Dalbert Pringle I really like The Marx Brothers. At the height of their popularity (between 1935-1945), Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and, sometimes, Zeppo (always playing the straight man), were one of Hollywood's funniest comedy teams, ever. Their unique brand of humour (a zany mix of slapstick, absurd situations, and racy innuendo/word-play) is genuinely hilarious, even when judged by today's standards.When The Marx Brothers were good, they were very, very, good. Indeed. But when they weren't so good - Well - Their wit and charm floundered somewhat, just as it did here in 1937's "A Day At The Races".A good part of this flick's problem can easily be blamed on there being way too much focus put on a boring romance. And this left The Marx Brothers out of the picture's limelight far too often.In "A Day At The Races" - Groucho, Harpo, and Chico (as characters Dr. Hackenbush, Stuffy, and Tony, respectively) try to save Judy's Health Sanatorium from being turned into a Casino by the ruthless villain, Morgan.This flick also contains a really splendid musical number that includes about 30 black performers whose ages ranged from about 5 to 40. It really rocks.

weezeralfalfa The second and last Marx Brothers film produced by the legendary Irving Thalberg, who had brought the brothers to MGM, but died quite young during the production of this film. Like the prior "A Night at the Opera" it was considerably longer(110 min.) than the last two films they did at Paramount, and the subsequent films at MGM or RKO. Like "A Night at the Opera", in addition to the usual piano and harp playing of Chico and Harpo, the music is mostly packaged in 2 classy productions. Alan Jones is back to lead the singing in both, although they are not operatic,like in the previous film. There is dancing in both, although of very very different styles! The first, played to "On Blue Venetian Waters", features a whole troupe of ballerinas, a fountain and reflecting floor. Vivian Fay is featured in part of this show as the sole dancer....The second production features 3 songs "Tomorrow is Another Day" is sung by Jones. Sandwiched between the beginning and end of Jones' sing are 2 numbers sung by the all African American Crinoline Choir, sometimes featuring Ivie Anderson, borrowed from the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The first is the familiar "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen. The second is "All God's Chillin Got Rhythm", also featuring Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, who entertained with extreme jitterbug dancing....In addition to his harp solo, Harpo played the piano after Chico finished. As you might expect, he managed to totally destroy the piano when he got over excited.So much for the musical portions. What about the comedy? The first approximately quarter of the film is relatively lacking in comedy. until a goon sent by banker Morgan to take the race horse Hi Hat is foiled by Chico and Harpo, who ride off to temporary safety.Next, Morgan tries to discredit Groucho(a veterinarian and presently a pseudodoctor) by introducing him to a willing statuesque blond(Flo, played by Esther Muir). Groucho invites her up to his room. Chico and Harpo soon arrive to try to encourage Flo to leave. They try several tricks until they arrive again as paperhangers, plastering the wall and over Groucho and Flo. Groucho then performs his unorthodox examination of wealthy widow Emily((Margaret Dumont) with the aid of Chico and Harpo, and with an observing doctor present. Finally, Hi Hat(horse) enters the examining room, and the boys make their getaway. The boys hide in Hi Hat's stable until Morgan and the sheriff arrive to arrest them. Quite a melee ensues, with Hi Hat also getting some kicks in.Looks like Hi Hat won't be able to make a steeple chase, but the brothers come up with some drastic measures to delay the start until Hi Hat can hopefully be brought to the track. The race has a few major irregularities, and it looks like Hi Hat lost, but.... Yes, this is one of the better Marx Brothers films, although I don't bother with a definitive ranking, as most are of generally excellent quality. Some reviewers complain that the musical portions are too intrusive of the comedy, and unrelated to the story. Louis B. Mayer, among others, believed that even knockabout comedy films should include some classy musical numbers, and that musicals should include some comedy.As with most topnotch comedy teams, the Marx Brothers thrived on members with very different appearance and stage personality. In being silent(except for his horn and whistle) and clown-like in appearance and behavior, Harpo mimics the traditional circus clown and, to a lesser extent, a few of the clowns of silent films. Thus, the Marx Brothers incorporated the potential of silent film comedy into an otherwise talkie comedy. I'm not familiar with any other comedy team of that era that did the same.

utgard14 Classic Marx Bros. comedy with the boys trying to help lovely Maureen O'Sullivan keep her sanitarium open while evil Douglas Dumbrille tries to turn it into a casino. Groucho plays Dr. Hugo Hackenbush, a veterinarian posing as a human doctor to bilk wealthy hypochondriac Margaret Dumont. Their scenes together are priceless, as they always were. Maureen O'Sullivan is perfection in everything and here she brings out a kinder, gentler side of the Marx Bros. Leonard Ceeley is great as Dumbrille's co-conspirator who runs afoul of the Marxes and lives to regret it. Esther Muir is a riot as a blonde floozy who gets more than she bargained for while trying to seduce Groucho. A terrific Marx Bros. film with many memorable lines and scenes, including 'Tutsi Frutsi Ice Cream.' It's a little long but never dull. The musical numbers were never my favorite parts of the Marx films unless they were comedy songs that were part of the story, as in Animal Crackers or Duck Soup. Here, though, there is a great number called "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm." I'm sure it will be controversial to sensitive types today but it's a lively, upbeat number that always puts a smile on my face. It's one of the best musical numbers from any of the Marx films and just one of the many reasons I recommend you see this one.

SnoopyStyle Judy Standish (Maureen O'Sullivan) owns the failing Standish Sanitarium. Her rich most important patient Mrs. Upjohn (Margaret Dumont) is leaving. Judy's boyfriend Gil Stewart (Allan Jones) spends all his money to buy a horse and win big for her. She is dismayed that he abandons his singing. Tony (Chico Marx) overhears Upjohn's praise for Dr. Hackenbush (Groucho Marx) and sends for him who turns out to be a veterinarian. Banker J.D. Morgan (Douglas Dumbrille) is trying to buy out the sanitarium with the help of the scheming manager Whitmore (Leonard Ceeley). Gil gets Stuffy (Harpo Marx) to ride his horse Hi-Hat.Groucho is as snappy as ever. Harpo's physical gags are hilarious. There are some fun long setups like the ice cream bit. When all three get together in the examination, it's a great skit. As always in their movies, there are old fashion musical numbers. Those are not my taste but it's expected. I personally like the musical segments where they inject comedy into them. There is even one with a big cast of black singers and dancers. There are some big laughs although the movie is a bit long.