Steve Stoliar

I bought Raised Eyebrows because I'm a Groucho Marx fanatic and I've read just about every book on him and the Marx Brothers. I expected this story, written by a young man who worked as Groucho's secretary for a few years, to be mainly a listing of funny things Groucho... said and superficial recollections of a name-dropping variety. What I did not expect was a detailed and jaw-droppingly revelatory look at the the sad final years of an American icon. Steve Stoliar was a young fan who ended up living in his idol's house and being a help in the last years of someone he deeply admired. I had a similar experience as a young man and despite some similarities (including a woman who used her youth and sexuality as a crowbar for her own advantage), my situation living in the home of a hero of mine ended much more prettily than Groucho's did. Stoliar was there in Groucho's house for the final three years of Groucho's life and was witness to great joys and horrendous difficulties in the comedy legend's life. This is a wonderful book, with invaluable insights into comedy, but more importantly, a shattering tale of old age and the loss of autonomy and dignity that too often accompanies it. This is a wonderful book, and not just for the legion of Groucho Marx fans.… (more)

While not a fan of Groucho (like Harpo and Chico much better) this was a book I could not put down. The author worked in Groucho's house for the last 3 or so years of Groucho's life. By this time, Groucho was declining physically and mentally and under the control of his "companion/manager" Erin Fleming. Essentially, today what Erin did to Groucho would be classified as elder abuse. Besides yelling at him, condemning him for being an "old" man, alienating Groucho from his children, she was obviously mentally ill. The author and others in the household did what they could and some were fired. The author was able to stick things out and ended up being there pretty much to the end. The author weaves his love of Groucho and the Marx Brothers with stories of other writers of their era as well as the guests who came to the house to see Groucho including folks like George Burns, Steve Allen, Jack Lemmon, Carroll O'Connor, etc. It was well written and I couldn't wait to get to it each evening to see how things turned out.… (more)

The book flows--
Moreover, you come away with the sense (if you're as much a Grouchophile as I) of knowing where the author came from in terms of adoration, appreciation, and genuine respect for his employer in the last few years of his life.

In summation, the book not only satiated my curiosity about the inner workings of the life Groucho led after the fame boom, but also made me incredibly envious of Stoliar and the time he spent getting to know one of his and our heroes. A good read.… (more)