Six of the funniest films from one of the world's most beloved comedy teams. Features A Night at the Opera (1935), A Day at the Races (1937), At the Circus (1939), Go West (1940), The Big Store (1941) and A Night in Casablanca (1946).
Some puritsts believe that, along with Zeppo, the Marx Brothers also left their best days behind them when they quit Paramount for MGM. They argue that super-producer ... more >
Some puritsts believe that, along with Zeppo, the Marx Brothers also left their best days behind them when they quit Paramount for MGM. They argue that super-producer Irving G. Thalberg constrained the trio's style within contrived plots, polished production values and lengthy interludes showcasing Harpo and Chico's musical abilities. Yet their madcap genius continued to shine through in the frantic farces contained in this new boxed set. Indeed, there are those who consider A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races to be the Marx family jewels.
A Night at the Opera (1935)
Scripted by the peerless George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, this demolition of high culture and blue-blooded snobbery is studded with classic skits, including the space-defying stateroom sequence and the word-mangling contract signing - complete with its Sanity Clause. No wonder this became the Marx Bros's biggest box-office success.
A Day at the Races (1937)
Get your tutsi-frutsi ice-cream and enjoy the trio creating havoc at the racetrack in a bid to save the sanatorium where Groucho's horse doctor treats Margaret Dumont and her fellow hypochondriacs. Chico's betting tips, Dumont's examination and Groucho's encounter with dizzy blonde Jean Muir stand out among the highlights.
At the Circus (1939)
A surfeit of plot and a soppy love story rather got in the Marxes' way on their return to MGM. But who could resist the prospect of Margaret Dumont being fired out of a cannon, a symphony orchestra floating away on the ocean and Groucho revealing all about Lydia the Tatooed Lady?
Go West (1940)
Echoes of The General and Way Out West reverberate through this spoof horse opera, involving a railroad contract, a gold mine and a pair of desperadoes.
Much of the middle section is, well, middlin'. But the opening - in which Groucho is again fleeced by Chico and Harpo - and the train chase finale are splendid.
The Big Store (1941)
Take a bow Douglass Dumbrille, as his bid to take over Tony Martin's department store makes him the most hissable adversary that the Marx Bros.
ever encountered. However, there's a secondhand feel to the scenario, although compensation comes in Groucho's final flirtation with the inimitible Margaret Dumont.
A Night in Casablanca (1946)
Harpo refused $55,000 to break his celebrated screen silence with the word `Murder!' in the trio's penultimate outing. But why bother when he has such inspired sight gags as the toppling building to work with? Gleefully parodying wartime espionage dramas, this isn't vintage Marx, but it's the pick of their later efforts.
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DVD Extras
Commentaries by Leonard Maltin & Glenn Mitchell
All-New Documentary 'Remarks On Marx' (33mins)
The Hy Gardner Show (1/1/61) excerpt featuring Groucho Marx
Vintage MGM Shorts: Sunday Night At The Trocadero and Robert Benchley's Academy Award-Winning 'How To Sleep'
All-New Documentary 'On Your Marx, Get Set, Go!' (27 mins)
Four Vintage Shorts: Robert Benchley's Oscar-Nominated 'A Night At The Movies' plus the rarely-seen MGM Cartoons Gallopin' Gals, Mama's New Hat and Old Smokey
Vintage Our Gang Comedy Short Dog Daze
Classic MGM Cartoon Jitterbug Follies
Vintage Shorts: Pete Smith Specialty Quicker 'n A Wink, Fitzpatrick Traveltalk Cavalcade Of San Francisco, The Milky Way, Short Flicker Memories, Officer Pooch
Bugs Bunny in the Looney Tunes cartoon classic Acrobatty Bunny
Vintage Joe McDoakes' Short So You Think You're A Nervous Wreck.
