Amazon.co.uk Review
Animal Crackers, the second Marx Brothers classic, has Groucho playing Captain Spaulding (an inside joke pertaining to a renowned Hollywood drug pusher), whose song "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" became his signature anthem. Despite its staginess, it has some hilarious gags as the boys try to solve the mystery of a stolen painting among the high-society crowd. Some of the highlights include Groucho's African lecture about shooting an elephant in his pyjamas, and a wacky card game between Harpo, Chico and the always-gullible Margaret Dumont. The musical interludes here don't seem as awkward as in later films. It's really quite charming watching Chico and Harpo show off their graceful talents. --
Bill Desowitz In Duck Soup Groucho plays Rufus T Firefly, the dictator of the small nation Freedonia. The country is a disaster, in financial disrepair, and the wealthy Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is its benefactor and the object of Firefly's shrewd affection. When the leader of the neighbouring Sylvania decides he's in love with Mrs Teasdale, Firefly declares war. The movie, from 1933, is tremendously satirical, a play on politics and war. Full of witty lines, great sight gags and even some snazzy song numbers, this is surely among the best--if not the best--the Marx Brothers have to offer. --Jenny Brown
Imagine Groucho as the president of a college and Harpo and Chico as football players. It doesn't get much wackier than this. Horse Feathers, indeed. Groucho is hilarious to watch as a hip professor. He's at his most rebellious singing "Whatever it is, I'm against it". Thelma Todd does some of her best vamping to help fix the big football game, which Harpo and Chico are supposed to throw. Naturally, the brothers have other ideas. For sheer laughter, this has to rate almost as high as Duck Soup, with the memorable speakeasy sequence, and the funniest football finale of all time, complete with banana peels and a chariot. --Bill Desowitz
Synopsis
A box set featuring 'Animal Crackers', 'Duck Soup' and 'Horse Feathers'.
![Night at Opera/Day at Races [VHS] [1935]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z920TA9JL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
VHS ~ The Marx Brothers
