Animal Crackers (1930)

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1. 

   afan

   A bit messy, but still has some great lines/moments. 12 years ago
2. 

   The Doctor

   A bit too mad cap and all over the map, yet that's the Marx Brothers for you 12 years 9 months ago
3. 

   Siskoid

   The Marx Brothers are at it again in Animal Crackers, which I wouldn't call their finest effort, but I can't fault them for experimenting with the format. I mean, they were really making it up as they went along. This is an early talky and only their second feature. Groucho walks to camera as other characters freeze to record prosaic asides (it's a parody of Eugene O'Neil it seems, but lost on me), but it's more odd than funny. Chico's piano playing isn't as well filmed as other instances (I NEED TO SEE HIS FINGER HIT THOSE HIGH NOTES DAMMIT) and goes on a bit long. The plot is a confusing trifle about a stolen painting, but I'll never hold a Marx Bros. movie in contempt for its plot. That said, there are parts that are better than the whole. Groucho's pun-filled dialog has a lot to recommend it. The card chaotic card game has its moments before the ladies quit on it. Harpo's harp number is less of a plug-in than usual and supports the love story. There's also a gag about Groucho being confused about his character's name that I swear seems to spring out of another actor flubbing a line and Groucho just keeps going and improvises around it. Can't prove it, of course, but that's what it looks like (a feature, not a flaw). 4 years 6 months ago

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