Animal Crackers

Animal Crackers is a 1930 comedy film, and one of the Marx Brothers' most beloved and oft-quoted movies.

Related Topics:
1930 - Comedy film - Marx Brothers - Movies

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The film stars the four brothers, Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, and Zeppo Marx, as well as Lillian Roth and Margaret Dumont. It is directed by Victor Heerman and adapted from a successful 1928 Broadway play by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, also starring the Marx Brothers and Margaret Dumont. The plot concerns Groucho, as explorer Jeffrey T. Spaulding, attending a party in his honor at the house of society lady Mrs. Rittenhouse, and investigating the theft of a valuable painting during the party.

Related Topics:
Groucho Marx - Chico Marx - Harpo Marx - Zeppo Marx - Lillian Roth - Margaret Dumont - Victor Heerman - 1928 - Broadway - George S. Kaufman - Morrie Ryskind

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It contains Groucho's signature song, "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" and two of Groucho's best known quips:

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: Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I dunno.

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: We took some pictures of the native girls, but they're not developed yet. But we're going back in a few months...

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It also has the Chico-Harpo scene in which Chico wants a flashlight ("flash") and Harpo produces from his bottomless coat and pants a "fish," a "flask," etc.

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The part of Hives the butler was played by Robert Greig, a character actor who appeared in over 100 films (many in the role of a butler). He also appeared with the Marx Brothers in Horse Feathers.

Related Topics:
Robert Greig - Horse Feathers

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Forty-four years after its original release, in 1974, Animal Crackers was once again released in theaters, having been tied up in a copyright dispute for decades. This was somewhat big news at the time since the Marx Brothers were enjoying a resurgence in popularity among younger audiences.

Related Topics:
1974 - Copyright

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