Martin Gardner: The Marx Brothers as Social Critics

4,730 views · Published 17 December 2010 · 1:03:44 · Indexed 1 October 2026

Channel: Library of Congress · 2010 · Education

Watch on YouTube

Martin Gardner discusses his new book, which examines historical events, political practices, economic conditions, manners and customs, literary subjects and popular entertainment as satirized in the Marx brothers' films and considers the ways in which the films were relevant in their era and remain so today.

Speaker Biography: Martin A. Gardner has worked in advertising and as a writer for The Village Voice, House Beautiful and Art Business News, among other periodicals. He conducted much of his research for this book at the Library of Congress.

More from this channel

• 27:39 Philippa Gregory - National Book Festival 2008

  Library of Congress

  4,861 views · 14 October 2008

• 32:30 Bob Schieffer - National Book Festival 2008

  Library of Congress

  491 views · 29 January 2009

• 28:17 Jon Scieszka - National Book Festival 2008

  Library of Congress

  3,242 views · 29 January 2009

• 54:12 National Book Festival 2008 - Gala

  Library of Congress

  961 views · 29 January 2009

• 56:58 Vietnam: Will There Be Peace Again?

  Library of Congress

  489 views · 16 March 2009

• 1:08:37 2008 Kluge Prize Ceremony

  Library of Congress

  2,047 views · 16 March 2009

• 1:21:00 From Vienna to Chicago and Back

  Library of Congress

  922 views · 17 March 2009

• 0:53 Fishing Smacks

  Library of Congress

  3,524 views · 26 March 2009