A Night at the Opera (1935)

Classic Comedy!!!

I happened to catch this on tv the other day and I thought it was pretty good. Groucho Marx is extremely funny! I need to see more of his material eventually, but that's another story for another time. Groucho plays Otis B. Driftwood, which was used in Rob Zombie's 'The Devil's Rejects' Groucho, Harpo, and Chico screw up an opera until Riccardo and Rosa become known. If you love classic comedy, you'll love A NIGHT AT THE OPERA!!! October 3, 2008

The best film ever...

The opera finale is the greatest comic scene ever put on film. Throughout, all aspects of human activity are reduced to absurdist rubble by the brothers. Economically told with musical scenes that are well integrated. Pay close attention to Groucho's sexual innuendo throughout. August 25, 2008

NIGHT AT THE OPERA

Certainly one of the finest Marx Brothers comedies, which are themselves among the finest Hollywood productions, with script by George S. Kaufmann. The three characters are admirably seconded by Margaret Dumont, the unflappable grande dame, and the great character actor, Herbert Gottlieb. Kitty Carlisle [Hart] and Allan Jones do a wonderful duet ALONE.
It is no wonder that T.S.Eliot, when he met Groucho, could only talk about this film. January 25, 2008

classic Marx............

For those of you looking for a great introduction to the brilliant physical comedy (as well as one liners) from the late, great, and legendary Marx Brothers, this film is for you! A NIGHT AT THE OPERA is nothing short of hilarious, as well as beautiful to listen to! This features soprano Kitty Carlisle, as a young opera star, who runs into the Marx Brothers along the way--or, specifically Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx), a "hanger on" who continues to pursue an elderly socialite, Mrs. Claypool (Margaret Dumont). He and his rowdy crew of accomplices--er, assistants--help to bring the beautiful opera singer together with her lover, as well as with critical acclaim. What's more, some of the most beautiful and well-known opera arias are interspersed between the zany shenanigans (this includes "The Anvil Chorus" and "Miserere" from IL TROVATORE).

Some of the scenes from this film have often been replicated in films, as well as television, but no one does it quite as well as the Marx Brothers. They truly put the physical comedians of today to shame. There is a reason that A NIGHT AT THE OPERA has been the recipient of numerous honors on top film lists. Be sure to see it. I have no doubt that you will enjoy it! September 11, 2007

fine--and classic--Marx Brothers comedy

A Night At The Opera is indeed one of the greatest films starring The Marx Brothers. The plot moves along at a good pace; the acting is convincing and the gags are timed to perfection. The actors are well cast and the script shines. Harpo Marx even does his own stunts! Who could ask for anything more?

The action begins presumably in Italy or somewhere in Europe when Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) has increasing difficulty mooching off a wealthy older woman named Mrs. Claypool (Margaret Dumont). Driftwood is supposed to introduce Mrs. Claypool to high society; but all he ever actually does is take his paycheck and stall Mrs. Claypool. Mrs. Claypool is running out of patience; she wants Driftwood to introduce her to high society now that her wealthy husband died and left her eight million dollars. (Why she does this four years after he died and not sooner is left unexplained.) Unfortunately, Otis Driftwood is great at cracking one liners at the expense of Mrs. Claypool--that is, until Mrs. Claypool meets Herbert Gottlieb (Sig Ruman). Eventually Mrs. Claypool is convinced to make a generous donation to an opera company also under the control of Herbert Gottlieb. They sail to New York with Gottlieb's promise to Mrs. Claypool that his star tenor Rodolfo Lassparri (Walter Woolf King) will be a huge financial success. Then Mrs. Claypool will finally look wonderful in the eyes of high society--and Gottlieb just might get his hands on Mrs. Claypool for her money.

But complications arise: Otis Driftwood and two of his peers (Harpo Marx and Chico Marx) tag along on the ocean voyage to America; ever hopeful to win Mrs. Claypool back from the snobby Herbert Gottlieb. Yet another stowaway comes along--Ricardo Baroni (Allan Jones) because he loves opera singer Rosa Castaldi (Kitty Carlisle) even though Rosa is loved and pursued by star tenor Rodolfo Lassparri himself.

What will happen next? Will they all get to America safely? Will the police have to be brought in? How will The Marx Brothers' characters and Ricardo try to convince or manipulate Gottlieb so that Ricardo can be in the opera starring alongside his sweetheart Rosa Castaldi? Will they succeed? No spoilers here, folks--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!

Many reviewers have correctly pointed out the funniest scenes in this movie already; so I won't risk boring you with too many details of them. The choreography shines in the classic stateroom scene in which everyone crowds into Otis B. Driftwood's cabin onboard ship; and the cinematography exceeds my expectations with song and dance numbers including Cosi Cosa on the steamship to America.

The DVD comes with a commentary by Leonard Maltin; and Kitty Carlisle is one of several interesting people who add their own commentary in extra features. You also get Robert Benchley's comedy short entitled How To Sleep and there is another extra short called Sunday Night At The Trocadero with Connie Boswell and a brief cameo by Groucho.

If anybody tells you to skip this film, ignore their advice. A Night At The Opera shines as the very best example of The Marx Brothers doing comedy on film; and the performances by Kitty Carlisle, Sig Ruman and Walter Woolf King enhance the quality of the movie.

Enjoy!
August 15, 2007

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