The Incredible Jewel Robbery
Encyclopedia
The Incredible Jewel Robbery was an episode of General Electric Theater
, broadcast by CBS
on March 8, 1959. It was the first appearance of all three Marx Brothers
together (minus the retired Zeppo) in the same scene since A Night in Casablanca
in 1946, although they had appeared in individual scenes in The Story of Mankind
in 1957, and in pairs in Love Happy
in 1949 (Chico and Harpo appear together; Groucho is in one brief shot with Harpo in the chase scene, and Chico is in a cutaway shot in the wrap-up in Groucho's office). Jewel Robbery would prove to be their last joint TV appearance.
Harpo and Chico play Harry and Nick, two inept would-be robbers who try to pull a jewelry heist. Chico is disguised in a police uniform, and Harpo wears, of all things, a Groucho Marx disguise. When they are caught and placed in a police lineup, the real Groucho shows up inexplicably and is immediately fingered as the thief. Groucho then delivers the only line in the otherwise silent program: "We won't talk until we see our lawyer!" Everybody gives each other their leg, and the You Bet Your Life
duck drops down with "The End" in its beak.
CBS
explained the show as follows: "If you watch the show you'll see a familiar face equipped with mustache and leer. Because of his contract terms (Groucho was still doing You Bet Your Life on NBC
), his name can't be mentioned, but he is not Jerry Colonna."
General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald W. Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.-Radio:...
, broadcast by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on March 8, 1959. It was the first appearance of all three Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
together (minus the retired Zeppo) in the same scene since A Night in Casablanca
A Night in Casablanca
A Night in Casablanca was the twelfth Marx Brothers movie, starring Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx. The picture was directed by Archie Mayo and written by Joseph Fields and Roland Kibbee, and is generally considered one of the better of the Marx Brothers' later films.-Plot:Set in...
in 1946, although they had appeared in individual scenes in The Story of Mankind
The Story of Mankind
The Story of Mankind was written and illustrated by American journalist, professor, and author Hendrik Willem van Loon and published in 1921...
in 1957, and in pairs in Love Happy
Love Happy
Love Happy was the 14th and last starring feature for the Marx Brothers. The film stars Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, and, in a smaller role than usual, Groucho Marx, plus Ilona Massey, Vera-Ellen, Paul Valentine, Marion Hutton, Raymond Burr, Bruce Gordon , and Eric Blore, with a walk-on by Marilyn Monroe...
in 1949 (Chico and Harpo appear together; Groucho is in one brief shot with Harpo in the chase scene, and Chico is in a cutaway shot in the wrap-up in Groucho's office). Jewel Robbery would prove to be their last joint TV appearance.
Harpo and Chico play Harry and Nick, two inept would-be robbers who try to pull a jewelry heist. Chico is disguised in a police uniform, and Harpo wears, of all things, a Groucho Marx disguise. When they are caught and placed in a police lineup, the real Groucho shows up inexplicably and is immediately fingered as the thief. Groucho then delivers the only line in the otherwise silent program: "We won't talk until we see our lawyer!" Everybody gives each other their leg, and the You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
duck drops down with "The End" in its beak.
CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
explained the show as follows: "If you watch the show you'll see a familiar face equipped with mustache and leer. Because of his contract terms (Groucho was still doing You Bet Your Life on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
), his name can't be mentioned, but he is not Jerry Colonna."