Animal Crackers (1930)

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Directed by Victor Heerman.

Starring Robert Greig, Chico Marx, Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, Lillian Roth.

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Animal Crackers, like The Cocoanuts before is an all-but-literal translation to film of a smash-hit Marx Brothers Broadway musical. The aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) holds a weekend party at her Long Island Estate. Her guest of honor is famed (but likely fraudulent) African explorer Geoffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx). Also showing up are renegade musician Signor Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx), the mute, girl-chasing "Professor" (Harpo Marx) and Spaulding's faithful secretary Horatio Jamison (Zeppo Marx). The film, revolving around a stolen painting, finds Groucho lecturing on his most recent safari ("One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know"), Harpo and Chico unabashedly cheating at bridge, Groucho dictating a wildly nonsequitur letter to the firm of Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger and McCormick, and Groucho and Chico drawing up plans to build a house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Monkey Business
by Risselada in Risselada Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Monkey BusinessI'm talking about the Marx Brothers movie here.I not too long ago purchased all of the Marx brothers movies when I got a big discount from Borders. I've seen many of these before, but I'm going through all of them again.I just watched The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers a bit before this. I think all of the Marx Brothers movies are absolutely fantastic. I love every single one of them and the wonderful picture they make then you put them all together and let them interact.These first movies were rather short, but that keeps the jokes coming. I love the musical interludes as well. It's movies like this that really make you lament what often seems like "classic" humor. I think that type of humor still exists actually, but who has done it better since this? Who can deliver a line better than Groucho? The man is perfect.And the scenes with Harpo and the Punch and Judy show is one of the funniest of all time.Rating: 10/10 " [More]

What are some of your favorite ...
by divinemsjunebug in Chicks who like Flicks

loved it.

"There are so many on my list that it would be hard for me to remember them all. But I just watched Blades of Glory the other day and really thought this was cute. I have to say I really laughed out loud at a few parts. I love Will Ferrell movies, I get his sense of humor and he just cracks me up. I think my all time favorite comedy, though, has to be Airplane - I still love watching that movie over and over again. OF course I also love the old, old Classics like any Marx Brothers film, Abbott and Costello (especially when they meet the different monsters), Bing Crosby and Bob Hope movies...let's see there is also, Some Like it Hot, Bringing up Baby, so many others. What are some of your favorites? " [More]

Re: Guess The Movie Quote
by LateNighter in Best movie quotes

hasn't rated it.

"Hmmm...okay, here goes: "Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas, I'll never know!" That sounds like a Groucho Marx line and I can visualize him saying it.... I am going to make a guess and say "Animal Crackers"... [/quote][/quote] Bravo, Dr. Gor! And...back to you! " [More]

Re: Guess The Movie Quote
by Dr_Gor in Best movie quotes

liked it.

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

Anarchy has rarely been so enjoyable. Though many critics rank 1933's Duck Soup as the funniest Marx Brothers movie, others may prefer Animal Crackers, released in 1930. Based on the hit Broadway play by George S. Kaufman and Morris Ryskind, Animal Crackers features Groucho Marx as explorer Captain Spaulding, who is the guest of honor at a party hosted by wealthy matron Mrs. Rittenhouse (Groucho's favorite foil Margaret Dumont). The plot is a flimsy excuse for Groucho, Chico, and Harpo to run amok, with Zeppo playing his customary straight-man role. Director Victor Heerman is basically a bystander as the brothers take over, treating film as an extension of vaudeville. Animal Crackers was funnier and a bigger success than its predecessor, The Cocoanuts, and it marked the true beginning of the Marx Brothers' long and successful film careers, establishing their unique blend of physical and verbal mayhem. It has probably more memorable lines than any other Marx Brothers film. The most famous is Groucho's: "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." There are also the customary zingers that Groucho directs at Dumont, such as: "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, which doesn't say much for you." ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

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