On this day...

777 years ago today (or at least some time this week) Gengis Khan, warlord, dictator, misunderstood poet, general and all-round nice guy died.
On hi death-bed, rather than leaving money to any of his favourite charities he decided that he'd rather the kingdom he was attacking be 'wiped from the face of the earth'.

On a lighter note (though only just), 750 years after Khan shuffled off this mortal coil, a far greater person also made a career change to worm food.
This was, of course, Julius 'Groucho' Marx.

A caricature capturing the very essence of Groucho, including his odd, low-slung walk.

Groucho, one of six brothers - 4 of whom appeared in films together - is famous (or should that be infamous) for his devilish good looks. Not quite the face that launched a thousand ships so much as the face that launched a thousand joke shops, it being the stereotypical all-in-one plastic copy of that famous combination of greasepaint 'tache and glasses (with a cigar for added effect) that even now is still popular amongst small children, pissed people and other idiots.

He came to fame as one cinema's 'the Marx brothers'.
Along with Chico, Harpo and Zeppo, he appeared in a large number of black and white films. Arguably the most famous (or at least the funniest) being 'A Night at the Opera' - a film that's definitely worth a look.
Yet, despite starring alongside 3 siblings, it was Groucho whose star shone the brightest, a large part of that being down to the superior dialogue that he tended to be afforded in their films.

The three most famous of all the Marx Bros.
(from the left) Harpo, Chico and inimitable Groucho.

Here follows 10 of the more memorable quotes that Groucho's characters (all your favourites, including Captain Spaulding, Dr. Hackenbush, President Firefly and others...) have been heard to utter:

1. "Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others."
2. "Time wounds all heels."
3. "He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot."
4. "I have had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
5. "Remember men, we're fighting for this woman's honour - which is probably more than she ever did."
6. "There is no sweeter sound than the crumbling of your fellow man."
7. "I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book."
8. "Room service? Send up a larger room."
9. "Who are you going to believe: me or your own eyes?"
10. "Quote me as saying I was misquoted."

A great man who, even now - 27 years after his death, is sorely missed.
Groucho Marx, we salute you.