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Format: Laserdisc
Not Rated
Recording Mode: (unknown) |
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Details
Movie Description
While DUCK SOUP has risen to become emblematic of the Marx Brothers at their zaniest, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA represents the brothers at their finest. Under the inspired supervision of the boy genius Irving Thalberg, the script was penned by two of Hollywood's wittiest screenwriters, George Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind; the production values are substantially greater than in previous Marx Brothers works; the romantic leads, Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones, are charming, first-rate stars; the supporting cast, led by Margaret Dumont, Sig Rumann, and Herman Gottlieb, turn in excellent performances; and the bent of the humor is honed from the surreal to a pointed attack on the lifestyles of the wealthy. The circuslike stateroom scene is among the funniest in motion-picture history. Harpo's performance of the hit song "Alone" is perhaps his finest harp solo. Directed by Sam Wood, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA was the Marx Brothers' greatest commercial and critical success.
Film Notes
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1993.
With their most recent films fairing poorly at the box office, the Marx Brothers had been released by Paramount. This might have proved to be the end of their career, but they were picked up by MGM largely because Chico Marx and Irving Thalberg were good friends.
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA was the brothers' first film without Zeppo, who had left the group to become an agent.
The comic pieces in the film were fine-tuned via live performances. For eight weeks before shooting began, the cast and writers toured the country, presenting performances and altering the bits in response to the reception from various audiences.
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