At the Circus (1939)

The Marx Brothers try to help the owner of a circus recover some stolen funds before he finds himself out of a job.

Director:

Edward Buzzell

Writer:

Irving Brecher (screen play)

Stars:

Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Groucho Marx	...	Attorney Loophole
Chico Marx	...	Antonio
Harpo Marx	...	'Punchy'
Kenny Baker	...	Jeff Wilson
Florence Rice	...	Julie Randall
Eve Arden	...	Peerless Pauline
Margaret Dumont	...	Mrs. Dukesbury
Nat Pendleton	...	Goliath
Fritz Feld	...	Jardinet
James Burke	...	John Carter
Jerry Maren	...	Little Professor Atom (as Jerry Marenghi)
Barnett Parker	...	Whitcomb

Storyline

Jeff Wilson, the owner of a small circus, owes his partner Carter $10000. Before Jeff can pay, Carter lets his accomplices steal the money, so he can take over the circus. Antonio Pirelli and Punchy, who work at the circus, together with lawyer Loophole try to find the thief and get the money back.

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Plot Keywords:

circus | song | circus midget | deception | damsel in distress | 

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Taglines:

NOT SUITABLE FOR GENERAL EXHIBITION (Australian one-sheet poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Day at the Circus

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 9 critic reviews.

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Goofs

When the little boy is "playing" his trumpet solo (and Punchy is using the bulb of his bicycle horn as a wah-wah mute), not only are the boy's fingerings incorrect, they are out of synch with the sequence of notes. Punchy's use of the "mute" is likewise out of synch.

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Quotes

Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: Well! What is the meaning of this?
J. Cheever Loophole: Keep your sheet on, I'm looking for old lady Dukesbury.
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: I am Mrs. Dukesbury.
J. Cheever Loophole: Snook'ems!
[Rushes to her arms]
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: Oh, good gracious! I don't know you.
J. Cheever Loophole: You mean you've, you've forgotten?
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: Well, I...
J. Cheever Loophole: I know, you have forgotten. Those June nights on the Riviera, where we sat 'neath the shimmering skies! Moonlight bathing in the Mediterranean! We were young, gay, reckless! The night I drank champagne from your slipper - two quarts. It would have held more, but you were ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Undead (1997)

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Soundtracks

The Man on the Flying Trapeze
(1867) (uncredited)
Music by Gaston Lyle
Played at the party

User Reviews

Funny in a wacky sort of way.

This was my first exposure to the Marx brothers. It was odd to start off with but in the end I was won over by the wacky humour of the Marx's antics. I am not a fan of musicals but most of these bits are not tiringly extended. It also for the first time made me understand and appreciate several comic strips, cartoons, jokes and general comments. A good laugh with friends.