"Best Marx Bros flim?" Topic

Well, a flurry of other TMP threads got me thinking…

I really need to expose my kids to the Marx Bros! I have shown them the 3 Stooges (which they love), Bob Hope (They think Ghost Breakers is hilarious) and the classic mysteries (Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto, Thin Man series).

But which Marx Bros flick to start with?

I have never been a big fan of Duck Soup.

So I was thinking of one of these:
1) The Big Store
2) A Night at the Opera
3) A Night in Casablanca
4) A Day at the Races
5) At the Circus

Or is there another one I should be thinking about?

Duck Soup. That's what got my kids hooked 4 years ago. The trouble is that none of the rest are quite as funny

Of these, I've only seen "A Night at the Opera," which is terrific. Of course, if your kids happen to believe in a certain red-suited jolly fat man with a sleigh, they might be confused by the "Sanity Clause" line— or it might just pass over their heads.

How verbally astute are your kids? The Marx brothers do engage in slapstick, but the better part of their humor (and their better humor) is through wordplay and fast banter, which can be lost on children.

"Hurrah for Captain Spaulding!"

Duck Soap gets my vote as well

Why I once shot and Elephant in my pajamas…..

"How he got in my pajamas I'll never know"

Duck Soup and Night at the Opera

The Marx Brothers are one of my three all time favorite comedy teams, along with The Three Stooges and Monty Python.

My vote for funniest Marx Brothers films, in order, are:

1) Duck Soup. "I can see you bending over a hot stove. But I can't see the stove."
And then there's the mirror scene with Groucho and Harpo.
2) Horsefeathers. "It's the name of a fish."
3) Cocoanuts. "Vhy a duck? Vhy-a no chicken?"
4) A Day At the Races. "Is there a doctor in the house?" "Why, is there a horse in the house?"
5) Animal Crackers. "Take this chest."

Duck Soup or Horsefeathers. They can't make them like that anymore.

Tom

My wife and I 'banter' all the time, not as fast, but the kids are able to keep up…

Duck Soup and Night At The Opera.

I'd love to see this one though:
link

Couldn't say as I've never been able to watch one of their films for more than a few minutes.

duck soup

Sorry richarDMB, Duck Soup is a clear winner for me too.

Duck Soup.

Another vote for "Duck Soup". I think it's their most accessible film for kids.

I know I'm in the Minoritry here,
but I've always enjoyed 'The Big Store' the most,
and consider 'Duck Soup' almost unwatchable….

Hey! I'm surprised that no one's mentioned 'Monkey Business' yet! Here's the Wikipedia entry for it:

link

And here's something on YouTube for you and the kids to test drive before you make that purchase:

YouTube link

I also nominate 'Animal Crackers', 'Horse Feathers', 'A Night at the Opera', and 'A Day at the Races'. Also, look into 'Room Service', too, as it has a really funny eating scene. 'Duck Soup' is alright, but they won't get the subtle political humor in it.

Good luck and enjoy the movies with your kids, richarDMB!

Duck Soup,"Oh,your Excellency.." "You're not so bad yerself." Horse Feathers,"Whatever it is,I'm against it.." A Day AtThe Races-"I'm only a horse doctor,but marry me and I'll never look at another horse." ;^)

I also say go with Monkey Business since you don't love Duck Soup. A Night at the Opera is also one of their absolute best.

If you DO watch Monkey Business then follow it up with Stanley Tucci's wonderful The Imposters. It's a hilarious modern send up of the classic Marx stow away movie and is one of my favorite "undiscovered" flicks.

I would avoid 1, 2, and 3, as they are generally considered second raters by most Marx Brothers fans. Your mileage may vary, of course.

YouTube link

As Duck Soup is off the list (and too subtle for children anyway), A Night At The Opera is a good second choice as long as they (and you ;]) can stand the love story *rolling eyes*. Otherwise, Horsefeathers is a good one, as is Monkey Business.

Oh, and personally, I don't *mind* the later ones too much, even if they're off their game a little bit, but they're certainly not up to the standards of the earlier works by a long shot. I don't know if I can recommend A Day At The Races for kids wholeheartedly, unless you want to start a discussion on the portrayal of race in the 1930s.

Not that it's a big deal to me, personally, but it might not be everyone's cup of hot beverage.

My favorite has always been Animal Crackers.

"One woman and one man was good enough for your grandmother. But who wants to marry your grandmother? Nobody."

All the ones with Margaret Dumont.

Mrs. Potter in The Cocoanuts (1929),
Mrs. Rittenhouse in Animal Crackers (1930),
Mrs. Gloria Teasdale in Duck Soup (1933),
Mrs. Claypool in A Night at the Opera (1935),
Emily Upjohn in A Day at the Races (1937),
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury in At the Circus (1939),
Martha Phelps in The Big Store (1941).

Duck Soup and Animal Crackers are my favorites.Actually I like them all,I can never get enough of Chico playing the piano,even with an orange!

They are all good. It is hard to choose just one.

Das Kapital