A Day at the Races (1937)
Director: Sam Wood
This isn't the best of the Marx Brothers. It's a bit too tame, too long, and it is tainted by the unfortunate racist climate of the era.
The two best comedic bits are the phone conversation between the Florida medical board and Whitemore, and the examination of Mrs. Upjohn. The examination sequence descends into true Marxian anarchy, and brings life to this otherwise staid picture. Chico and Harpo's musical number was OK, too. Oh, and I liked Harpo's examination scene, ending with a novocaine shot to the leg.
The other sequence in the movie with real energy is the dance sequence by the barn. It's that sort of contained African-American expression that is regrettable today, but the performers far outclass the musical numbers of their white counterparts.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment