Dear Kendra,
Idea: While watching the Marx Brothers in
old golf films I picked up some info that
just wouldn't let me go, and I couldn't
figure out why I was so intrigued with it.
Now, anyone at all familiar with the MxBs
knows that Cheeko is mute; never, ever
speaks on stage. Turns out that started
in the late (I think) 20's when a British
critic remarked that the MxBs were quite
nice but it was too bad about Cheeko.
"He did the most lovely pantomime that
was completely ruined whenever he
spoke." He never uttered a single
syllable on stage or in film for the rest of
his life.

If you are like me, we've never heard the
voice of Cheeko Marx. Now, try imagining
a conversation with him. I can hold an
imaginary conversation with anyone that I
know and many that I've never met except
over the media. I can plainly see and
hear them in my mind's eye and ear,
including lip movement and facial
expressions. When I try it with Cheeko it
doesn't work. I have never heard his
voice nor seen his lips move, nor
anything but a broad smile on his face. It
takes a real mental effort to move his lips,
they're not in focus, and trying to "force" a
voice results in total failure.

I'm thinking in terms of "cognitive
packages" with regard to recognition -
facial,vocal, the social stuff. To what
extent is consciousness dependant upon
experience? I think, therefore I am - yes,
but why cannot not imagine a sound that I
have never before heard while I can easily
"see" a scene - belay that one. I have a
huge archive of stored images to use.
OK, but that doesn't explain the audition. I
have an archive of sounds as well and
can even manipulate them in my mind
and create orchestras, train whistles,
water falls. I can even "create" in my mind
a new face. Trying to imagine a new
sound comes up only with silence.

Have you tried to imagine Cheeko's voice
yet? Let me know, Ciao,
the monkeywrench

PS: By the way, four of the MxBs once
entered a golf tournament as one person.
If I have it straight, Harpo ran the drivers,
Groucho the long irons, Zeppo the short,
and Cheeko the putters. (If you're gonna
do it pantomime you need the gallery to
bounce off.)

PSS: I do NOT play pasture pool by the
way. Neither did the Marx Brothers to any
appreciable degree - but they sure made
it fun.