This is an I-Heart podcast.

This is our American stories, and we've already brought you the story of how UCLA undergraduate Steve Stollier saved a Marx Brothers movie from extinction.

But here's the story of how Steve called up Aaron Fleming, Groucho's manager, and landed the job of his dreams.

In the summer of 74, I had two or three summer jobs fall through, for which I remain eternally grateful.

And my dad was pressuring me. I don't want you sitting around on your fanny all summer long.

I want you to find some job. There's a, they may need a bus boy at this restaurant,

or you could go get interviewed at Taco Bell. And I thought, I don't want to do any of that,

but he's never going to let up on me.

So I called Aaron Fleming, figuring I had nothing to

lose. And I said, is there anything at all that you think maybe I could sort of help? And she said,

well, actually, it's funny you called because I used to be

Groucho's secretary but now I'm his manager and we need someone to handle all of the

fan mail that's been coming in and also to organize all of his memorabilia,

which is going to be donated to the Smithsonian after he's gone.

And we need someone who really knows their Marx Brothers.

And I'm thinking, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,

and in my mind's eye, I have this sort of Tex Avery cartoon image of me zipping out of the house

and instantly appearing on the doorstep of Groucho's house while Aaron is still on the phone explaining the job to me. It wasn't quite like that, but that's how it felt.

And I thought that I would be working maybe in an office building,

maybe twice a month.

He'd come by to sign checks or something.

She said, oh, no, you'll have your own room to work in at Groucho's house and you can make your own hours.

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