Directed by Edward Buzzell. Starring Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Kenny Baker, Florence Rice, Margaret Dumont, Eve Arden, Nat Pendleton, James Burke, Fritz Field, Jerry Maren.
Marx Brothers take their madhouse antics to the circus world; Baker (not to be confused for the Kenny who plays R2-D2) tediously romances Rice, Burke plots against him, a guy in a gorilla suit swings on a trapeze, the usual. Groucho is in fine form, landing several choice one-liners (including a classic breaking-the-fourth-wall gag targeting the Hays Code) and belting out "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," his best song-and-dance number since "Duck Soup." Unfortunately, Chico and Harpo are mostly wasted (the latter is often upstaged by animals, especially a clever seal); peerless foil Dumont doesn't show up until almost an hour in, but her scenes with Groucho are still winners. Some gags are dated, most of the songs are signals to take a bathroom break. At the time of its release, the weakest effort yet for the venerable comedy troupe, but the trend would continue downward for the next couple years.
58/100
Marx Brothers take their madhouse antics to the circus world; Baker (not to be confused for the Kenny who plays R2-D2) tediously romances Rice, Burke plots against him, a guy in a gorilla suit swings on a trapeze, the usual. Groucho is in fine form, landing several choice one-liners (including a classic breaking-the-fourth-wall gag targeting the Hays Code) and belting out "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," his best song-and-dance number since "Duck Soup." Unfortunately, Chico and Harpo are mostly wasted (the latter is often upstaged by animals, especially a clever seal); peerless foil Dumont doesn't show up until almost an hour in, but her scenes with Groucho are still winners. Some gags are dated, most of the songs are signals to take a bathroom break. At the time of its release, the weakest effort yet for the venerable comedy troupe, but the trend would continue downward for the next couple years.
58/100