Genuinely Funny Through and Through, nonsense was never so logical

Rating: 10/10 (31 January 2005)

This is such a wondrous and hilarious movie.. I never get tired of watching it. The Marx Bros. characters are played in their typical roles but in a most original plot. One of politics.... As in most Marx Bros. film music is a core part of the offering although perhaps less then in most films in that the amazing talents of Chico and Harpo are not proposed ... (I guess the plot did not lend itself for the typical piano and harp solos that appear in most Marx Bros. films).
There is an initial musical number that is satirical and political... including the lyrics "the last guy who ran this place did not know what to do with it. If you think this country is worst off now just wait till I get through with it". Marvelously entertaining and executed. An interesting glitch in this scene can be noted when groucho in his prancing around turns around and expects to find an actor there but instead finds a curtain... see if you can detect this.
The comical scenes flow from one part of the story to another seamlessly and the movie includes some "Classic" scenes that have become landmarks. In particular the peanut stand scene where Chico and Harpo confront the lemonade vendor.. and the unforgettable mirror scene where the Bros. try to fool each other that they are seeing their own image.
Full of political oriented satire... Groucho hires whomever he pleases and manages the government as one can expect... leading to a foolish war (aren't most wars foolish?) caused by the insult of an ambassador in which he calls Groucho an "Upstart".. At one point a financial report is provided ..."I hope this is clear".. Groucho responds.. "Why this is so clear a 4 year old can understand it"....then turns to his secretary Zeppo.. "go get me a 4 year old .. I can't make head or tail of it".
A must see for anyone who likes the zany brilliance of the Marx Bros.