Gummo Marx Gummo Marx Milton "Gummo" Marx (October 23, 1893 – April 21, 1977) was an American vaudevillian performer, actor, comedian and theatrical agent. He was the second youngest of the five Marx Brothers. Born in Manhattan, New York City, he worked with his brothers on the vaudeville circuit, but left acting when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War I (years before his brothers, Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo, began their film careers). Marx was born in Manhattan, New York City, on October 23, 1893. His parents were Sam Marx (called "Frenchie" throughout his life), and his wife,
A Night at the Opera (film) Night at the Opera" but "A Day at the Races". Another idea of Thalberg's was that before filming would commence on an upcoming picture, the Marx Brothers would try out its material on the vaudeville stage, working on comic timing and learning what earned a laugh and what did not. He was keen to plant gags accordingly so the laughs could be timed correctly. The famous "stateroom" scene was nearly eliminated because it was not getting any laughs. One evening the Marx Brothers threw away the script and ad-libbed the whole thing. As a result, a weak scene was transformed