Contains the titles: Duck Soup: captures some of the Marx Brothers' zaniest routines and funniest quips creating a laugh-out-loud spectacle of politics gone haywire. Backed by wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale Groucho becomes the leader of Freedonia quickly frustrating his cabinet and offending the aggressive neighboring country to the point of war. Chico and Harpo sent by the rival country spy on Groucho and try to steal his battle plans but when war does come loyalties beco
"The old ones are definitely the best". This comment not only applies to comedy in general but also to the works of the Marx Brothers specifically in that most commentators agree that their earlier films out rank their later efforts where silly things like plots and love stories got in the way of the riotous comedy and anarchy.
Such commentators will no doubt be pleased with this collection of four of the five earliest Marx Brother films. Unfortunately, the very first film "The Coconuts" is missing from this collection but since that is the weakest of the first five films, that omission is not too depressing. The later films, which include the seminal, "A Day at the Races" and "A Night at the Opera" are available in another box set.
The films that are included - "Animal Crackers" (1930), "Monkey Business" (1931), "Horse Feathers" (1932) and "Duck Soup" (1933) - are well presented in a novel case, which includes postcards of the original film posters. Trailers are also included for some of the films but that aside there is a depressing lack of extras with all such materials sold separately in another box set! So what about the films themselves?
"Animal Crackers" (1930) contains many great lines, fantastic slapstick and Groucho"s famous "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" routine. The plot for what it is worth figures around a stolen painting and comic misunderstandings. "Animal Crackers" is not quite as tight as it should be and the fact that it is the longest film in this collection is not a benefit. Nevertheless, this classic film is far superior to most modern comedies.
"Monkey Business" (1931) is a strange Marx Brothers film as it opens with all the four Marx Brothers together operating as a team throughout the film. As a result, the laughs come quick and fast as the films dispenses with the need for introductions! The slapstick and silent humour from Harpo Marx in this film is among the best in film history.
"Horse Feathers" (1932) fits the pattern of most Marx Brothers films with the brothers playing unrelated roles. Here there are one-liners galore with Groucho on top form as the President of Huxley College. There are some wonderful scenes of comic farce as the brothers enter and re-enter the bedroom. The ending seems a bit rushed but that aside this is an excellent chance to see the four Marx Brothers in all their comic glory!
"Duck Soup" (1933) is, in my humble opinion, not only the best Marx Brother"s film but is also one of the best films of all time. Everything one expects from a Marx Brothers film is here in bucket loads. The plot is tight and well executed and the physical humour is outstanding, especially the mirror scene, the scene with the ice-cream seller and the hilarious scene where Harpo and Chico meet their boss. The verbal comedy is also priceless - every word Groucho utters is hilarious. Furthermore, this is one of the few films where the songs are an actual advantage! The political satire included is sharp and the general humour is simply unbeatable. This is a film you could watch weekly without tiring of it! It is quite simply superb.
In sum, these four films are not only some of the best Marx Brothers films but they are also some of the best films of all time. Despite the lack of extras, this package presents these four classics in a way that will thrill a new generation of fans. Put simply, your life is not complete if you have not seen "Duck Soup" and your DVD collection is not complete unless you own this seminal box set.
We will publish your review of The Marx Brothers Collection [1930] on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
A collection of four classic films from the Brother Marks. 'Animal Crackers' (1930), their second film, is an adaptation of their Broadway hit. Mrs Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) is throwing a high society party, at which African explorer Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho) is the guest of honour. When a valuable painting is stolen from the house, Spaulding teams up with Italian musician Emanual Ravelli (Chico) and the eccentric Professor (Harpo) to track down the thieves - in between trading insults with their fellow guests and generally creating mayhem. 'Monkey Business' (1931), their third film (and their first original screenplay), features them as stowaways aboard a luxury ocean liner. While Groucho, Chico and Harpo create mayhem attempting to escape the clutches of the captain and crew, Zeppo embarks on a romance with Mary Helton - daughter of retired gangster Joe Helton. When rival gang leader Alky Briggs hatches a plot to kidnap Mary and hold her to ransom, it is up to the boys to save the day! 'Horse Feathers' (1932), their fourth film, sees them creating havoc on campus in a high school college comedy. The new president of Huxley college, Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho) soon sets about attending to important school business; namely, winning the school their first football game since 1888. On the advice of his son (Zeppo), he enters a local speakeasy, intending to bribe a couple of professional players to make the college team. What he ends up with instead are inept dog catcher Harpo and ice delivery man Chico. However, the duo prove invaluable when Wagstaff becomes romantically involved with the scheming Connie Bailey (Thelma Todd), a college widow who is secretly in league with Huxley's chief rivals, Darwin. Finally, their fifth film, 'Duck Soup' (1933) is a zany political satire, which so offended Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini that the film was banned in Italy. Appointed president of Freedonia under the patronage of the wealthy Mrs Teasdale (Dumont), Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) sets about starting a war with neighbouring Sylvania. To this end he trades insults with Sylvanian ambassador Trentino (Louis Calhern), unaware that Trentino's spies Chicolini (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) are already working to bring down Freedonia from within! This was the Marxes' final one for Paramount Studios, includes the classic mirror sequence and was also the last to feature Zeppo, who - dissatisfied with his role as straight man to his three siblings - subsequently embarked on a successful career as an agent.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
