![]() ![]() Thalberg also took the novel approach of taking the film ‘on the road’ to try out the jokes and storyline before production began. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind), but insisted on a more classical narrative structure, along with a romantic sub-plot. He let them choose their favourite writers for the film (George S. Thalberg didn’t want ‘good guy’ characters copping it from the Marx Brothers, and believed that the boys needed ways of getting the audience on side with them from the beginning of the film. He was also worried that the brothers’ characters came off as too mean-spirited, as their comic insults in these earlier films were indiscriminately aimed at every other character in the film, with no concern as to whether their ‘victims’ deserved it or not. He felt that their Paramount titles has been too lacking in structure, and often played out like a series of (admittedly funny) sketches, mashed together within a very loose narrative. Thalberg had been concerned that the earlier Marx Brothers films, though in the most part successful, were alienating some potential audiences. Now, some reasons why this film is so terrific …. It’s a worthy recipient of Graffiti with Punctuation Five Star Film status. Apparently lots of Old Hollywood deals got started over card games!Ī Night at the Opera is hilarious, and is widely regarded as one of the funniest comedies of all time. The men got talking about the brothers signing with MGM, and this discussion eventually lead to their first title with the studio, 1935’s A Night at the Opera. Zeppo (who’d played the ‘straight man’ in these early films) left the troupe after this, and went on to become a theatrical agent.ĭuring their post-Paramount film hiatus, big gambler Chico was playing cards with then 35-year-old MGM’s ‘Boy Wonder’ Head of Production Irving Thalberg (yes, he of the eponymous honorary Academy Award). This eventually led to the end of their relationship with Paramount. Their first four films (one a year from 1929 to 1932) bought success, but the fifth (1933’s Duck Soup ) did not do as well critically or financially. ![]() ![]() They starred in five titles for Paramount, some of which were based on their popular stage shows. The brothers enjoyed early fame during their stage era, and minus Gummo (who left the entertainment industry), the other four followed their stage success with a move to films. Chico (born Leonard) was the eldest surviving brother (first-born Manny had died in infancy), followed by Harpo (Adolph), Groucho (Julius), Gummo (Milton) and Zeppo (Herbert). ![]() Real-life siblings the Marx Brothers started their careers in Broadway vaudeville in the early 1900s. ![]()
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January 2023
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