Movie Information
Overall Rank: 3544
Average Rating: 2.8/4
# of Ratings: 36
Theatrical Release Date: 09/19/1931
Language: English
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Norman Z. McLeod
Actors: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Rockliffe Fellowes, Harry Woods
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Rating of
3/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 08/12/2011
This film is definitely the Harpo show, as his visual antics often steal the show. Here, Harpo is more vocal than in past Marx Brothers films and this is an obvious precursor to the madcap brilliance that is Duck Soup, which would shortly follow.
Rating of
4/4
TheWolf - wrote on 12/24/2007
While it clearly lacks the production values and sounder direction (even the great Margaret Dumont is absent) of Soup and Opera, it nevertheless allows the brothers freer reign to rebel. It is probably Harpo's( my favorite Marx) best effort containing a brilliant puppet show scene with a flustered first mate and children who seem to be truly enjoying Harpo instead of acting. Another scene I consider one of the funniest moments in all of of sound era history is with Harpo posing as Maurice Chevalier in an attempt with the rest of his brothers to get off the ship.
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Rating of
2.5/4
"Monkey Business" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 02/20/2012
The brothers stowaway on board an ocean liner and get mixed up with a mobster trying to take over his old boss' territory. The usual mix of wisecracking, slapstick and glamorous gals, Monkey Business is virtually plotless and more of a freeform farce that gives them the freedom to do their thing. The scenes on board ship feel far less forced than a lot of their films as a result, and although it rarely provokes belly laughs, it's always great fun and Ruth Hall and Thelma Todd model some pretty outfits to provide some old school glamour. Once they hit land, things peter out somewhat as they set about resolving the "plot" and Harpo and Chico inevitably wheel out their ubiquitous and coma inducing musical asides. Not the best of the Marx brothers films but it still has its moments, and …
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