Violence/Gore: An ape goes on a rampage. Margaret Dumont is shot out of a cannon. Chico is hit on the head several times in one gag. Groucho and Chico hit their heads several times while in a midget’s house. Harpo catches a dumbbell and the weight drives him into the ground.

Sex/Nudity: Eve Arden (one of the old ladies in GREASE) is in a gag that draws attention to her chest. Chico has sex with all the women in the film… but that happens off-screen, or so it’s been said.

Best Line: “No, you’re not a regular coward. You’re a brave coward.” (Chico’s attempt to save Harpo from killing himself after he has called him a coward)

Score:

The Marx brothers are back, and this time the circus is their backdrop. Lending support to the wacky shenanigans is the sixth Marx brother, Margaret Dumont (and sister is that one ugly brother), Eve Arden, Florence Rice and Kenny Baker. That’s Kenny Baker, the ’30s and ’40s actor of such fine films as MR. DODD TAKES THE AIR and 52ND STREET, not Kenny Baker the dwarf actor featured in a variety of costumed roles in the STAR WARS saga.

Harpo (as “Punchy") and Chico (as “Antonio") are working at a circus. When they find out their boss, Kenny Baker, dressed as one of the dwarf characters from the 1980 version of FLASH GORDON, needs to complete a financial transaction in order to keep the circus, Chico suggests they bring in Groucho (as J. Cheever Loophole) as their lawyer. Baker, dressed in full R2-D2 garb, responds with “be boop dink click.”

As things turn out, the person owed this money is corrupt and wants to keep the circus to himself. He has nefarious plans to keep Baker, dressed as an Ewok, from being able to perform this monetary transaction. Late in the night, as Baker, dressed as Fidgit from TIME BANDITS, goes to retrieve his money, he is knocked unconscious and robbed by the circus strongman and a midget named the Professor - who is not played by Kenny Baker, the dwarf performer who frequently appears as costumed characters in the STAR WARS saga. That actor does not appear in this film.

Now Baker, dressed one of the Goblin Corps characters from the film LABYRINTH, is in trouble, and only Chico and Harpo and Groucho can help, badly.

Fortunately Baker, dressed as Dufflepud from the 1989 TV version of PRINCE CASPIAN AND THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, has a rich aunt, played by Margaret Dumont. Naturally, Groucho can con her into giving Baker, dressed as one of the Nelwyn band members from the film WILLOW, the amount of money that was stolen from him. This third act introduction of wealth allows Groucho to engage in his patented harassment of the upper echelons.

The whole thing ends in celebration with Kenny Baker, dressed as Brighton Busker from 1986’s MONA LISA, leading the gang in a rousing version of “Lapti Nek.”

As far as general critical appraisal goes, AT THE CIRCUS is usually considered two drops away from a bucket of piss, which is why we at Cinejunkie recommend that you attack all film critics with rusty nails, screwdrivers, and if your money’s still good at the bar, tequila. This opinion seems to be spouted by people who haven’t recently seen the film, or worse, by those who just assume that the first five Marx Brothers films are the only ones that are worthwhile. Folks, one quick look at COCONUTS - and quick is long enough - and you’ll see the folly of uninformed memory.

As it stands, AT THE CIRCUS is a more than amiable romp with the boys. Their antics are grounded by a solid narrative structure, the circus location allows for some interesting set pieces, and the jokes are cracker jack. Chico and Harpo have excellent interplay in some choice skits, highlighted in the scene where they try to find money in a sleeping strongman’s room. Chico and Groucho work well together, with a classic comedy of frustration bit where Chico can’t let Groucho on a train because he doesn’t have a badge. Topping it all though is the brutally hysterical scene where all three enter a midget’s house in an effort to get evidence, and Chico and Harpo thwart all of Groucho’s attempts. It’s a surreal scene that Dali would be proud of.

There’s also the expected, and as usual delightful, musical numbers from Chico and Harpo. Chico tosses off a fine novelty number that makes it easy to see why he went home, or to his trailer, with half the female cast. Harpo has the politically incorrect number where he dances and plays harp as the black circus workers sing a song extolling his virtues as a kind-hearted soul. It’s rather touching, and likely offensive only to those who have no sense of historical perspective.

This film is non-stop hysterical from start to finish, and I beg you to watch it, for no doubt you’ll say to yourself, “Why, this is brilliant! What kind of a dolt couldn’t give this film four stars?” And the answer to that question is me. I’m only giving it three and a half due to a boring romantic subplot and the absence of Zeppo.

The film was directed by Edward Buzzell, who directed the brothers in their next feature, GO WEST - which is considered by many critics to be three drops away from a bucket of piss - and SONG OF THE THIN MAN - one of the later entries in the “Thin Man” series, which is considered by many critics to be two turds away from a bucket of poo.

Critics…phooey.

(Note to readers: Our horror/sci-fi/exploitation connection for this film is Florence Rice, one of the stars of 1943’s THE GHOST AND THE GUEST - a connection that took a damn long time to find.)

DVD Extras: The DVD was included as part of the Marx Brothers Collection, which features seven of the brothers’ flicks, including this one. According to the box, this film is available only as part of this collection, and is featured on a double-sided disc along with ROOM SERVICE. The AT THE CIRCUS side features a particularly hostile cartoon called “Jitterbug Follies” and a nice Our Gang short, “Dog Daze.” The trailer is included as well.

AH