Starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx and Chico Marx
Produced by Paramount Pictures
The famous Captain Spaulding has returned from his latest African adventure and the the hotel run by Mrs. Rittenhouse is pulling out all the stops, including displaying a prestigious painting. But when multiple parties decide the painting may present other business opportunities, does chaos ensue? (Yes. Yes, it does.) And does the plot even matter? (No. No, it does not.)
Animal Crackers is the second feature from the world famous Marx Brothers. Groucho, Zeppo, Harpo and Chico bring their wacky antics and wordplay to a very loosely plotted art forgery/heist plot and lunacy is unleashed.
So, why am I not laughing?
Maybe I am just missing the Marx Brothers' marrow in my funny bone, but after two outings with the troupe, I'm just not feeling it.
I have an objective admiration for the way Groucho constructs a sentence. I can appreciate the way Chico mispronounces and misinterprets words. I understand Harpo as a silent id causing chaos when he appears.
I just don't find any of it funny or even amusing. I feel like any attempt I make to discuss the film makes me sound like Data from Star Trek: "Interesting, captain. Your juxtaposition of those words creates a sort of paradox. Is this what humans refer to as 'humor'?"
All that said, Animal Crackers is better Marx Brothers than The Cocoanuts was. The musical numbers are actually integrated into the plot. The plot actually gets some regular attention throughout. And Groucho does have one scene I loved where he attempts to dictate a letter. Funny stuff.
That said, I'm still not enjoying the Marx Brothers. Animal Crackers is a better effort, but not a good one. I know I've got the classics (Duck Soup and Horse Feathers) yet to come, but I'm approaching these comedies with a healthy dose of trepidation.
** out of *****
Photo from Flickering Myth
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