tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post4698780275927027411..comments2024-03-15T04:08:16.172-04:00Comments on Only the Cinema: Horse FeathersEd Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-41260428024326794432010-03-06T15:23:51.343-05:002010-03-06T15:23:51.343-05:00I agree with David. Groucho's got a real nasty...I agree with David. Groucho's got a real nasty streak to him that's hardly limited to his responses to Chico. I saw it in this film in the way he threatens to kick Thelma Todd's teeth in. His humor often verges over into plain mean-spirited misanthropy; in this same film, he's pretty nasty to Zeppo, who's supposed to be playing his son.Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-26538379676549719742010-03-06T10:16:06.238-05:002010-03-06T10:16:06.238-05:00Groucho is mean and dismissive of everyone, not ju...Groucho is mean and dismissive of everyone, not just Chico.<br /><br />That's the essence of his charm.DavidEhrensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016905507543736049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-19801079319948394252010-03-06T00:15:12.161-05:002010-03-06T00:15:12.161-05:00There's a current of meanness in Groucho that ...There's a current of meanness in Groucho that I notice more every time I rewatch the Paramount films, especially when it's directed toward Chico. There's more than comic exasperation going on in some of their scenes, and a sort of spite in his ritual dismissals of Chico's piano scenes. It's still funny, buy it makes me wonder about the family dynamics.<br /><br />And "I&#Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-23422532842439464082010-03-05T13:19:42.916-05:002010-03-05T13:19:42.916-05:00I'm surprised John Stewart hasn't yet done...I'm surprised John Stewart hasn't yet done a montage of no-shouting Republicans set to "Whatever It Is I'm Against It" — it's a perfect song for them these days.<br /><br />Sam, I do prefer <i>Duck Soup</i>, which probably has the brothers' best and most famous set pieces, but this one's certainly pretty close.<br /><br />Meredith, glad you enjoyed the review!Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-75471178140527450582010-03-05T12:16:13.538-05:002010-03-05T12:16:13.538-05:00I love love love the Marx Brothers, and this is my...I love love love the Marx Brothers, and this is my favorite of their films. They were so witty and talented, AND I love Thelma Todd in the movie as well. Thanks for the post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950207764204473859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-60658768617882310902010-03-05T11:36:34.897-05:002010-03-05T11:36:34.897-05:00This is actually my personal favorite Marx brother...This is actually my personal favorite Marx brothers film, and the one that recalls childhood memories with so many Saturday morning viewings. DUCK SOUP may well be the most perfectly orchestrated as opposed to the admittedly anarchic structure of HORSE FEATHERS, which as you rightly assert, is about the 'breakdown of order.' But McLeod recognizes the comic potential here, and he guides Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-77293654806436985552010-03-05T11:19:51.497-05:002010-03-05T11:19:51.497-05:00Actually I don't find that moment "disjun...Actually I don't find that moment "disjunctive" at all. The Marx Brothers world is that of our own, only more hostestly presented. Violence rules. Lies are the coin of the realm. And Groucho is that most creative of all liars, in that he announces he is about to lie before he ever does so.<br /><br />As much as I adore Margaret Dumont, I have a sepcial palce in my heart for Thelma DavidEhrensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016905507543736049noreply@blogger.com