Gorgeous girls! Uproarious fun! The big musical show!

Second-rate private dick Wolf J. Flywheel (Groucho) and his clumsy buddies Ravelli and Wacky (Chico, Harpo) are in charge of security at a big department store, but the owner turns out to be a bad guy. Known as one of the Marx brothers’ weakest efforts, this film has the same structure as most of the other flicks they made. The story is well paced, but nothing really takes off; Margaret Dumont does her best, though. Tony Martin sings a few tunes, but the brothers’ musical performances are generally more interesting.

1941-U.S. 80 min. B/W. Directed by Charles Riesner. Cast: Groucho Marx (Wolf J. Flywheel), Chico Marx (Ravelli), Harpo Marx (Wacky), Tony Martin, Virginia Grey, Margaret Dumont.

Trivia: The brothers originally touted this film as their last.

Quote: “Martha, dear, there are many bonds that will hold us together through eternity. Your government bonds, your savings bonds, your liberty bonds.” (Groucho to Dumont)

Published 2006-08-30 09:23