RAISED EYEBROWS THE CONSERVATORSHIP OF GROUCHO MARX Terry

RAISED EYEBROWS: THE CONSERVATORSHIP OF GROUCHO MARX Terry W. Hammond & Associates 300 East Main Street, Suite 1426 El Paso, Texas 79901 (915) 534 -7000 www. hammondlaw. net

“I don’t trust that girl a bit. I think she’s going to give us a lot of trouble. ” Lois Marx, daughter-in-law of Graucho Marx

When I met him, he was spending all day in bed, he didn’t care if he got up or not. Now he’s filled with plans again…and if you’re going to mention me, do you have my name right? Erin Fleming quoted in Esquire Magazine July, 1973

Erin is my idol. I told her if she ever quit me, I’d quit show business. Graucho Marx, age 83, to Playboy Magazine

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"She was a little overwrought, always a little on edge -- or had an edge on from something -- but she seemed rather nice and charming and devoted to Groucho. He was pretty lonely and his children were not all that available. “ Dick Cavett

1083 Hillcrest Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Hon. Edward Rafeedie

The Good 1972 – Carnegie Hall 1972 – Cannes – French Commandeur des Artes et Lettres 1974 – Honorary Academy Award Numerous TV interviews (Dick Cavett, Bill Cosby) Numerous Magazine articles (Life, Esquire, Playboy)

The Bad Groucho Productions – 50% Ownership Executive Producer, Associate Producer, coordinator and secretary 10 % of gross income from personal appearances 50% of net income from Carnegie Hall recording Drug use, probably cocaine, by Erin Fleming and by household staff New Mercedes Benz $100, 000 bequest in will Syringes with barbiturates

The Ugly “You stupid, senile old b*****d. ” “I’ll slap you from here to Pittsburgh. ” “Just sign your name…can’t you sign your f*****g name? F*****g servants are running this place. They’re treating me like a cockroach. ” “I just can’t get up and perform in front of people anymore. ” “She’s been to see you five times in seven years. Is she going to take care of you? ”

HEADLINE NEWS “Threats to Groucho Marx’s Life Claimed” “Possibility of Plot to Kill Groucho Marx Probed” “Saw Manager Give Marx Tranquilizers, Nurse Says” “Marx’s Manager Threatened to Kill 2, Court Told”

“In addition to asking to be appointed as conservator for the ailing Marx, she has also asked that her name be legally changed to ‘Flemmo’. ” Jane Curtin, Saturday Night Live

“Be fiercely independent. You’re under no obligation to anybody in this case. You may change the locks at the house and determine who has the keys. You have the power to dismiss any employee, although you should maintain the status quo. ” Judge Edward Rafeedie Los Angeles Superior Court April 22, 1977

Let’s face it, Steve. Erin’s a little wacko. ” Nat Perrin, Temporary Conservator for Groucho Marx, to Steve Stoliar

“I get calls all the time from the house – when I’m home, when I’m out to dinner and when I’m at parties. It’s a continuous job and I can’t even get out of town. It has become quite a responsibility. ” Nat Perrin, Temporary Conservator for Groucho Marx, to reporters

“So, do you know any other rich old men in need of companionship? ” Erin Fleming to Jerry Davis, who introduced her to Groucho Marx

IMDB n Erin Fleming was a highly ambitious Canadian actress who was Groucho Marx' controversial guardian from circa 1969 until his death in 1977. His family sued to have her removed from that status, saying she was pushing him into public performances against doctors' advice, after he had suffered a series of minor strokes. She was considered mentally unstable and was reportedly living as a bag lady in Los Angeles in the last years of her life. She died from a self inflicted gunshot wound in 2003.