved on the anklet, says Groucho, were two words, "Heavens Above." "She did quite well," Groucho would add. He claimed to masquerade as a comic, and that he wasn't a satirist., but we all know better.

Click to hear the last performance by Groucho, at Carnegie Hall, in 1972. Dick Cavett (right) introduces Groucho as Groucho should be introduced. Marvin Hamlisch accompanies Groucho. Please be patient with the recording. It's not the best copy, but the satire is effective, often appearing when least expected. For a second dose of satire from Groucho click here. It's an especially relevant and insightful clip from the Carnegie Hall performance in 1972.

dr george pollard is a Sociometrician and Social Psychologist at Carleton University, in Ottawa, where he currently conducts research and seminars on "Media and Truth," Social Psychology of Pop Culture and Entertainment as well as umbrella repair.

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