Displaying items by tag: Groucho Mar

ANIMAL CRACKERS

US, 1930, 97 minutes, Black-and-white.

Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont, Lillian Roth, Louis Solrin.

Directed by Victor Heerman.

The Marx Brothers were very successful on the American stage, their comedy routines. In the late 20s, they had been appearing on Broadway in animal crackers, by celebrated playwright, George S.Kaufmann songs by the celebrated Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar. The first screen appearance was short film followed by a film version of the estate success, The Coconuts.

Animal Crackers is their second film, adaptation of the play, elimination of most of the songs. They Were Then to Make Several Films at Paramount Including Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup. Then the very successful transition to MGM, bigger budget production values, and the consolidation of their screen success: A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, At the Circus, Go West, The Big Store.

The reason for seeing Animal Crackers is because of its historic place in the Marx Brothers career. However, it is an opportunity to enjoy the screen beginnings of their popular routines. There is a threat of a plot, a hostess welcoming African explorer Captain Spaulding to her home, the unveiling of a celebrated art work, shenanigans about substituting the painting for the boyfriend of the hostess’s daughter. But, the plot is not important.

Groucho Marx had perfected his look and style, his patter, his walk slouch, his eyebrow raising, his quick wit, going off at different angles, play on words, touch of innuendo, interruptions, absolute self-confidence. And he was to do this for the next 40 years in film and television.

Chico Marx was successful at comedy routines, the touch of being ingenuous. However, he was celebrated for his virtuosity and piano playing, transition from classical style to modern style, and the comic play of his fingers along with the great skills. There is ample opportunity to admire this here.

Harpo, not speaking, grinning with and insinuating look, this time a skirt chaser, all kinds of visual gags.  It is rather a surprise, but a pleasure, when he does eventually, and out of character, play the harp.

There is also Zeppo, here a secretary, who has a dictation scene with Groucho, but who did not have the screen impact of his brothers, taking on more serious roles and then withdrawing from films and focusing on the business side of the family.

For fans of the later Marx Brothers films, this early film should not be missed.

DUCK SOUP

US, 1933, 69 minutes, Black-and-white.

Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont, Louis Calhern.

Directed by Leo McCarey.

A very early Marx Brothers film, many critics considering at their best. However, they were then to sign a contract with MGM and star in a series of very popular entertainments, A Night at the Operator, A Day at the Races, Go West, The Big Store.

The Marx Brothers were celebrated for their onstage comedy, a range of routines, Groucho, moustache and glasses, sloping walk, eyebrow raising, quips. And, Harpo, not speaking, mugging away, playing the harp when possible. Chico had his Italian accent and verbal mixups as well as his piano playing. Zeppo was the straight man and moved from films to business.

And, in seven films, the leading lady was the celebrated Margaret Dumont, tall, haughty, aristocratic, the butt of Groucho Marx’s jokes, but her continued devotion to his characters.

The screenplay, written by songwriters Harry Ruby and BertKalmar (as well as some songs here) takes up the popular theme of a European kingdom (think a 1930s style Prisoner of Zenda situation). The sets are quite something, re-creating the atmosphere of a European Castle and its interiors. And there is the pomp and circumstance of royalty, ambassadors, courts and judgements, political proceedings.

But, this is only a context for the comedy routines and performances with the Marx Brothers fulfilling all the above descriptions. They had already made Coconuts, Monkey Business, Animal Crackers so they had made the transition from stage to screen. In comparison with his other roles, Groucho is his usual self but a touch more subdued, on the edge of going full throttle. Harpo and Chico actually play two of the most inept spies and undercover agents you could find, Harpo finding a moment to play the strings on a grand piano.

Louis Calhern plays the insidious ambassador, terribly serious, the butt of a lot of the jokes, but going along with the proceedings.

Definitely for Marx Brothers fans but also a reminder of their early days.