The legendary Groucho Marx was practically retired from showbiz by the late 1960's. That's why he was skeptical when renowned director Otto Preminger approached him to play a mob leader named "God" in Skidoo. Skidoo was to be Paramount Pictures' attempt to connect with the young people of the day. Groucho was resistant at first, but Mr. Preminger was convincing.
Skidoo was an effort to embrace the flower power LSD generation with a 'today' picture they'd flock to. Oddly enough, Groucho allegedly dropped acid to prepare for this role. Easily the classiest thing in a tawdry, misguided film, Groucho barely escapes with his dignity intact. The film was a colossal disaster that was universally panned by just about everyone. Otto Preminger and his estate kept the movie locked up for decades. Thought the film was released in 1968, it didn't get a home video release until 2011.
