the marx brothers

In alphabetical order, they were Chico, Groucho, Gummo, Harpo, and Zeppo Marx. Gummo appeared in their vaudeville act, but not in any Marx Brothers films.

Just like the Thin Man movies, I love watching Marx Brothers movies when I'm a little under the weather or when it's cold/wet/yucky outside.

My all-time favorite scene is here, but here are some others for your enjoyment/eye rolling:









Marx Brothers for Beginners has some good info, too.

a night at the opera

the year: 1935

the genre: comedy


the cast: Groucho Marx (Otis B. Driftwood); Chico Marx (Fiorello); Harpo Marx (Tomasso); Kitty Carlisle (Rosa); Allan Jones (Riccardo); Sig Rugman (Gottlieb); Margaret Dumont (Mrs. Claypool)


the plot: Arrogant European opera impresario, tenor Rodolfo Lassparri, is chasing after his leading lady, Rosa Castaldi - who detests him. She's in love with Riccardo Baroni, an unknown tenor who is (of course) more talented than Lassparri. All Riccardo needs is an opportunity to show the world his talent. Otis B. Driftwood convinces Mrs. Claypool to be a benefactress to the New York Opera Company to the tune of $200,000. With the money, the company's managing director, Herman Gottlieb, hires Lassparri. Lassparri accepts and wants to bring Rosa to New York with him to continue as his leading lady, both on stage and in life. On the ship to New York, Riccardo, his friend and self-appointed manager Fiorello, and Lassparri's former valet Tomasso (Lassparri fired him) stowaway on board. They want help Riccardo get the gig as the leading tenor and reunite him with Rosa. Once in New York, the trio and Driftwood have to keep one step ahead of the authorities all the while helping Riccardo achieve his dream.


don't miss: Lassparri's stage debut in New York.


listen for: "And now, on with the opera. Let joy be unconfined. Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor."


did you know: Producer Irving Thalberg would often call people in for meetings, and then keep them waiting in his office for hours while he attended other meetings on the MGM lot. One day, during pre-production for A Night at the Opera (1935), Thalberg kept The Marx Brothers waiting for several hours in his secretary's office, while he was in his own office making phone calls. When Thalberg's secretary went home for the day, the brothers decided they'd had enough. They pushed the office file cabinets against Thalberg's door, trapping the producer in his office. Afterwards, Thalberg kept his appointments with the Marx Brothers, but would often interrupt his meetings with them and step out to attend other meetings - again keeping the brothers waiting for hours. One day, Thalberg came back from another meeting to find Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx sitting in his office completely naked, and roasting potatoes on sticks in his office fireplace. Thalberg sat down with them, had a potato, and never missed or interrupted another meeting with the Marx Brothers.


extra bonus points: if you know how many eggs Otis Driftwood orders from the steward. I lost count at 18.

a night in casablanca

the year: 1946

the genre: comedy

the cast: Groucho Marx (Ronald Kornblow); Harpo Marx (Rusty); Chico Marx (Corbaccio); Charles Drake (Lt. Pierre Delmar); Lois Collier (Annette); Sig Ruman (Count Pfferman / Heinrich Stubel); Lisette Verea (Beatrice Rheiner)


the plot: In post-war Casablanca, Ronald Kornblow is hired to run a hotel whose previous managers have all wound up being murdered. French soldier Pierre suspects the involvement of ex-Nazis, specifically Count Pfefferman, in reality the notorious Heinrich Stubel. But Pierre himself is accused of collaborating with the enemy, and attempts to clear his name with the help of his girlfriend Annette and cagey buddy Corbaccio. They enlist the aid of Pfefferman's beleaguered mute valet, Rusty, and discover a hoard of war loot the Nazis have stashed in the hotel.


count: how many customers Ronald Kornblow offends during his stint at the hotel registration desk.

don’t miss: the toupee’s run in with the vacuum cleaner.

check out: Harpo’s hair. The reason it looks a little strange is that for some reason, the producers decided to curl and dye his real hair, as opposed to using his customary blonde wig.


listen for: “From now on the essence of this hotel will be speed. If a customer asks you for a three-minute egg, give it to him in two minutes. If he asks you for a two-minute egg, give it to him in one minute. If he asks you for a one-minute egg, give him the chicken and let him work it out for himself!”

also listen for: “My name's Beatrice Rheiner. I stop at the hotel.” “My name's Ronald Kornblow. I stop at nothing!”


did you know: According to Marx Bros. biographer Joe Adamson, Harpo was offered $50,000 to utter the single word "Murder!" in this film, presumably to add publicity value to the film by having Harpo speak for the only time on-screen. Harpo declined the offer and never spoke publicly until a concert one year before his death.



extra bonus points: if you can name the character Sig Rugman played in White Christmas.