hhg2 I love the Marx Brothers, but I suppose that means I need to qualify that I love the Marx Brothers circa 1929-1937. You can read about the demise of their funny movie-making as a result of Irving Thalberg's untimely demise or the antipathy of Louis Mayer elsewhere.I can't recall if I saw this picture early on and then forgot about it or not, but I did have the misfortune to revisit it recently as TCM had a tribute to their films. All I can say is horrible. I might have had a chuckle or two, but I did not have a full laugh throughout the picture. I can only recommend this one for die-hard fans who want to see the Marx's entire oeuvre. Too many musical numbers and too few belly-shaking laughs, I'm afraid to report.

vitachiel Unnecessary unconnected scenes and totally out-of-place romantic musical numbers make this movie an awkward watch. It doesn't help when Groucho Marx is given almost nothing to work with; his usual lame and flavorless jokes now descend to a level where you can only feel sorry for the guy.Harpo and Chico do not have very inspired material to work with either, but the chemistry and pace of their scenes partly make up for that. In addition, their characters have a more sympathetic feel to them than in previous movies, which adds to their likableness.With a Marx Brothers movie entitled 'At the Circus', you would expect more quaint circus acts, especially when you have a clown as Harpo in your midst. Unfortunately, the only memorable circus scene is at the end, when a sensational trapeze act is performed by all three Marx Brothers ánd Margaret Dumont (!) As usual, my favorite scene involves Harpo Marx playing his harp. This is sheer original and bewildering music. He should make an album with these pieces, with Chico accompanying him on the piano… ;)

TheLittleSongbird I have been vocal before about my love for The Marx Brothers, but while I liked At the Circus on the whole it is also a little disappointing and lacks the exuberance evident in an outing like A Night at the Opera and Duck Soup.My main problem with At the Circus is a similar problem to that I had with A Day at the Races- too many musical interludes. Don't get me wrong I like musical interludes but not when there are too many and cause the film to drag, which was the problem here. Some of them are nice and memorable, but others feel like filler and serve no real purpose. My next problem is to do with this somewhat, the exuberance is missing, not entirely but it is missing and consequently the film becomes rather sluggish. And the story isn't really anything special and seems restricted.However, it is striking visually, the incidental scoring is very nice and the dialogue is humorous and quotable. Also the gags are great, the end scene is quite violent but it is good enough, but acquitting themselves even better are Groucho's elephantine flirtations with Margaret Dumont(in another sterling supporting performance!) and his charming rendition of "Lydia the Tattooed Lady". The trio are still splendid, even if some of the humour is less playful than usual, and their personalities come through loud and clear.All in all, it is good and very entertaining, but I don't think it is the Marx Brothers' best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

horrorfilmx Which is to say, neither the Marx Brothers' best nor their worst, but the end of their great period and the beginning of their decline. MGM was simply a studio that (with few exceptions) didn't understand comedy. After this GO WEST has its moments, but THE BIG STORE is nearly a complete waste of time (and when I say "nearly" I'm being charitable --- offhand I can't thing of a single good thing to say about it).AT THE CIRCUS, on the other, hand, still has many things to recommend it, if you have the iron will it takes to sit through the incredibly schmaltzy and irritating "love" angle. Lots of funny one liners, Harpo riding around on an ostrich and bopping people with his horn, the problematic "Swingali" number (which offends many people but somehow only makes me reflect that Harpo transcends racial barriers), a guy in a gorilla suit, and last but very, very far from least, "Lydia the Tattooed Lady".For that number alone you should see this movie. Of course if you're a Marx fan you've seen it anyway --- you've probably even seen LOVE HAPPY.Ugh.