Raised Eyebrows, Expanded Edition

My Years Inside Groucho’s House

By: Steve Stoliar

Narrated by: Steve Stoliar

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.

Raised Eyebrows is filled with never-before-heard anecdotes.

©2013 Audio Cinema Entertainment, Inc. and BearManor Media (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

An Important Piece of Entertainment History!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As an Audiobook - this is a gem. S. Stoliar is an accomplished voice-over artist. I heard him on G. Godfried's podcast and knew that to hear his reading of his book would be fun. It's more than fun. At times it transcends you to be a fly on the wall during some of the events. Stoliar is imitating the voices he actually heard from the people. It is. Stolliar is able to effectively able to mimic the famous people quoted in his book. He's even able to mimic Groucho's voice at different ages - making it sound appropriate for Groucho at the time he's quoted. If you at all like the Marx Bros - listening to this is a must. Stoliar makes it into a true joy!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was sympatheic to Erin. When I heard SS on GG podcast - he made Erin sound like "a villain". And I understand that given the short form of that show - it was a synopsis. Erin was an obviously troubled person - who gave SS many great opportunities - and treated him well. If it wasn't for Erin - Stoliar wouldn't have gotten the job with Groucho, wouldn't have become part of the house-staff, etc. So, Stoliar owes a great deal to her kindness. Sadly, she's a complex, sad character, whose demons eventually take their toll on others, including Groucho; and upon herself.

Which character – as performed by Steve Stoliar – was your favorite?

Certainly, Groucho. I appreciate Stoliar's great voice-over/characterization abilities. He's able to make a 30 year old Groucho sound 30, and an 84 year old Groucho sound 84.This is the kind of book that makes me so happy to have Audible. Reading this book would have been fun - but listening to Stoliar "perform" his book - makes this a true joy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - it's like a great documentary - with first hand accounts of the waning years of Groucho's life - with flashbacks to earlier times in the Marx Bros/Groucho's history.

Any additional comments?

This is an important piece of Entertainment History. Stolair had FIRST PERSON access to Groucho for an extended period of time - becoming part of the story in the final years of Groucho's life - but also getting to hear repeated retellings of Groucho's life from Groucho, and also others around him. Usually biographies are interviews with people, who knew people, who knew the subject of the book - or based on other printed material.Here - Stoliar lived the story, and had extended access to the subject, and to those who knew the subject (Groucho). And even for the stories Groucho told, Stoliar was able to hear concurring or correcting input from others who knew Groucho for many years.As an Audio book - this becomes an invaluable source for those who want to know more about the Marx Bros., Vaudville, and early Hollywood. Both the Book and Audiobook need to be in the Library of Congress - for posterity.

great bit of Marxiana, your knowledge of the Marx

brothers in general or Groucho in particular is incomplete without this. Great job by Stoliar.

Long live Graucho my favorite comedian!

Nice work Steve. I fully enjoyed your novel. Erin did help Graucho but her psychological ailment led to her demise, sadly for her and Graucho Marx. Thank you Steve.

Awesomeness!!

This was a GREAT listen!! If you’re a Groucho Marx fan it’s a must listen! Steve your narration was fantastic and the voices were spot on!!

Raised eyebrows

I grew up a Marx brothers fan. I was also a fan of you bet your life. I loved the audio version of this book. I loved Groucho marx’s quick wit and loved his dick Cavett show appearances. This book details Groucho marx’s last years with great kindness. It was well written by an obvious Groucho fan. I heard about this book on a tv podcast interview. I highly recommend this book. Thank you mr Stoliar.

Just Amazing!!!!

I loved every minute of this book. I cant wait to read it again and again.

I love Groucho even more now!

This book was absolutely wonderful. The story is sad, but Steve's love and insight make this book such an amazing thing. THE BEST PART IS STEVE READING GROUCHO AND DICK CAVET QUOTES AND NOTES IN A SPOT ON IMPRESSION. This is one of my favorite audio books ever.

Fantastic!

This is a well written and captivating book about Groucho's declining years, filled with humor, pathos and the story of the increasing insanity of Erin Flemming and her abuse of Groucho.

Steve Stoliar narrates his own book, and that's part of what makes the audio version so good. Steve imitates everyone he quotes. He sounds more like Groucho than Groucho did! One of the best audiobook performances I've heard.

Wonderful!!

I loved this book!! It’s well written and the narration is great. I was sorry to have it end.

Brilliant performance and a riveting story

Stoliar's performance is extraordinary. I was not surprised to learn that he is a pro voiceover artist for animation. His Groucho is uncanny. And his storytelling is wonderful. It is both hilarious and heartbreaking to live with Groucho the final years of his life through Stoliar's retelling. All the people in the story were brought so fully to life, I am now missing being with them. I am sorry the story ended, in more ways than one. If you have any interest in The Marx Brothers or Hollywood history, and especially if you have a fondness for Groucho, read this book.