IF MEMORY SERVES us correctly, this was the last Marx Brothers romp to be shown on the 'tube'. It finally got on TV via CBS Late Movie sometime in the mid to late 70's. It followed (roughly in this order) the MGM's, ROOM SERVICE (frpm RKO), the Paramount 5 and LOVE HAPPY.*
THERE IS AN old saying that there's no such thing as an old joke; providing that one hasn't heard it yet. So then,it follows that the same sort of logic holds true when we are talking movie; for in much the same way, it is what is new to the individual is that which is unknown.
THE FILM IS an independent production, released through United Artists. It was made years after MGM's THE BIG STORE; which was announced as being the last Marx cinematic collaboration, their last movie as a team. Although MGM head honcho, Louis B. Mayer, who personally hated the brothers, believed this to be true, there were others who wouldn't accept this as Gospel.
WISELY, THE STORY remained true to Marxian tradition and lore; while at the same time the production allowed for whatever affects from Mother and Father would have. (We're speaking, of course, about Mother Nature and Father Time.) The situations were appropriately adapted to some guys who were obviously a little more "middle aged".
THIS IS NOT to say that the gags weren't good and truly "Marxian"; it's that there was an obvious attempt to dial it down a notch, just enough to make it all seem just a trifle more "believable" (if this isn't being an obviously oxymoron of a concept).*
REMEMBERING THAT ANY familiarity with the Marxes came to us, all known as 'Baby Boomers'' from Television, discovering their films (all of them)was sort of like taking a trip back in time.
WE JUST WISH that there had been some more of these "little", independent productions following A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA.**
NOTE:* Some of our favourite gags would be: Harpo's being asked if he thinks that he is holding up the building, Chico & Harpo's packing and unpacking of Sig Ruman's luggage and Groucho's extended interplay with actor Paul Harvey; who took exception with the remarks made about his wife. The production team also knew how to wrap it all up, leaving the audience laughing! (If you don't know it, see it!)
NOTE** Therre was a story, mainly circulated by Groucho, that Warner Brothers had threatened to sue over the use of 'Casablanca' in the title. The 'objections' were being registered because of Warnrers' 1942 Oscar winning film, CASABLANCA, with Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bdergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, etc.,etc. Even Groucho mentioned in his book, THE GROUCHO LETTERS, many years later; it was all eventually exposed as a publicity stunt.
THERE IS AN old saying that there's no such thing as an old joke; providing that one hasn't heard it yet. So then,it follows that the same sort of logic holds true when we are talking movie; for in much the same way, it is what is new to the individual is that which is unknown.
THE FILM IS an independent production, released through United Artists. It was made years after MGM's THE BIG STORE; which was announced as being the last Marx cinematic collaboration, their last movie as a team. Although MGM head honcho, Louis B. Mayer, who personally hated the brothers, believed this to be true, there were others who wouldn't accept this as Gospel.
WISELY, THE STORY remained true to Marxian tradition and lore; while at the same time the production allowed for whatever affects from Mother and Father would have. (We're speaking, of course, about Mother Nature and Father Time.) The situations were appropriately adapted to some guys who were obviously a little more "middle aged".
THIS IS NOT to say that the gags weren't good and truly "Marxian"; it's that there was an obvious attempt to dial it down a notch, just enough to make it all seem just a trifle more "believable" (if this isn't being an obviously oxymoron of a concept).*
REMEMBERING THAT ANY familiarity with the Marxes came to us, all known as 'Baby Boomers'' from Television, discovering their films (all of them)was sort of like taking a trip back in time.
WE JUST WISH that there had been some more of these "little", independent productions following A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA.**
NOTE:* Some of our favourite gags would be: Harpo's being asked if he thinks that he is holding up the building, Chico & Harpo's packing and unpacking of Sig Ruman's luggage and Groucho's extended interplay with actor Paul Harvey; who took exception with the remarks made about his wife. The production team also knew how to wrap it all up, leaving the audience laughing! (If you don't know it, see it!)
NOTE** Therre was a story, mainly circulated by Groucho, that Warner Brothers had threatened to sue over the use of 'Casablanca' in the title. The 'objections' were being registered because of Warnrers' 1942 Oscar winning film, CASABLANCA, with Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bdergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, etc.,etc. Even Groucho mentioned in his book, THE GROUCHO LETTERS, many years later; it was all eventually exposed as a publicity stunt.