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Room Service
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Room Service (1938) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   1,739 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Room Service on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 1938 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Better . . . Battier . . . Funnier Than Ever !
Plot:
A penniless theatrical producer must outwit the hotel efficiency expert trying to evict him from his room, while securing a backer for his new play. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
The Alamo Guide for November 20th!
 (From AlamoDrafthouseCinema. 19 November 2009, 7:13 PM, PST)

Marini Sure To Upset As Playboy's New Cad
 (From WENN. 12 October 2009, 6:31 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Not Their Worst, But Not Up To Par, Either more (32 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Groucho Marx ... Gordon Miller

Chico Marx ... Harry Binelli

Harpo Marx ... Faker Englund

Lucille Ball ... Christine Marlowe

Ann Miller ... Hilda Manny
Frank Albertson ... Leo Davis
Cliff Dunstan ... Joseph Gribble
Donald MacBride ... Gregory Wagner
Philip Loeb ... Timothy Hogarth
Philip Wood ... Simon Jenkins
Alexander Asro ... Sasha Smirnoff
Charles Halton ... Dr. Glass
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stanley Blystone ... Policeman in Alley (uncredited)
Phoebe Campbell ... Extra (uncredited)
Clyde Courtright ... Extra (uncredited)
Josephine DeKarr ... Extra (uncredited)
Eddie Dunn ... Extra (uncredited)
Paul Everton ... Formally-dressed man in play (uncredited)
Cliff Herd ... Extra (uncredited)
Donald Kerr ... Bellboy (uncredited)
Bruce Mitchell ... Detective (uncredited)
Frank Otto ... Bank Messenger (uncredited)
Tom Quinn ... Extra (uncredited)
Constantine Romanoff ... Extra (uncredited)
William Ruhl ... Detective (uncredited)
Eddie Saunders ... Extra (uncredited)
Willard St. Claire ... Extra (uncredited)
Jean Stevens ... Extra (uncredited)
Max Wagner ... Detective (uncredited)
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Directed by
William A. Seiter 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Allen Boretz  play "Room Service"
John Murray  play "Room Service"
Morrie Ryskind  writer

Cinematography by
J. Roy Hunt 
 
Film Editing by
George Crone 
 
Art Direction by
Van Nest Polglase 
 
Costume Design by
Renié (gowns)
 
Production Management
Pandro S. Berman .... executive in charge of production
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James H. Anderson .... assistant director (as James Anderson)
 
Art Department
Alfred Herman .... associate art director (as Al Herman)
Darrell Silvera .... set dresser
 
Sound Department
John L. Cass .... sound recordist
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Louie Anderson .... grip (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Roy Webb .... musical director
 
Other crew
Philip Loeb .... assistant to director
Tom Casey .... stand-in (uncredited)
Dick Crockett .... stand-in (uncredited)
Alice Eldridge .... stand-in (uncredited)
Jack King .... stand-in (uncredited)
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Runtime:
78 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Victor System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Eddie Albert, best known as Oliver Douglas on TV's "Green Acres" (1965) costarring Eva Gabor, was in the original 1937 Broadway cast as Leo Davis, the playwright. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Gordon Miller calls to reception pretending to be Dr. Glass, he is holding the phone receiver with his right hand. Seconds later, when he is about to hang up, he is holding it with his left hand. more
Quotes:
Hilda Manny: If I don't come back you'll know it's good news.
Gordon Miller: And if you do come back bring four bottles of poison.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997) (V) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 7 people found the following review useful.
Not Their Worst, But Not Up To Par, Either, 16 November 2006
6/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

didn't think this was one of the Marx Brothes better films, but it wasn't their worst, either. One thing different: no harp playing from Harpo and no singing from Groucho. That's okay with me, anyway, since I watch these movies for the comedy, not the music. The only musical number was "Swing Long, Sweet Chariot" near the end of the movie.

There are some funny scenes in here, but not enough of them. Too much of the film takes place in one room. This is like a play and it begins to drag after an hour. Donald McBride, with his constant gruff voice and shouting, grates on you after awhile, too.

Lucille Ball is in here, and I always didn't recognize her. She looked very young (which she was!).

Overall, the film has entertainment value but, personally, I would rather watch the boys' others films.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (32 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Room Service (1938)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Lucille Ball! Luckyboots
Just viewed it pacomj
The publisher??? raptor147
I'll give you the best performance there's ever been in a hotel bedroom' carolyn_davis2
A different song in the soundtrack? yokomitz
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