I love the Marx Brothers, but I suppose that means I need to qualify that I love the Marx Brothers circa 1929-1937. You can read about the demise of their funny movie-making as a result of Irving Thalberg's untimely demise or the antipathy of Louis Mayer elsewhere.I can't recall if I saw this picture early on and then forgot about it or not, but I did have the misfortune to revisit it recently as TCM had a tribute to their films. All I can say is horrible. I might have had a chuckle or two, but I did not have a full laugh throughout the picture. I can only recommend this one for die-hard fans who want to see the Marx's entire oeuvre. Too many musical numbers and too few belly-shaking laughs, I'm afraid to report.

The Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico and Harpo) try to save Jeff Wilson (Kenny Baker) from having to sell his circus. For the Marx Brothers this is pretty bad. The guys were getting pretty old when this was filmed...and it shows. They seem tired and run down here. Some of the routines are funny but not as good as anything in "A Night at the Opera" or "Duck Soup". This one has way too many lousy musical numbers in it that bring things to a screeching halt. You also have to endure a piano solo from Chico and a harp solo from Harpo. The plot itself is vague at best and this seems much longer than it actually is. Worst of all is the end which is protracted and has some of the unfunniest and most violent slapstick I've ever seen in a Marx Brothers film.On the plus side Groucho does do his infamous "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" number; Eve Arden has a fun bit with Groucho and it's always a treat to see Margaret Dumont deal with Groucho (even though she's treated terribly at the end). So this is sub par Marx Brothers but still 100% better than some comedies.

The Marx Brothers "At the Circus" (1939) was made just when their films were starting to decline in quality at the hands of MGM. Their are the usual vices, such as the the romantic subplot, the sheer unbelievable fact that the brothers would actually help a circus that was badly in debt and, apart from Groucho singing about Lydia, the Tattooed Lady, the songs are mundane and instantly forgettable. On the plus side however, you have Groucho trying to get on to the circus train, again trying (and failing) to get some money from a female trapeze artiste and of course a grand dinner party with Margaret Dumont. The two other brother, Harpo and Chico, also get some memorable moments, particular when both of them play detective. Plus, an unforgettable encounter with an orchestra. One of the most underrated Marx Brothers films from their stay at MGM.

The Marx Brothers were the Beatles of comedy, and rightly so. And this was their ultimate movie. They made a lot of great movies-"Room Service", the "Night at" movies and "Day at" movies, and Horsefeathers all stand out at them at their best. This one, however, will keep you rolled up in laughter all the way through. For people who've never been fortunate enough to see Marx Brothers movies, they can be compared to American speaking Monty Pythons. The plot is secondary in Marx Brothers script. There is a good guy who owns a circus, a bad guy who wants to steal the circus, and others who take sides along the way. This movie is based on humor. It is one running gag with some brief bits of song thrown in to let you catch your breath. The African American scene is obviously condescending, but their singing and interplay with Harpo, who is like their brother, is extraordinary. The laughs are perfectly timed and directed. Some real gut busting scenes are when Groucho and Chico grill the midget and strong man, when Groucho meets the rich widow, and when the band is given a big send off. The interplay between the ultra serious and the silly is perfect. If you're an heir and want to knock off an old rich person, showing them this movie could very well make that person die laughing. Just hilarious, and even funnier than the "Holy Grail" and "Inspector General". The funniest movie of all time!