ZEPPO/MARX BROTHERS PRESENTATION 'ANIMAL CRACKERS'

Title: ANIMAL CRACKERS Year: 1930 Rating: ***

The Marx Brothers ANIMAL CRACKERS is basically their hangout movie, seeming like a grand Broadway showcase with elaborate sets, mostly of a giant mansion interior celebrating Groucho as a famous big game hunter, introduced by his assistant played by straight-man brother Zeppo...

What's ironic is there's a kind of standard-handsome young actor named Hal Thompson whose relationship with beautiful Lilian Roth would have fit Zeppo instead of the few scenes as Groucho's note-scribbling gopher...

Margaret Dumont and Zeppo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS with Groucho Marx

Meanwhile Harpo and Chico get to show off their incredible musical talent with harp and piano solos... making this feature an introductory presentation to the talents on board, despite being their second feature...

But once again it's regular Margaret Dumont, here as the fancy rich lady throwing the party who, while once again is the thankless brunt of Groucho's hit-and-miss one-liners, does the most work overall, not only soaking the barbs but progressing the expository plot-line about stolen paintings... that mean very little compared to all the running around.

Margaret Dumont and Zeppo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Groucho and Zeppo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Margaret Dumont and Zeppo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Lilian Roth and Hal Thompson in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Harpo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Chico Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS

Groucho Marx and Zeppo Marx in ANIMAL CRACKERS