“Vaudeville and the Marx Brothers” is the theme of the upcoming Freedonia Marxonia, the annual celebration of the connection between the Village of Fredonia and “Freedonia” which was the setting of the 1933 Marx Brothers’ movie “Duck Soup.”
Freedonia Marxonia begins Thursday, Oct. 3. The Marx Brothers were comedic stars of vaudeville, Broadway, movies, radio, and television in the first part of the 20th century. Their 1933 movie “Duck Soup” takes place in the fictional country of "Freedonia." In 1987, Fredonia student Doug Canham spearheaded the creation of Freedonia Marxonia: Marx Brothers Film Festival and Symposium to commemorate the connection.
Also this year, Fredonia's Founders Day will celebrate Fredonia's campus-community relationship by partnering with Freedonia Marxonia. Founders Day was initiated in 2017 to foster student, faculty, and staff appreciation of the rich legacy of the village residents whose vision and significant financial backing helped establish a Normal School in Fredonia in 1867.
The two-day celebration begins with a reception in Reed Library at 3 p.m. with brief opening remarks, the singing of “Hail Freedonia” by members of the Student Opera Theatre Association and Fredonia’s chapter of the American Choral Directors Association; cake in honor of Groucho Marx’s birthday and a group photo of attendees wearing complimentary “Groucho” glasses. The Marx Brothers’ 1930 film, “Animal Crackers,” will be screened at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. In the movie, Groucho plays Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding, returning from exploration in Africa. There is a stolen painting and mayhem ensues with Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo. There will be prizes before the screening. “Animal Crackers” was shown at the opera house at its original release in 1930.
At noon on Friday, Oct. 4, in the Garden at Reed, writer and performer Trav S.D. will talk about his scholarship and expertise in the history of entertainment during a noontime interview. Trav is the author of “No Applause - Just Throw Money: The Book that Made Vaudeville Famous” and “Chain of Fools: Silent Comedy and Its Legacies from Nickelodeons to YouTube.” He was an organizer of Marxfest, the month-long celebration of the Marx Brothers held in New York City in 2014. Pizza will be provided. “Duck Soup” will be screened on Friday at 2 p.m. Immediately following, at 3:15 p.m., Trav will lead a discussion, “Why Wasn’t ‘Duck Soup’ a Hit?” Both activities will be in the Reed Library Classroom.
Trav will present his illustrated lecture, “The Marx Brothers and Vaudeville,” Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. The Marx Brothers started their career in vaudeville. He will talk about vaudeville influences on the brothers and their experiences in vaudeville, before they became Broadway and movie stars.
The 1891 Fredonia Opera House was once a vaudeville theater, where citizens of Fredonia and nearby localities attended performances over a century ago.
Everyone, regardless of age or skill level, is invited to participate in the Freedonia Marxonia art contest. Using any medium (including items found around the house or in nature), creative renditions of one or more of the Marx Brothers are welcome. Artwork can be realistic, stylized, caricatured, etc. It can be drawn, painted, sculpted, constructed, or formed in any original way. Those submitting entries will also be eligible for cash prizes: $100 first prize; $75 second; and $50 third.
Artwork is due by Sept. 30 and can be submitted to Cindy Yochym in Reed Library. Art contest entries will be displayed as part of the Freedonia Marxonia exhibit, which opens Oct. 3 in the library and continues through Oct. 20. A Founders Day display on the main floor of the library will run concurrently with the Freedonia Marxonia exhibit. The collection of primary documents related to the establishment of the Normal School in Fredonia will be curated by Amanda Shepp and Pat Cummings-Witter of Reed Library’s Archives and Special Collections.
All activities are free and open to the public. Freedonia Marxonia is supported by the Hahn Family Freedonia Marxonia Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation. Additional funding has been received through a Faculty Student Association Program grant. Trav's appearance is also supported through the Fredonia College Foundation's Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund.
For more information, see online at fredonia.libguides.com/marxonia or contact Ms. Yochym via email at Cynthia.Yochym@fredonia.edu.
