tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503771624520315711.post3772272082869004946..comments2023-09-06T01:53:41.634-07:00Comments on doug's Site: Ten Films from the 1930's #3--The Marx Brothers in "Horse Feathers" (1932) Doug's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219952832674415239noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503771624520315711.post-27886388784166438272012-03-16T15:26:36.000-07:002012-03-16T15:26:36.000-07:00You're welcome, AA. There was nothing betterth...You're welcome, AA. There was nothing betterthan a movie on the local station on a rainy Satuday afternoon, or a late show screening on a weekend. Paramount Pictures alone had W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers and Mae West on the studio lot in those days. Their work stands the test of time. <br /><br />I totally agree with your assessment of Lucky Luciano. The early capitialist investors were soon followed by the racketeers. Once studios were unionized, there was even more incentives for the Mob to come out West and try and get a piece of the action from union pension finds, horse racing, illegal gambling joints, as well as blackmailing studios with threats of "bad accidents" to certain stars. The studios generally paid up, although some real tough customers like independant mogul Sam Goldwyn famously said "Include me out" to any protection payments. <br /><br />In 1958, Goldwyn's studio burned to the ground in a mysterious fire. <br /><br /><br /> L.A. was the viper's nest that created the snakes who re-created a Nevada desert cow town into the lucrative Las Vegas after World War II.<br /> <br />The fate of Thelma Todd three years after this marvelous picture came out is the only thing that casts a pall over the proceddingsdoug noakeshttp://dnoakes.multiply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503771624520315711.post-40311082214715775722012-03-16T15:02:40.000-07:002012-03-16T15:02:40.000-07:00Thanks for the reminder of Sunday afternoon's ...Thanks for the reminder of Sunday afternoon's of my childhood watching the Marx Brothers films on black and white TV and being greatly tickled by the humour at the time.<br /><br />However it is interesting that even this world of witty one-liners and a chipper comic absurdity doesn't escape from violence played out in the horrific murder of Thelma Todd.<br /><br />On the one hand there is the myth and fantasy clever and slick and on the other the reality in living in a gangster reptiliain hegemony unsophisticated, just moodily homicidal.<br /><br />It seems to me that Lucky Luciano is an icon of capitalism, the true spirit of entrepreneurial avarice having its wicked way with the economy while Hollywood makes us laugh and cry to order.<br /><br />An interesting historical document as well as a very funny film too I think Doug.Aaran Aardvarkhttp://aaranaardvark.multiply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503771624520315711.post-44235325086281016082012-03-14T09:55:57.000-07:002012-03-14T09:55:57.000-07:00That is another thing we have in common, Will.
&...That is another thing we have in common, Will. <br /><br />"Horse Feathers" has it all: a lot of great scenes with the Marxes displaying perfect timing, fine comic foils, great wordplay, some very cathy musical numbers (Chico's playful finger work on the pianois a thing of wonder) and, best of all, a total lack of respect for academic pretenses...a total classic. <br /><br />Good point about "Groundhog Day". I think a lot of screenwriters took note of the structure of these earliest Marx Brothers films. And of course major comic actors like Bill Murray owe a lot of their respective personas to what Groucho did so well. <br /><br />All that is missing is the great Grand Dowager straight-lady herself, Margaret Dumpont. <br /><br />Thanks...or should I say "Swordfish"?doug noakeshttp://dnoakes.multiply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503771624520315711.post-88385736567891990222012-03-14T06:34:32.000-07:002012-03-14T06:34:32.000-07:00This is, without question, my all-time-favorite co...This is, without question, my all-time-favorite comedy. <br /><br />Its comedic style was also the inspiration for several scenes in "Groundhog Day" (and probably a lot of other films, as well).<br /><br />Good choice here; Doug!Astra Navigohttp://astranavigo08.multiply.comnoreply@blogger.com