I was having a random memory today of George Burns. Let me set it up a little…
Late in Groucho Marx’ life he acquired a young girlfriend (Erin Fleming). Naturally, there was a good deal of debate as to the true nature of their relationship after Groucho died in 1976. The litigation over Groucho’s estate lasted for years. George Burns (a friend of Groucho’s) had a hit in 1977 with a movie called “Oh God!” in which he played the titular character.
Quoting from Groucho’s Wikipedia entry -
>> Litigation over his estate lasted into the 1980s. Eventually, Arthur Marx and his sisters were awarded the bulk of the estate, and Erin Fleming was ordered to repay $472,000.
Today, I remembered watching George Burns take the stand in the court room to testify as to his memories and impression of Groucho & Erin’s relationship. As the lawyer approached George, he looked less than composed and said (approximately), “Please excuse me if I am a little flustered, but I have never questioned God before.”
George looked straight at the lawyer and said, “Oh, don’t worry. I’m only God when they pay me.”