At The Circus (1939)

The struggling owner (Kenny Baker) of a small circus owes $10,000 to a shady crook (James Burke) who wants to take over the circus. When the owner comes up with the $10,000, the crook has the money stolen so the circus can fall into his hands. Directed by Edward Buzzell (NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER), this is one of the better Marx Brothers vehicles made at MGM. Not as good as A NIGHT AT THE OPERA but there are enough laughs to keep a grin on your face. Alas, MGM didn't seem to trust that the Marx Brothers could hold a movie by themselves so (as with OPERA), they've included a pair of dreary singing young lovers (Baker and Florence Rice) to do whatever they're supposed to do! The best moments include Groucho's rendition of the witty Lydia The Tattooed Lady, his encounter with a circus performer (Eve Arden) and, of course, his interactions with Margaret Dumont are priceless. As expected, Chico Marx plays the piano and Harpo Marx plays the harp and there's always the fast forward button for those segments unless you're watching it in a theatre. With Nat Pendleton and Fritz Feld.