• I’ve watched each of their films several times now and A Night at the Opera is their second best effort- behind only 1933’s Duck Soup– this is the film directly following so clearly they were at their peak
  • The contract sequence is a highlight between Groucho an Chico—they know it too because they bring it up for a second time at the end
  • Apparently Groucho’s favorite of their films
  • 6th of 13 films—first one at MGM—first one with no Zeppo
  • The verbal comic genius is on full display—and from a slapstick standpoint the state room (another highlight with the contract scene) sequence and the entire finale with the physical humor at the opera is total anarchy
  • Apparently the stateroom sequence is improvised but there had to be some writing—the huge guy coming in saying “I’m the engineer’s assistant” had me dying
  • Sig Ruman as Herman Gottlieb adds much to the film
  • Harpo and Chico exchanging salami as a present to each other- haha
  • “Alone” song is excellent
  • You have Groucho riding the luggage while porters push it saying “was that three fellas or one fella with three beards?”
  • Overhead shot of the anarchy and extras on the boat
  • Populism— “take me out to the ball game” and peanuts at the opera- this was still the back end of the depression—absurdism take on elitist culture—War/Generals (Duck Soup) and the opera- are absurd
  • Harpo did many of his own stunts—impressive- he was 47
  • HR/MS – probably leaning HR– Sam Wood offers nothing so it’s all the performances and writing– it has to be excellent and incredibly funny to get this far on that– but there’s also a philosophy here in their approach that is worthy of admiration