The sad fact about the Marx Brothers is that after the movie A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, their career was all downhill. While A DAY AT THE RACES and ROOM SERVICE were still very good, their subsequent efforts were painfully ordinary and generally unfunny. It was like they were playing lethargic caricatures of themselves. And, from what I gathered, the Marxes WERE very content to just collect a paycheck at this point in their lives.
Some of the blame for the static nature of this film also must be given to MGM--a studio that had a history of ruining good comedians when they came under DIRECT MGM control (Laurel and Hardy's films were distributed by MGM but were created by the independent-minded Hal Roach Studios). If you don't believe me, look at all the Marxes films from the late 30s on as well as Buster Keaton's films of the 30s--they rely on an MGM formula and lack all the frenetic intensity of the comedians' earlier non-MGM efforts.
The film is a by-the-book effort where the Marx Brothers work at a department store. The usual music by the Marxes is supplemented by dull songs. So, instead of original and funny material, we are treated to MORE MUSIC!! My advice is see their earlier Paramount films or their first two MGM flicks then avoid the rest unless you are a die-hard fan.
UPDATE: I just re-watched this film. This time I wasn't quite as negative about it but STILL was frustrated that the film seemed like a musical in which the Marx Brothers were tossed instead of a Marx Brothers film. Too often, plot was secondary and singing got in the way. One annoying singer was a zombie-like woman who sang some song about lullabies--which was NOT pleasant. Some of Tony Martin's singing is very nice (and I really liked Chico and Harpo's music) but that and the total number of songs in the film make it one of their weakest efforts. Worth seeing but that is all.
Some of the blame for the static nature of this film also must be given to MGM--a studio that had a history of ruining good comedians when they came under DIRECT MGM control (Laurel and Hardy's films were distributed by MGM but were created by the independent-minded Hal Roach Studios). If you don't believe me, look at all the Marxes films from the late 30s on as well as Buster Keaton's films of the 30s--they rely on an MGM formula and lack all the frenetic intensity of the comedians' earlier non-MGM efforts.
The film is a by-the-book effort where the Marx Brothers work at a department store. The usual music by the Marxes is supplemented by dull songs. So, instead of original and funny material, we are treated to MORE MUSIC!! My advice is see their earlier Paramount films or their first two MGM flicks then avoid the rest unless you are a die-hard fan.
UPDATE: I just re-watched this film. This time I wasn't quite as negative about it but STILL was frustrated that the film seemed like a musical in which the Marx Brothers were tossed instead of a Marx Brothers film. Too often, plot was secondary and singing got in the way. One annoying singer was a zombie-like woman who sang some song about lullabies--which was NOT pleasant. Some of Tony Martin's singing is very nice (and I really liked Chico and Harpo's music) but that and the total number of songs in the film make it one of their weakest efforts. Worth seeing but that is all.