TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Marx Brothers (A Day at the Races / A Night in Casablanca / Room Service / At the Circus)

Studio: Warner Home Video

Years: 1937-1946

Rated: Not Rated

Program Length: 359 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Languages: English Dolby Digital 2.0

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

The Program

Let’s cut to the chase – this collection of four Marx Brothers films does not contain new transfers. In fact, these transfers are identical in every respect to those found in the seven-film THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION which Warner Home Video released in 2004. Even the menus and extras are the same. If you already own THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION, there is no reason to buy this set.

This two-disc set includes two films which the Marx Brothers made for MGM in 1937 and 1939, A DAY AT THE RACES and AT THE CIRCUS. In between those films the boys made ROOM SERVICE for RKO in 1938. Also included is the 1946 film A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, which was released by United Artists. Most fans of the brothers place A DAY AT THE RACES in the top tier of their films, although it is not quite as well-regarded as A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and DUCK SOUP. The other three films are lesser accomplishments, although they still contain many hilarious moments. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, which is not included here, is part of THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION, which is still available. THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION also includes GO WEST and THE BIG STORE.

Groucho appears in A DAY AT THE RACES as Dr. Hugo Z. Quackenbush, who is hired to save a struggling sanitarium located in a horse racing resort. Chico and Harpo contribute typically zany shenanigans, and supporting roles are filled by Allan Jones, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Groucho’s long-time foil Margaret Dumont.

ROOM SERVICE is, in a sense, a return to Marx Brothers’ earliest films such as THE COCOANUTS and ANIMAL CRACKERS. As with those films, ROOM SERVICE is adapted from a play and is rather static in its presentation. A young Lucille Ball and teenager Ann Miller also appear.

AT THE CIRCUS finds the brothers helping out the owner of a circus who has been victimized by a robbery. This time Groucho is an attorney named Loophole, so you can guess where it goes. Margaret Dumont is back, along with Kenny Baker and Eve Arden.

After a five-year hiatus from films the Marx Brothers reunited for A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, which involves a ring of Nazis in postwar Casablanca. There is one famous bit involving Harpo which you will think of anytime you see someone leaning against a building.

One advantage of this new set is that it is attractively priced. At roughly $5 per film, it is an economical way to get an introduction to the Marx Brothers. The downside is that if you get hooked, as is likely, you will then want to buy THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION to get the three MGM films which are missing here.

The Video

The four black & white films in this collection are properly framed at 1.33:1 and they were nicely restored before they were released on DVD in 2004. I urge you to read the thread which was started by our resident film restoration expert, Robert Harris:

The four films are spread out over two discs, one film per side.

The Audio

The Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack is clear, intelligible and mostly free of noise and distortion. In other words, it is a good as could be hoped for given the age of these films

The Supplements

As noted, the supplements are identical to those found in THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION.

A DAY AT THE RACES includes a commentary track by author Glenn Mitchell. There also is a featurette about the Marx Brothers entitled “On Your Marx, Get Set, Go!” There is a funny Robert Benchley short called “A Night at the Movies” and three vintage cartoons. Also available are the theatrical trailer and a couple of audio-only features.

A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA includes a Joe McDoakes short, “So You Think You’re a Nervous Wreck” and the cartoon “Acrobatty Bunny.”

The extras on ROOM SERVICE are the vintage short “Party Fever” and the cartoon “The Daffy Doc,” as well as the theatrical trailer.

AT THE CIRCUS offers the short “Dog Daze,” the cartoon “Jitterbug Follies,” and the theatrical trailer.

The extras are generally in excellent shape, although the audio quality is variable.

The Packaging

The two discs come in a standard DVD keep case which has a bit of a flimsy feel to it.

The Final Analysis

This set is difficult to recommend because all four films are available in more attractive and substantial packaging in the box set THE MARX BROTHERS COLLECTION. However, the price is attractive and this set may appeal to someone who does not feel the need to own all seven Marx Brothers films which are in the Warner catalog.

Equipment used for this review:

Toshiba HD-XA-2 DVD player

Panasonic Viera TC-P46G15 Plasma display, calibrated to THX specifications by Gregg Loewen

Yamaha HTR-5890 THX Surround Receiver

BIC Acoustech speakers

Interconnects: Monster Cable

Release Date: February 2, 2010