Minnie Marx order, and a hard bargainer with theatre managements. As a tribute to her, all the brothers' daughters were given names that began with 'M': Chico with Maxine; Harpo with Minnie; and Groucho with Miriam and Melinda. Gummo and Zeppo had no daughters. Marx and some of her sons appear briefly as characters in Glen David Gold's novel "Carter Beats the Devil"; the narrative identifies her as Minnie Palmer, and only gradually offers clues that the struggling vaudeville act traveling with her are the later-famous Marx Brothers. Marx (played by Shelley Winters) was also the main character in the stage musical
The Time of Their Lives onscreen partnership was reportedly due to personal problems and tensions that briefly broke up their act in 1945.) The film is also noted for having a somewhat darker and more serious tone than most films featuring the duo. Abbott learned to drive a car for this film. According to his son, Bud Abbott, Jr., this was the only time in his life he ever drove an automobile. A few weeks into filming, Costello wanted to switch roles with Abbott. He refused to work, but director Charles Barton waited him out. Costello eventually returned to work and said nothing more about