At the Circus (1939)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Edward Buzzell

Writer:

Irving Brecher (writer)

Release Date:

20 October 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Musical

Tagline:

NOT SUITABLE FOR GENERAL EXHIBITION (Australian one-sheet poster)

Plot:

The Marx Brothers try to help the owner of a circus recover some stolen funds before he finds himself out of a job.

Plot Keywords:

Circus | Marx Brothers | Gorilla | Shyster | Stolen Money

Cast

Groucho Marx	...	Attorney Loophole
Chico Marx	...	Antonio
Harpo Marx	...	'Punchy'
Kenny Baker	...	Jeff Wilson
Florence Rice	...	Julie Randall
Eve Arden	...	Peerless Pauline
Margaret Dumont	...	Mrs. Dukesbury
Nat Pendleton	...	Goliath
Fritz Feld	...	Jardinet
James Burke	...	John Carter
Jerry Maren	...	Little Professor Atom (as Jerry Marenghi)
Barnett Parker	...	Whitcomb
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Byron Foulger	...	Courtroom clerk (scenes deleted) (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

A Day at the Circus (USA) (working title)
The Marx Brothers at the Circus (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (certificate #5436)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The scene in the midget's trailer was the only time Harpo Marx was even vaguely heard on-screen (when he sneezes).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jeff first gets on the train, his badge keeps changing position on his coat.

Quotes:

Antonio Pirelli: If you please, Mistah Carter?
John Carter: What do you want?
Antonio Pirelli: Can I have a month off next August?
John Carter: What for?
Antonio Pirelli: Well, you see, my lawyer, he got-a me a divorce, and one month every year I win the custody of my wife's parents.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Undead (#9.6)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Tiger Rag

First Marx Brothers Film I Saw..and it was amazing.

This is one of the most hilarious comedies I've ever seen. Sure, as others have said, the romantic stuff isn't so great, but the stuff with the Marx Brothers, especially Groucho, is genius. One of my favorite scenes was the one where Groucho walks on the ceiling with that highly attractive circus perfomer. Plus, the ending, with the gorilla and the whacky final fate of the orchestra, is awe inspiring, as far as comedy goes. (Which is damn far!) Anyway, a great film.