Rating: 
Summary: The Marx Brothers' Farewell Film
Review: "A Night in Casablanca" (1946) is the best of the later Marx comedies and a fitting finale to their screen career. ("Love Happy," made in 1949, is a Harpo Marx vehicle with Chico and Groucho as guest stars -- it never was intended to be a legitimate Marx Brothers film and should be viewed in that context.) Perhaps their finest effort since "A Night at the Opera" (1935), this postwar escapade features the Marxes in splendid form and recaptures some of the rough-edged spontaneity of their early Paramount comedies. Harpo, in particular, is superb -- this is easily his best performance since "Duck Soup" and, unlike the MGM films, his talents are given a free reign. The absence of Margaret Dumont is compensated by the return of comic villain Sig Rumann (as Heinrich Stubel), who was a terrific foil in "A Night at the Opera" and "A Day at the Races." It may seem odd to place Groucho, Harpo and Chico in a post-WWII setting, but the brothers' shenanigans inside the Hotel Casablanca are a refreshing throwback to their first film, "The Cocoanuts" (1929). In many ways, the Marxes have come full circle. The final image of Groucho, Harpo and Chico chasing beautiful Lisette Verea through the streets of Casablanca ends the movie on an appropriately Marxian note -- which wasn't the case in most of their MGM efforts. Though not without its minor faults, "A Night in Casablanca" is a much better film than its critical reputation would have you believe. The print quality is excellent and, for the first time in many years, this video is recorded in SP mode.
Rating:
Summary: The Marx Brothers' Farewell Film
Review: "A Night in Casablanca" (1946) is the best of the later Marx comedies and a fitting finale to their screen career. ("Love Happy," made in 1949, is a Harpo Marx vehicle with Chico and Groucho as guest stars -- it never was intended to be a legitimate Marx Brothers film and should be viewed in that context.) Perhaps their finest effort since "A Night at the Opera" (1935), this postwar escapade features the Marxes in splendid form and recaptures some of the rough-edged spontaneity of their early Paramount comedies. Harpo, in particular, is superb -- this is easily his best performance since "Duck Soup" and, unlike the MGM films, his talents are given a free reign. The absence of Margaret Dumont is compensated by the return of comic villain Sig Rumann (as Heinrich Stubel), who was a terrific foil in "A Night at the Opera" and "A Day at the Races." It may seem odd to place Groucho, Harpo and Chico in a post-WWII setting, but the brothers' shenanigans inside the Hotel Casablanca are a refreshing throwback to their first film, "The Cocoanuts" (1929). In many ways, the Marxes have come full circle. The final image of Groucho, Harpo and Chico chasing beautiful Lisette Verea through the streets of Casablanca ends the movie on an appropriately Marxian note -- which wasn't the case in most of their MGM efforts. Though not without its minor faults, "A Night in Casablanca" is a much better film than its critical reputation would have you believe. The print quality is excellent and, for the first time in many years, this video is recorded in SP mode.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, What A Night!
Review: 1946 5 years after the Marx Brothers last film together. "A Night In Casablanca" is probably the strongest effort since 1937's "A Day At The Races". They were in pretty classic form in this one. The layoff seemed to payoff. The movie is excellent but the ending probably could've been better. Overall this is classic zany Marx Brothers comedy...minus the musical numbers which somewhat tarnished their last effort "The Big Store". This is Marx Brothers through and through. Definitly worth getting.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, What A Night!
Review: 1946 5 years after the Marx Brothers last film together. "A Night In Casablanca" is probably the strongest effort since 1937's "A Day At The Races". They were in pretty classic form in this one. The layoff seemed to payoff. The movie is excellent but the ending probably could've been better. Overall this is classic zany Marx Brothers comedy...minus the musical numbers which somewhat tarnished their last effort "The Big Store". This is Marx Brothers through and through. Definitly worth getting.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, What A Night!
Review: 1946 5 years after the Marx Brothers last film together. "A Night In Casablanca" is probably the strongest effort since 1937's "A Day At The Races". They were in pretty classic form in this one. The layoff seemed to payoff. The movie is excellent but the ending probably could've been better. Overall this is classic zany Marx Brothers comedy...minus the musical numbers which somewhat tarnished their last effort "The Big Store". This is Marx Brothers through and through. Definitly worth getting.
Rating:
Summary: "You schweinhund!"
