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Animal Crackers Details

1930 Certificate TBC
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 1086 members

Mayhem and zaniness ensue when a valuable painting goes missing during a party in honor of famed African explorer Captain Spaulding. Read more

Starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx
Director Victor Heerman
Genres Comedy

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Animal Crackers

Mayhem and zaniness ensue when a valuable painting goes missing during a party in honor of famed African explorer Captain Spaulding.

Starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Lillian Roth, Margaret Dumont
Director Victor Heerman
Studio UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIDEO
Certificate Certificate TBC
Genres Comedy
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 10 Nov 2003
Production year: 1930
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of Animal Crackers

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    “Hooray for Captain Spaulding, the African explorer...”. “Did someone call me schnorrer?” asks Groucho Marx, making one the movies' greatest-ever entrances. This was the Marx Brothers' first Hollywood movie (the earlier two were both shot in New York; one's now lost), and is a relatively straightforward film version of their Broadway hit of the same name. The requirements of early sound recording render the action somewhat static, but the clowning is irresistible and Margaret Dumont is a perfect foil as Mrs Rittenhouse (did she really not know the film was a comedy?). This is the one where Groucho shoots an elephant in his pyjamas.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 3 stars out of 4

    An excuse for the Marx Brothers, and a lively one in patches, though sedate and stagebound in treatment. The boys are all in top form, and many of the dialogue exchanges are classics.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Animal Crackers

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Must See Classic Old Comedy

    I guess the Marx Brothers might be one of those things you either love or don't. So if you've never seen one of their films why not find out and I hope you find you love them like I do. This is a good one to start with, though my favourite is actually Horse Feathers.

    Its hard to describe the films its just best to see it for yourself.

    The brothers are: Groucho who is always the superior brother usually pitted against the others. He delivers (those famously quotable) cutting remarks with the greatest of charm and as with all of them has an eye for the ladies.

    Chico is cheeky and always plotting and with his sidekick Harpo provides the slapstick comedy. He also plays the piano with much talent and fun and Harpo, so called because he plays the harp of all things, accompanies him. Harpo doesn't ever talk but communicates by a honker and delightful facial expressions. He is shy and sweet and uses his dumb quality to do cheeky things.

    The films plots and other characters are not what are important they are all just a vehicle for the Marx Brothers to do their thing. (Though by the time they get to Duck Soup they've completely lost the plot.)

    The combination of the clever dialogue, slapstick action, the brother's characterisitcs and the silly situations should have you laughing.

      • A customer from Stowmarket, England
      • Posted 29 Feb 2004 20:29

  • Most recent members' review of Animal Crackers

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Extremely funny

    For my mind Horse Feathers is up there with Duck Soup as the Marx Brothers at their finest. At only just over an hour long, the film manages to cram in a load of witty exchanges and plenty of slapstick humour, including a gag with a seal that would have animal rights activists boycotting the cinemas today.

    Groucho plays the new head of a college who decides that the best way to improve the school?s image is to get together a winning football team, even if it means drafting in some ringers. Of course he gets the wrong people and much chaos ensues.

    The quality of the film editing suffers at a couple of points, with the picture and dialogue jumping a bit, and the customary musical sequences are enjoyable but may seem a little old-fashioned to some viewers, but apart from these points the film is a joyous frenzy of humour for everyone.

      • Paul Meredith from Halifax
      • Posted 31 Aug 2004 15:30

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