Tuesday, November 06, 2007

The wit of King Abddullah



I am sure it is terribly bad form to make personal remarks about the Holy Father's visitors, but doesn't King Abdullah look like Groucho Marx? It is the glasses,dyed mustache.
I wonder if he was having a little joke with the Pope by presenting him with a 16th century jewelled sword, do you think it was a reference to the Regensburg Address, I mean that quote by the Emperor Manuel II about Islam and the sword?

10 comments:

Brendan Allen said...

Actually Father, as an enthusiastic Marxist myself, I can confirm that for most of his films, Groucho's moustache was actually black paint!

As for the sword, well, my theory is that he gave it because it features on Saudi Arabia's national flag.

Dr. Peter H. Wright said...

Groucho Marx, whether playing the part of Rufus T. Firefly, Otis. B. Driftwood, Hugo Z. Hackenbush, etc., would never have worn a beard !

Brendan is of course right about the moustache, but the eyebrows were greasepaint too.

He was almost unrecognisable off stage.

Anonymous said...

I see what Fr means, when I was a child we had Groucho glasses, nose and moustach, all attached, the King does look as though he is wearing those, and that beard does look as though it has been felt tipped on.

Andrew said...

Apparently, it's a Bedouin custom of presenting swords whether to visiting dignitaries or when visiting.

Anonymous said...

When the Mafia want to kill you they send you a bullet. When the King of Saudi Arabia . . . .

gemoftheocean said...

Agree with Brendan and Dr. Peter re: Groucho. the story is [from his autobio GROUCHO AND ME] that one day Groucho was late getting back to the theatre for a performance, so instead of using spirit gum for the phoney mustache, he grabbed some greasepaint and used it for mustache and eyebrows. Complete happy accident. He got as big laughs or bigger without the fur piece, and as it didn't wear out his skin or take so long, he stayed with the greasepaint. Groucho was in Vaudeville almost 20 years before they made the 1st movie. [ONE other performer the brothers met "on the circuit" was a young Charles Chaplin - before he made movies.] The book is a very fun read.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the idea behind the present is innocent and based on custom but I have to say, it is hilarious.

Anonymous said...

Ah, but does King Abdullah know that Papa Benedict is also a Jedi?

Paulinus said...

I hope the Pontiff sells it on ebay and uses the money to buy rosaries and Bibles for Saudi Christians

Adulio said...

Well thank God, the king didn't present a Quran. If it had been JP II, he would have kissed it!!!

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