Room Service (1938)

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Siskoid
Room Service is an atypical Marx Brothers movie as it doesn't have the usual musical numbers, doesn't alternate between two locations, and doesn't feature the usual support players. It's an altogether more restrained affair (give or take a mechanical flying turkey). That's because it started out as a farce on Broadway, adapted here to the trio's shticks. Its origin as a play is evident. For most of the story, we're trapped in a hotel suite. Indeed, the Brothers can't move out or else they'll be evicted for good, and only the success of their play (to be shown on the hotel's stage) can save them from being kicked to the street along with their whole company (which includes a small role for a young Lucille Ball, but she doesn't get to be funny much). Despite the restraint, or perhaps because of it, it could be a good introduction to the Marx Brothers, easing yourself in rather than jumping into the deep end right away. 6 years 3 months ago