Like all great comedians, the Marx Brothers were social anarchists. In Duck Soup there are no sequences I can skip the movie is funny from beginning to end.” He wrote, “ A Night at the Opera (1935) first MGM film, contains some of their best work, yes, but in watching it I fast-forward over the sappy interludes involving Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones. What Ebert had to say in his review(s): Roger never officially reviewed the film, but he did reference it in his Great Movies series review of Duck Soup. To believe that, I would have to be willing to do without Marilyn Monroe signing ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ and Groucho Marx saying, ‘This bill is outrageous! I wouldn’t pay it if I were you!'” He writes, “I am not one of those purists who believes the talkies were perfect and sound ruined everything. Where A Night at the Opera (1935) is referenced in Life Itself : On page 159 of the first edition hardback, Ebert explains his general taste in cinema. Groucho, Chico and Harpo cause mischief aboard ship, as they make their way to New York for the Opera's opening night, it's an opening night to remember, but not necessarily for the Opera singing.Roger Ebert Film School is a recurring feature in which Brandon attempts to watch & review all 200+ movies referenced in the print & film versions of Roger Ebert’s (auto)biography Life Itself.

Although Rosa and the obnoxious Lasspari are singing opposite one another, the Marx Brothers intervene to get Ricardo a leading role.

Ricardo and the Opera's leading lady Rosa have fallen for one another, but although Ricardo's voice is good, he falls short to Lasspari's celebrity reputation. Driftwood (Groucho), believing him to be the prestigious tenor Lasspari. Plenty of humour is also provided by Marx Brothers regular Margaret Dumont as the long suffering wealthy Opera patron Mrs Claypool and Sig Ruman as pompous Opera company director Herman Gottlieb.Īspiring singer Ricardo Baroni is mistakenly signed up by Otis B. One of the best Marx Brothers films, with Groucho, Chico and Harpo all on top form.

Groucho marx in a night at the opera