Love Happy (1949)

A mute man (Harpo Marx) steals some food for an impoverished theatrical company. Among the food items stolen is a can of sardines which contains a diamond necklace worth a million dollars! An elegant international beauty (Ilona Massey) and her henchmen (Raymond Burr, Bruce Gordon) are also after the diamonds and kidnap the mute who doesn't know what the sardine tin contains. Directed by David Miller (LONELY ARE THE BRAVE), this was the 13th and final film starring the Marx Brothers. Alas, it's a weak vehicle. Frank Tashlin (THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT) may have co-written the screenplay but there's none of the animated madness that infuses his best films. The movie really belongs to Harpo and to a lesser degree, Chico. Groucho Marx is barely in the film. For me, a little Harpo goes a long way and as the movie neared its end, he had definitely worn out his welcome. Musically, the highlight isn't Harpo on the harp or Chico on the piano but a Sadie Thompson dance number featuring Vera Ellen. With a pre-stardom Marilyn Monroe (who gets introducing billing), Marion Hutton (Betty's sister), Melville Cooper, Eric Blore and Paul Valentine.