Irving Brecher

Irving S. Brecher (January 17, 1914 – November 17, 2008) was a screenwriter who wrote for the Marx Brothers among many others; he was the only writer to get sole credit on a Marx Brothers film, penning the screenplays for At the Circus and Go West (1940) (though both films contain contributions from uncredited writers). Brecher was also one of the numerous uncredited writers on the screenplay of The Wizard of Oz (1939). Some of his other screenplays were Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Ziegfeld Follies (1945) and Bye Bye Birdie (1963).

Early years Brecher was born in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in Yonkers. while in high school As a teenager he was writing jokes, sending them to newspaper columnists Walter Winchell and Ed Sullivan on postcards.

At 19, Brecher's first professional involvement with movies was as an usher at a Manhattan movie theater.

He created, produced, and was head writer for the original radio and early TV edition of The Life of Riley. He also wrote for Al Jolson on radio and later created and co-produced The People's Choice as well.

Brecher's career in screenwriting began in 1937.

Brecher, who bore a physical resemblance to Groucho Marx, once filled in for him in Marx Brothers publicity photos for the film At the Circus, despite an almost 25-year age difference.

Works

Death Brecher died November 17, 2008. He was survived by his wife and three stepchildren.