Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 12 March 1941, page 1


HARPO MARX TALKS IN COURT HELD PLENTY OF RACES"

(From Our Own Correspondent)

NEW YORK, Tuesday.

Harpo Marx, silent member of the Marx brothers movie team, spoke up loudly to-day at a Federal Court trial of the film executive, Joseph Schenck, who was accused of income tax evasion.

The comedian testified that he won almost 8,000 dollars (£A2,660) playing bridge with Schenck by "holding plenty of aces."

Earlier the captain of Schenck's yacht Caroline astonished the Court with testimony that the vessel cruised in southern Californian waters with a "crew" containing the names of Harpo Marx, Irving Berlin, Douglas Fairbanks, Darryl Zanuck, and other film notables, while Mrs. Marx, Mrs. Berlin, Kay Francis, Merle Oberon, and Constance Bennett were signed on as waitresses or stewardesses to avoid complications with the Mexican immigration authorities.

Schenck claimed half of 80,000 dollars, cost of operating the yacht, as a business expense" deduction

from income tax.