For Immediate Release
Groucho Would be Proud - Chicago Set a Guinness World Record
We won with a little help from our friends, City of Chicago and Goodman Theatre
The City of Chicago's Outdoor Film Festival, in partnership with the Goodman Theatre, set a Guinness World Record™ by wearing a Groucho's iconic nose and glasses at the July 21, 2009 showing of the American classic film Duck Soup in Grant Park.
According to Guinness World Records™ officials: The current record for "Most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses was achieved by 4,436 participants in an event organized by the City of Chicago's Outdoor Film Festival in partnership with the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, USA on 21 July 2009. The previous record was 4,077 glasses which was set on July 9, 2007 in Missouri.
"We are a city of many firsts, and I hope this is one of many records to be broken in the City of Chicago. I would also like to congratulate and thank the Goodman Theatre for the idea," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.
This event primed Chicago for a major revival of Animal Crackers, starting September 18 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn). This family-friendly musical theater event is based on the original Marx Brothers Broadway hit and film classic, and stars Chicago's-own Joey Slotnick in the role originated by Groucho Marx. Tickets ($25-76) are now on sale: www.GoodmanTheatre.org
"How fun and fitting for Goodman Theatre to partner with the City of Chicago in this most madcap of ways," said Goodman Theatre Executive Director Roche Schulfer. "We hope Chicago's celebration of Groucho Marx continues at the Goodman this fall with Animal Crackers."
Rated one of the best outdoor events of the summer, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival (COFF), presented by ComEd and produced/ programmed by the Chicago Film Office - a division of the Mayor's Office of Special Events - celebrates 10 years of bringing you great classic American films (July 14 to August 25). For more info, visit the web: chicagooutdoorfilmfestival.us Special thanks to our sponsors: ComEd, Metromix, CTA, The Lite WLIT 93.9 and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
The final night of the 2009 Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is Tuesday, August 25, featuring Tootsie.