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	...	J. Cheever Loophole
Chico Marx	...	Antonio
Harpo Marx	...	'Punchy'
Kenny Baker	...	Jeff Wilson
Florence Rice	...	Julie Randall
Eve Arden	...	Peerless Pauline
Margaret Dumont	...	Mrs. Suzanna 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:

Not Rated

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

Groucho Marx was fond of recounting how the original owner of the "gorilla skin" used in the film was so incensed when the stunt man wearing it poked ventilation holes in it with an ice pick that he took his suit and walked off the picture, forcing the producers to hastily rent an orangutan skin as a replacement. For this reason, Groucho claimed, the gorilla gets bigger and smaller from shot to shot. The man in the gorilla suit is in fact Charles Gemora, well-known movie sculptor and gorilla artist, wearing his own custom-made suit.

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Goofs

Multiple different-sized actors, in noticeably different gorilla costumes, were used to play Gibraltar the gorilla.

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Quotes

Jardinet: I cross the ocean! I am called a dope ring! I race on a train, when I get here, what do I find? Animals. Animals!
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: Animals?
J. Cheever Loophole: Animals! Mrs. Dukesbury's friends are my friends!

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Tiger Rag
(1918) (uncredited)
Written by Edwin B. Edwards, Nick LaRocca, Tony Sbarbaro, Henry Ragas and Larry Shields
Played in the background at the circus

User Reviews

First Marx Brothers Film I Saw..and it was amazing.

This is one of the most hilarious comedies I've ever seen. Sure, as others have said, the romantic stuff isn't so great, but the stuff with the Marx Brothers, especially Groucho, is genius. One of my favorite scenes was the one where Groucho walks on the ceiling with that highly attractive circus perfomer. Plus, the ending, with the gorilla and the whacky final fate of the orchestra, is awe inspiring, as far as comedy goes. (Which is damn far!) Anyway, a great film.