Horror and humor are interesting bedfellows. And unlikely a choice as it may be, somehow it makes beautiful sense that Rob Zombie is set to tell the story of comedy legend Groucho Marx on the big screen.
Deadline reports that the rocker-turned horror director Zombie has picked up the rights to Steve Stoliar’s memoir “Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House” which will be the framework of the movie, detailing the turbulent final years of Groucho. Oren Moverman (“Love & Mercy,” “The Messenger,” “Time Out Of Mind”) will write the script, another fascinating twist in what’s sure to be one weird-ass film.
Here’s the book synopsis:
“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.
Groucho Marx and Rob Zombie. There’s some kind of apocalyptic beauty to it, no? Zombie is tasked with representing one of the great comedy minds of all time, and without any casting announcements yet, there’s no telling which way this project is going to go. But we’ll give Rob the benefit of the doubt, and just hope to hell there’s nothing even remotely connected to those atrocious Halloween movies in the process.
Photo: Johnny Firecloud
