A Day at the Races joins a number of other Marx Brothers titles on Blu-ray as the newest Warner Archive Collection release. What follows is my original review of the film from November: 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…
"A Day at the Races Gets Warner Archive Blu-ray"Tag: Groucho Marx
The Big Store was supposed to be the final Marx Brothers movie but they would make a come back five years later in another film. This was the final film of the five films that the Marx Brothers made for MGM. It was also one of the three films produced there after Irving Thalberg’s tragic death. Say what you will about Louis B. Mayer but he was no Thalberg. Thalberg had been one of their…
"The Big Store – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Marx Brothers Go West in their only Western comedy and the shenanigans go exactly as one might expect in the film. Foreword: In 1851, Horace Greeley uttered a phrase that did much to change the history of these United States. He said: Go West, young man, go west. This is the story of three men who made Horace Greeley sorry he said it. This is the second Marx Brothers film directed by Edward Buzzell…
"Go West – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
At the Circus may be best known for being the film where Groucho Marx first sings “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” on screen. The best Marx Brothers films are those that feature songs in addition to their zany antics. Thankfully, this film gets them back on track after making a film for RKO. Margaret Dumont also returns, which always leads to great fun in their films. Unlike Room Service, this film is written directly for them.…
"At the Circus – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
Room Service is the first Marx Brothers movie based on a stage play that was not explicitly written for or by the brothers. Following Irving Thalberg’s death, Zeppo Marx led the efforts for his brothers to do a film for RKO Radio Pictures. John Murray and Allan Boretz had written the Broadplay play, which the brothers had nothing to do with its creation on stage. Despite Morrie Ryskind adapting the film for the screen, it…
"Room Service – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
A Night in Casablanca sees the Marx Brothers inching closer to the end of the road of performing as a trio on the big screen. “Round up all the likely suspects.” – Prefect of Police (Dan Seymour) What’s interesting about this film is that it’s known more for Groucho’s legendary letters surrounding its creation. Word had it that Warner Bros. threatened to sue over the film’s title. Casablanca had only come out a few years…
"A Night in Casablanca – A Marx Brothers Retrospective" 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"
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"