Cocoanuts-1929 Paramount Pictures. In the Marx Brothers first feature film, Groucho portrays a hotel owner who tries his best to fleece everyone from the bellhops to a wealthy women of society Mrs. Potter played by Margaret Dumont. Chico and Harpo are resort crashing con men. Groucho is on to them from the start when they reveal an empty suitcase proclaiming "We'll fill it up before we leave". Mrs. Potter's jewels become missing, Chico and Harpo come to the aid of falsely accused hotel clerk Bob Adams and set a trap for the real thieves. Complete with an Irving Berlin score and the first use of overhead camera shots of dancing bathing beauties. Famous Marx routines include the "Viaduct" speech and the hilarious land auction scene.

wales.wav -- Hammer: "Did anyone ever tell you you look like the Prince of Wales? I don't mean the present Prince of Wales; one of the old Wales. And when I say Wales, I mean whales. I know a whale when I see one. (67K)

Animal Crackers-1930 Paramount Pictures. Hooray for Captain Spaulding! Animal Crackers is a classic of screen history, and truly as funny as is was more than 60 years ago. This film introduces Groucho's most famous character, Captain Spauding, whose song becomes the theme of his "Bet your Life" TV show. Highlights include the African lecture "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas, I don't know."

pjays -- Spalding: "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." (31K)*

Monkey Business-1931 Paramount Pictures. The Marx's while hiding from authorities on a luxury liner, become the bodyguards of rival gangsters, with the usual comedy results. This laugh filled adventure is capped by the disembarkation scene there they all try and pass themselves off as Maurice Chevalier.

innuendo -- Woman: "I don't like this innuendo." Groucho: "That's what I always say: 'Love flies out the door when money comes innuendo.'" (41K)

Horse Feathers-1932 Paramount Pictures. This is my personal favorite. Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho) takes over as President of Huxley College. His son Frank (Zeppo) convinces him to buy a couple of football players at a local speakeasy so Huxley can have a winning team. For some bizarre reason, Wagstaff mistakes Baravelli (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) for the genuine article, after getting involved with Baravelli in the famous "Swordfish" scene. Meanwhile, Wagstaff and his son are competing for the affections of the college widow (Thelma Todd), who is trying to get a hold of Huxley's football signals. Wagstaff first encounters the college widow during a very funny scene in his Office. This picture contains the most hilarious lesson ever given by a college professor as Wagstaff's lecture turns into a brawl. It also contains a few cute musical numbers and, as usual, terrible choreography performed by people who just can't dance.

raise.wav -- Wagstaff: "How much am I paying you fellows?" Professor: "Five thousand a year...but we've never been paid." Wagstaff: "In that case, I'll raise you to eight thousand." (48K)

Duck Soup-1933 Paramount Pictures. Political satire at it's purest. The action takes place in the mythical country of Freedonia. Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is unwilling to continue to finance the country's treasury unless Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) is appointed leader. Trentino, the ambassador from neighboring Sylvania, plans to take over Freedonia. Having failed at revolution, he decides to do so by marrying Mrs. Teasdale. The war scenes at the end of the film are incredibly surreal for the time. Although this film is now a classic, considered by many to be the Marx Brothers' best.

openarms.wav -- Mrs. Teasdale: "As Chairwoman of the reception committee, I welcome you with open arms." Firefly: "Is that so? How late do you stay open?" (47K)