Room Service (1938)

A penniless theatrical producer must outwit the hotel efficiency expert trying to evict him from his room, while securing a backer for his new play.

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Morrie Ryskind (screen play), John Murray (from the play by)

Stars:

Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Groucho Marx	...	Gordon Miller
Chico Marx	...	Harry Binelli
Harpo Marx	...	Faker
Lucille Ball	...	Christine
Ann Miller	...	Hilda
Frank Albertson	...	Leo Davis
Cliff Dunstan	...	Joseph Gribble
Donald MacBride	...	Gregory Wagner
Philip Loeb	...	Timothy Hogarth
Philip Wood	...	Simon Jenkins
Alexander Asro	...	Sasha
Charles Halton	...	Dr. Glass

Storyline

The Marx Brothers try and put on a play before their landlord finds out that they have run out of money. To confuse the landlord they pretend that the play's author has contracted some terrible disease and can't be moved. Originally a stage play, the setting shows its origins, but this is vintage Marx Brothers.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | marx brothers | backer | hotel | producer | 

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Taglines:

Better . . . Battier . . . Funnier Than Ever !

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx became friends when they made this movie. They reunited on "I Love Lucy."

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Goofs

Wires visible on the turkey when it flies around the room.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gordon Miller: [pulls newspaper down] Well, what do you want? Can't a man have a little privacy around here?
Sasha: The check, Mr. Miller.
Gordon Miller: Oh, the check... Is this check any good?
Sasha: Why, uh... yes, sir.
Gordon Miller: Well, we'll soon find out. There you are.
[signs the check]
Sasha: Thank you.
Gordon Miller: Don't give me any of that 'thank you' stuff.
Sasha: Mr. Miller, many times I have seen your company rehearsing on the 19th floor. Please, I would like to play the part of the Polish miner.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown on doors that flip around for each new screen of names.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules and the Captive Women (1992)

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Soundtracks

The Last Round-Up (Git Along, Little Dogie, Git Along)
(1933) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Billy Hill
Sung offscreen by a Marx brother

User Reviews

Least of Marx Brothers films

Quite a letdown from the first two films the brothers did for MGM. Don't know why Zeppo negotiated this film with RKO. They would return to MGM for the remainder of their films. This is the only one of their films that was not designed specifically for their talents, being adapted from a Broadway play. Humor is much below par, although it gets better as the film progresses. The two main female characters, played by Lucille Ball and a precocious 15 year old Anne Miller, are barely in the film. For those who prefer their Marx films with a minimum of musical interruptions, this fills the bill. Even Chico doesn't play the piano nor does Harpo play the Harp. However, Harpo does accompany the singing of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" with harmonica.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

30 September 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Room Service

Box Office

Budget:

$884,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1