Today’s quick review: A Night at the Opera. To help her break into high society, Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) has Mrs. Claypool (Margaret Dumont), a wealthy widow, make a sizable donation to the opera. Herman Gottlieb (Sig Ruman), the imperious opera director, uses the money to bring over an egotistical tenor (Walter King) from Italy but gets more than he bargained for when Fiorello (Chico Marx) and Tomasso (Harpo Marx) stow away on the boat.
A Night at the Opera is a classic comedy from the Marx Brothers. The movie shows off the Brothers at their finest, plying their signature blend of slapstick, patter, and musicality to produce a polished, well-balanced comedy that offers a little bit of everything. The movie flits effortlessly between plot, romance, and a wide variety of comedy routines. Even more remarkably, very few of the jokes miss their mark.
One of the features that distinguishes A Night at the Opera is the attention it gives to its story. The story is simple enough: an opera director hires Lassparri (Walter King), a distinguished Italian star, to come sing in New York. The move splits up a pair of lovers, Rosa (Kitty Carlisle), chosen to sing with Lassparri in New York, and Riccardo (Allan Jones), a tenor still waiting for his big break, and it’s up to the Marx Brothers to set things right.
Though the story might be simple, it serves an important purpose in tying the movie together. Rosa and Riccardo’s romance is never the main focus for very long, but it gives A Night at the Opera something concrete to come back to between quips, songs, and other comedic interludes. That, in turn, gives the comedy a much-needed sense of focus. The routines are among the Marx Brothers’ best material and are made better by the story scaffolding around them.
A Night at the Opera is a must-see for fans of the Marx Brothers or sharp, whimsical comedy in general. The movie delivers plenty of laughs without sacrificing heart or story, and the end result is a light, delightful watch that will appeal to a broad range of viewers. For another Marx Brothers classic, check out Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers, or Duck Soup. For a classic comedy romance with great dialogue, try The Philadelphia Story.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for top-notch comedy and a great sense of proportion.