Paperbacks: The Essential Groucho, edited by Stephen Kanfer

Friday 15 August 2008 00:00 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

This addition to Penguin Modern Classics may be a startling choice but Woody Allen is in favour: "[He] will be equally funny a thousand years from now."

This is certainly the case with Groucho's response to the woman on his TV show who explained her 22 offspring: "Because I love my husband." Groucho: "I love my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth once in a while." The selection ranges from Marxist prose to sublime dialogue from the comedies. Groucho: "That's what they call a sanity clause." Chico: "Ah, you fool wit me. There ain't no Sanity Claus." If that's not a classic, it's hard to know what is.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Paperbacks: The Essential Groucho, edited by Stephen Kanfer

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering