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Animal Crackers / Duck Soup / Horse Feathers [1930]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Animal Crackers, the second Marx Brothers classic, has Groucho playing Captain Spaulding (an inside joke pertaining to a renowned Hollywood drug pusher), whose song "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" became his signature anthem. Despite its staginess, it has some hilarious gags as the boys try to solve the mystery of a stolen painting among the high-society crowd. Some of the highlights include Groucho's African lecture about shooting an elephant in his pyjamas, and a wacky card game between Harpo, Chico and the always-gullible Margaret Dumont. The musical interludes here don't seem as awkward as in later films. It's really quite charming watching Chico and Harpo show off their graceful talents. --Bill Desowitz

In Duck Soup Groucho plays Rufus T Firefly, the dictator of the small nation Freedonia. The country is a disaster, in financial disrepair, and the wealthy Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is its benefactor and the object of Firefly's shrewd affection. When the leader of the neighbouring Sylvania decides he's in love with Mrs Teasdale, Firefly declares war. The movie, from 1933, is tremendously satirical, a play on politics and war. Full of witty lines, great sight gags and even some snazzy song numbers, this is surely among the best--if not the best--the Marx Brothers have to offer. --Jenny Brown

Imagine Groucho as the president of a college and Harpo and Chico as football players. It doesn't get much wackier than this. Horse Feathers, indeed. Groucho is hilarious to watch as a hip professor. He's at his most rebellious singing "Whatever it is, I'm against it". Thelma Todd does some of her best vamping to help fix the big football game, which Harpo and Chico are supposed to throw. Naturally, the brothers have other ideas. For sheer laughter, this has to rate almost as high as Duck Soup, with the memorable speakeasy sequence, and the funniest football finale of all time, complete with banana peels and a chariot. --Bill Desowitz


Vintage Marx at there finest
Review date: 2001-09-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

For a naive, young and eclectic youth, i would have to say that the Marx Brothers are in a class of there own. There often absurd humour and hilarious scenes are unique, destinctive and always wonderful. Despite being made in the 30's, these films can be entertaining for every generation as these films are quite frankly timeless. All the films have similar ideas, storylines and characters, but this is forgotten as the sheer showmanship and humour that comes across in every film is fabulous, leaving the audience craving for more. These films are a must for anyone enlightened by the style of humour only possessed by Groucho, Cheeko and Harpo Marx.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Lillian Roth
The Marx Brothers
Louis Calhern
Hal Thompson
Margaret Dumont

Creators:
The Marx Brothers (Primary Contributor)
Margaret Dumont (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 4 Front Video
Manufacturer: 4 Front Video
EAN: 3259190430938
Binding: VHS Tape
Number of items: 3
Format: Box set, Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2001-10-01
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Running time: 221 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1930

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