Marx Brothers- Night At The Opera on DVD (1935)

Simon Glen from Falkirk Scotland , 03/02/2005

A Night at the Opera is reknowned as the greatest of the Marx Brothers movies. It signalled a change in the team (Goodbye Zeppo), and a change in the way the films were constructed (less musical and vaudville elements and a bit of a stronger storyline). But what didn't change was the three characters of Harpo, Chico and Groucho. Harpo is the 'id' personified (as they note on the excellent DVD extras), running everywhere, hitting everyone, and always honking that horn. Chico is the stereotype of an Italian American on the make- always looking for an angle, and a chick to chase. And (my favourite) Groucho is the ultimate in wise cracking New Yorkers. Even watching him now you are struck by the speed and smoothness of his delivery and the 'acidity' of his remarks.

It is old fashioned and it does retain showcase sections for Harpo on the harp and Chico on the piano, but if you are looking for good (almost) clean fun then I can't recommend this highly enough.

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

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Tench6lbs from Caerphilly , 28/10/2004

I was very disappointed to find only one hour of material on the first disc. Consequently I have put the other discs in the set to the back of the queue. I have a VHS tape with over two hours of biography on the Marx Bros. Considering it is possible to have up to 3 hours on a disc, I am surprised that the producers made the mistake of failing to use the space to give more biographical detail.

This will influence whether I buy the set - unless the rest of the discs are better value, I won't!

  5 out of 6 people found this review helpful

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SiAng from Lincolnshire , 07/01/2005

First of all, this features no complete Marx Brothers films, which was disappointing. Rather, this is a career overview, with clips from all the films and other projects.

As an introduction, it is pretty good as it charts the rise and fall of the brother's popularity and quality. It is informative as to which films to watch, and provides context and some interesting snippets, e.g. the brothers starring alongside a young Marilyn Monroe, and playing tennis with Charlie Chaplin and Fred Perry. Plus the "sell-out" footage of the aging brothers in various commercials gives an enduring impression of stars on the way down. If only this showed more of them when they were up!

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Holywell, Wales , 27/07/2005

My dad recommended this film to me because it is 'a work of genius'. However, it is a good film but not a particulary funny one. The jokes have been used a million times since, it was probably funny of its time, now it just seems silly. I can see why some people would find it funny, but i just didn't laugh. however, my dad disagree's saying that i'm too 'young' to understand the humour so if your a 17 year old lad looking for a laugh, rent something else. if your a 50 year old man, who likes silly comedies, get this.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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SiAng from Lincolnshire , 07/01/2005

First of all, this features no complete Marx Brothers films, which was disappointing. Rather, this is a career overview, with clips from all the films and other projects.

As an introduction, it is pretty good as it charts the rise and fall of the brother's popularity and quality. It is informative as to which films to watch, and provides context and some interesting snippets, e.g. the brothers starring alongside a young Marilyn Monroe, and playing tennis with Charlie Chaplin and Fred Perry. Plus the "sell-out" footage of the aging brothers in various commercials gives an enduring impression of stars on the way down. If only this showed more of them when they were up!

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Newport, Shropshire. , 02/01/2006

As funny now as it must have been then.

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