The four Marx brothers are stowaways on a ship, hiding themselves in barrels marked kippered herring. As they are known to do, they spend the bulk of the movie being chased around the ship by the captain, crew, and everyone else who they cause trouble for.
The production looks largely like it was designed for the stage and not as much for the movies, but as the Marx Brothers rely so heavily on witty remarks (especially Groucho) the viewing format or scenery is really not important. The number of sets improves in the second half.
I like how lightly this film approaches racketeering and wives leaving their husbands for other men. They freely admit there are ex-racketeers in the newspaper, and yet they seem to be very well-off, popular people. That strikes me as such an odd thing. Also, they are drinking during what I presume to be Prohibition.
I don't think this film is as great as "Night at the Opera", and Groucho does not give as fine of a verbal performance as in "Duck Soup". I am not saying it is not a good film -- it is still funny -- but I would say it is not the best of the Marx brothers repertoire. Still worth watching.
The production looks largely like it was designed for the stage and not as much for the movies, but as the Marx Brothers rely so heavily on witty remarks (especially Groucho) the viewing format or scenery is really not important. The number of sets improves in the second half.
I like how lightly this film approaches racketeering and wives leaving their husbands for other men. They freely admit there are ex-racketeers in the newspaper, and yet they seem to be very well-off, popular people. That strikes me as such an odd thing. Also, they are drinking during what I presume to be Prohibition.
I don't think this film is as great as "Night at the Opera", and Groucho does not give as fine of a verbal performance as in "Duck Soup". I am not saying it is not a good film -- it is still funny -- but I would say it is not the best of the Marx brothers repertoire. Still worth watching.