Considered by some to be the Marx Brother's finest hour (and a half), A Night at the Opera is a very funny showcase for the trio's talents (this being the first film without Zeppo Marx). They showcased, practised and fine-tuned all the jokes and routines before a live crowd before a single frame of film was shot, and this shows with the comfort and ease with which this film flows. Groucho runs verbal rings around the society opera types, while Harpo and Chico cause general mayhem. The big comedic set-piece involves a tiny room, and 15 different people cramming in, with naturally humerous results. The musical interludes are slightly dull and slow the generally frenetic pace down, but overall A Night at the Opera can still raise laughs nearly 75 years after it's original release, and is well worth a watch.
A Night at the Opera (1935)
A Night at the Opera Reviews
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