Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Marx Brothers

Joliet Bicycle Route

— I&M Canal Passage —

The Marx Brothers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

1. The Marx Brothers Marker

Left panel that talks about the Rialto Theatre

Inscription.

(left panel:)

A people palace

In the 1920s, the six Rubens brothers began plans for the Rialto Theatre. It was to be a "Palace for the people." Joliet was at the peak of its industrial might when the theater opened in 1926. A few years later, during the Great Depression, entertainers here brought smiles to those seeking to escape their economic worries.

(right panel:)

Bad Farmers, great entertainers.

The Marx Brothers, one of the most famous comedy teams of the 20th century, once owned a chicken farm near the I&M Canal. But, according to Groucho, they failed as farmers because they spent too much time watching baseball at Wrigley Field and not enough minding the chickens. In the 1930s, the Marx Brothers performed at the Rialto Theatre.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 41° 31.609′ N, 88° 4.904′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. Marker is at the intersection of North Chicago Street and Clinton Street, on the right when traveling south on North Chicago Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 N Chicago St, Joliet IL 60432, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Auditorium Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Level 3: Charles Reed (within shouting distance of this marker); Level 4: J.D. Paige (within shouting distance of this marker); Level 1: Louis Joliet (within shouting distance of this marker); Level 2: Jacques Marquette (within shouting distance of this marker); Level 5: Frederich Bartleson (within shouting distance of this marker); Murray Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rialto Square Theatre (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.

Also see . . . Marx Brothers on Wikipedia. As the marker says, the Marx Brothers were one of the most famous and influential comedy teams of all-time. Their career stretches throughout the first half of the 20th century, from vaudeville to motion pictures. The brothers that went by stage names (Groucho, Gummo, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo) starred in 13 movies together, including Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera. (Submitted on October 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

2. The Marx Brothers Marker

Right panel, which talks about the Marx Brothers

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

3. The Marx Brothers Marker

With the supplemental Marx Brothers interpretive statues

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

4. The Marx Brothers Marker

Looking south on Chicago Street (Rialto Theatre is in background)

The Marx Brothers image. Click for full size.

Ralph F. Stitt / Public domain, 1931

5. The Marx Brothers

Four of the five Marx Brothers (top to bottom): Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.