A Day at the Races is the second Marx Brothers vehicle after signing with MGM and the film is one of their five best films. “If I hold you any closer, I’ll be in back of you.” – Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush (Groucho Marx) Groucho Marx is on record as saying that the Marx Brothers made their best films under Irving Thalberg. Thalberg’s 1936 death came while this film was under production. For better or…
"A Day at the Races: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"Tag: Chico Marx
A Night at the Opera isn’t just the first Marx Brothers movie without Zeppo but it is their first film to be produced at MGM. “It’s all right, that’s in every contract. That’s, that’s what they call a sanity clause.” – Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You can’t fool me. There ain’t no Sanity Clause!”- Fiorello (Chico Marx) The Warner Archive Collection released the film on Blu-ray in September 2021. I’m a bit late in doing…
"A Night at the Opera: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
Despite the film being a box office disappointment, Duck Soup is the pinnacle achievement for the Four Marx Brothers on the screen. Duck Soup is 90 years old today. Paramount viewed the film as a disappointment because it didn’t bring in the money they hoped. The Great Depression was certainly a contributing factor. That the film is a political satire is probably less of a factor in why it did not perform better. There is…
"Duck Soup at 90 Years: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
Horse Feathers improves on previous films by delivering one of the funniest Marx Brothers movies in their cinematic canon. This film only runs 68 minutes and yet it’s a genius comedy movie. Although to be fair, some scenes and sequences are missing from the film because of either censorship or other damage to the negative. In any event, what we still have today makes for a funny film. Horse Feathers is not based on one…
"Horse Feathers: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Four Marx Brothers star in their first original film, Monkey Business, as they relocate to sunny LA for filming on the Paramount lot. “Oh, I know it’s a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.” – Groucho Norman Z. McLeod knows a thing or two about comedy. Interestingly enough, the film served as his solo directorial debut. He would…
"Monkey Business – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Four Marx Brothers followed up The Cocoanuts by bringing another stage production, Animal Crackers, to the screen. “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.” – Captain Jeffrey Spaulding (Groucho Marx) Victor Heerman takes over directing duties while Morrie Ryskind adapts the stage musical for the screen. There are so many funny quips that I don’t even know where to begin. We get one…
"Animal Crackers – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Cocoanuts was the first sound feature to star the Marx Brothers as they began to make their transition from the stage to screen. “Three years ago I came to Florida without a nickel in my pocket. Now I’ve got a nickel in my pocket.” – Mr. Hammer (Groucho Marx) My long-awaited Marx Brothers retrospective comes as Duck Soup turns 90 years old later this week. The journey starts with The Cocoanuts, a musical comedy…
"The Cocoanuts – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"