Let's be realistic.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

An action-packed slog

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

The second film the Marx Brothers made at MGM and their second (and last) for Irving Thalberg. There will be spoilers ahead: One of the best films the Marx Brothers made, it's also the only Marx Brothers film with an Academy Award nomination to its credit (for Dance Direction of the "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" number) which obviously means very little, but it's an interesting piece of trivia.The basic plot is similar to other Marx Brothers films-the owner of a sanitarium is about to lose it to her creditor, who is the villain of the piece. Groucho is a con man (a horse doctor posing as a medical doctor) Chico works for the sanitarium and Harpo is a jockey. Maureen O'Sullivan plays the owner, Allan Jones is her boyfriend/would-be savior, who buys a horse with the intent of winning prize money to save the sanitarium.Margret Dumont is a wealthy hypochondriac patient at the sanitarium who sends for "Dr." Hackenbush to head the sanitarium because he's the only one who understands just how "ill" she is. Douglas Dumbrille plays the villain and he and his henchman try to trap Groucho to discredit him in a couple of ways, both of which set up comedy bits in the film. They also try to keep Jones's horse from racing because they want the property.Along the way, Chico fleeces Groucho at the track in a classic bit-Chico sells Groucho betting books with codes at ever increasing prices while pretending to sell "tootsie frootsie" ice cream. Groucho also "examines" Harpo and Mrs. Upjohn and attempts to have a late-night tryst with a femme Fatale out to discredit him to Mrs. Upjohn.There are also musical bits with Chico and Harpo, set within the Water Carnival production number. Just how Harpo comes by his harp is one of the most bizarre and inventive transitions in the film. The songs here aren't terribly memorable, but Jones executes his competently. The songs just aren't that good.After several setbacks, the film concludes with the obligatory happy ending and the Marxes prevail once again.This film is available on DVD is is well worth having. Most recommended.

Classic Marx Bros. comedy with the boys trying to help lovely Maureen O'Sullivan keep her sanitarium open while evil Douglas Dumbrille tries to turn it into a casino. Groucho plays Dr. Hugo Hackenbush, a veterinarian posing as a human doctor to bilk wealthy hypochondriac Margaret Dumont. Their scenes together are priceless, as they always were. Maureen O'Sullivan is perfection in everything and here she brings out a kinder, gentler side of the Marx Bros. Leonard Ceeley is great as Dumbrille's co-conspirator who runs afoul of the Marxes and lives to regret it. Esther Muir is a riot as a blonde floozy who gets more than she bargained for while trying to seduce Groucho. A terrific Marx Bros. film with many memorable lines and scenes, including 'Tutsi Frutsi Ice Cream.' It's a little long but never dull. The musical numbers were never my favorite parts of the Marx films unless they were comedy songs that were part of the story, as in Animal Crackers or Duck Soup. Here, though, there is a great number called "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm." I'm sure it will be controversial to sensitive types today but it's a lively, upbeat number that always puts a smile on my face. It's one of the best musical numbers from any of the Marx films and just one of the many reasons I recommend you see this one.

How does one begin? Groucho is Dr. Hugo Hackenbush, a veterinarian who has human patients. Chico is a sort of con man and Harpo is a jockey. In order to save the day, a horse with a minimal reputation must be taught to run and save a sanitarium. It's ironic that the Marx Brothers would be in such close proximity to such a place. In addition to Groucho's frantic repartee, there is another wonderful performance by hypochondriac Margaret Dumont who in a hissy fit is about to turn her back on the sanitarium because her doctor has said there is nothing wrong with her. Meanwhile, there is the usual cast of nefarious bad guys who have an investment in stopping the horse from being successful. The boys must hide the horse and figure out a way to get him to run. In the middle of all this is music by Harpo, a group of black gospel singers from that part of town, and the romantic efforts of Groucho toward Dumont who cluelessly goes about her business among this craziness. Of course, there are ridiculous racing scenes that add to the comic soup. Like all Marx brothers movies, it's a series of bits and comic schtick, but sit back and enjoy.

The Marx Brothers invade the world of thoroughbred racing...and create a lot of laughs in doing so.Maureen O'Sullivan of Tarzan fame is Judy, and she owns a sanitarium that is in serious financial trouble. One of the patients, a wealthy widow named Emily Upjohn (Margaret Dumont), has the funds necessary to help Judy, but she is planning to leave since the doctors cannot find anything wrong with her. She declares she will meet up with the doctor who did find something wrong with her, Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush (Groucho).Seeing a chance to help Judy, Tony (Chico) says that Hackenbush is coming to the sanitarium, which keeps Dumont from exiting the facility.Judy also has help from her boyfriend Gil (Allan Jones), who has invested in a racehorse named Hi Hat. His goal is to turn Hi Hat into a race winner, theoretically accumulating enough prize money so the sanitarium can be saved. The problem is that Hi Hat is not that good a racehorse.Hackenbush gets the notice to head to the sanitarium. He is a doctor, but a horse doctor. Of course, this creates mayhem that only the Marx Borthers could pull off.The protagonists all have their adversaries to deal with. A man named Morgan is out to take over the sanitarium and create a casino. Gil is short on cash to pay for expenses relating to Hi Hat, so the horse is in danger of being taken by the sheriff. Fortunately for Gil, Tony and Stuffy (Harpo, playing the role of the jockey) are ready to help if necessary.The Marx Brothers are great as usual in this picture. Groucho's one liners are consistently funny. Chico plays the kindhearted con artist very well, and he has his share of good lines, too. And Harpo just makes you laugh without ever speaking, and is great at it.The film also becomes part musical at a couple of points. Jones sings, Harpo plays the harp (what else?) and Chico plays the piano, and all three do a good job.There are a lot of memorable scenes in the movie. The race tips scene is a good one, as is when Tony and Stuffy try to sabotage Hackenbush's date with a woman. There are plenty of laughs at the track as well (which is actually Southern California's own Santa Anita Park). As of this writing, I have seen five Marx Brothers films, and this is my favorite. It is a good one, so if you want to laugh, watch "A Day at the Races."