Review: A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA is a film more famous for the correspondence it allegedly provoked (there's a possibility that the entire thing was a publicity stunt) between Groucho Marx and the Warner Brothers' legal department (WB stated they had a claim on 'Casablanca'; Groucho countered with a claim on 'Brothers') than for any of the gags it contained. I think this is a pity as, while it certainly can't compare to the Marx Brothers at their height, it isn't an awful film. In fact, taken on its own merits, it's quite good.The first thing that struck me when I put on this DVD (this was the first time I'd seen the film) was how much older the Marx Brothers themselves looked, particularly Harpo. His character was always a sort of ageless clown and seeing wrinkles sort of spoilt the illusion for me. On the other hand, Groucho actually looks more in character at this age. It gives him easier access to his "dirty old man" routine, which he played perfectly. Despite the title (and apparently the original intentions of the filmmakers), the movie doesn't have much to do with the more famous film with a similar name. The action centers in and around a hotel rather than a nightclub (Groucho is now the manager after the last few died under mysterious circumstances). The search is for treasure instead of travel papers. And, of course, instead of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as the romantic couple, we have bland Zeppo-replacement and bland Zeppo-replacement's bland girlfriend. Well, we can't have everything. While most of the secondary cast is uninspired, it is nice to see Sig Ruman and his eye-popping indignation back again after his stints in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and A DAY AT THE RACES. His over-the-top, sputtering reactions almost make up for the lack of Margaret Dumont. In the sequence where he's trying to pack his suitcases and trunks while the Marx Brothers invisibly impede his progress, he helps turn a great scene into a classic one. The joke writing in this movie is quite strong compared to some of the other MGM Marx features. In particular, Groucho's one-liners are at full strength; I have this movie on in the background while I type up this review, and I'm catching hilarious little jokes and double entendres that I missed the first time around. And while some of the gags have the hint of unoriginality about them, there's enough that's fresh. Sure, the scene of Harpo pantomiming that Groucho was about to be blackmailed by a femme fatale had already been done in A DAY AT THE RACES, but they wisely don't use the same lines to fuel the jokes (although strangely they do use the same music: both Groucho seduction scenes feature Johann Strauss' "The Blue Danube"). The same is true for the crowded dance-floor sequence that mimics the crowded stateroom scene from A NIGHT AT THE OPERA. Same premise, but different funny jokes. The DVD extras are nothing special. I suppose someone must be enjoying the vintage cartoons that they're putting on these Marx Brothers DVDs, but that person isn't me. The extras aren't important anyway; unfortunately, they don't add anything to the experience. Picture and sound quality are both excellent for a film of this age. This movie may come from the less celebrated portion of the Brothers' career, but to my surprise I really enjoyed it. No film can go wrong that features a scene of Harpo Marx grinning madly at the controls of an airplane. If you go in expecting DUCK SOUP, then you might be disappointed. But if you take it for what it is rather than what it isn't, you'll find a film that's funnier than most.
Rating: 
Summary: A Night in Casablanca
Review: A very average Marx Brothers movie. The was the so-called comeback movie. The first half is Ok, then it peters-out. Groucho has some good one-liners early on, but that's it. This is essentially the last true Marx Brothers movie. It's better than their last three MGM movies, but that's not saying much. Unless you are a true fan- don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth It
Review: Although it lacks the inspired insanity of the best Marx Brothers work of the 1930s, A Night in Casablanca compensates for the loss with a sense of relaxed charm which is unique among their films. This may arise from the fact that the brothers had considered themselves retired as a trio when they were approached to make the film, and agreed to do so only in order to help Chico Marx out of a financial difficulty; it is therefore hardly surprising that the film has an almost nostalgic tone, with the brothers skillfully playing out variations of previously well-established routines and formulas. In many ways, this is probably the most immediately accessible film for those who have not been previously exposed to the Marx Brothers' humor. A simple story, which generally parodies the Bogart "Casablanca," a lack of topical material, and good production values make the film extremely easy to watch, and the packing scene near the end of the film is as ridiculously funny as their more famous routines. While not in the same league with Duck Soup or A Day at the Races, it is well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: A Fond Farewell
Review: By 1946 the Marx Brothers considered themselves retired as a screen team--but brother Chico's on-going financial difficulties coaxed them back into the studio for a final film. The result is a film that will never compete with their sharp-edged comedies of the 1930s but which possesses considerable charm nonetheless. A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA finds Groucho employed as the manager of the Hotel Casablanca--where three previous managers have met sudden death at the hands of post-war Nazis in search of treasure hidden at the hotel during the war. Time, it seems, mellowed the brothers, and although they retain their sparkle they perform without the manic edge that characterized their earlier films; the result is a much friendlier, cozier style of comedy that feels as comfortable your bedroom slippers. All three brothers have ample opportunity to shine, and the film includes its share of memorable moments--perhaps most notable the diminishing dancefloor and the hilarious suitcase packing scene. It all has tremendous charm, and all the more welcome for following the several uninspired films the brothers made in the early 1940s. A fitting finish and fond farewell to one of Hollywood's greatest comedy acts; recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Fond Farewell
Review: By 1946 the Marx Brothers considered themselves retired as a screen team--but brother Chico's on-going financial difficulties coaxed them back into the studio for a final film. The result is a film that will never compete with their sharp-edged comedies of the 1930s but which possesses considerable charm nonetheless. A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA finds Groucho employed as the manager of the Hotel Casablanca--where three previous managers have met sudden death at the hands of post-war Nazis in search of treasure hidden at the hotel during the war. Time, it seems, mellowed the brothers, and although they retain their sparkle they perform without the manic edge that characterized their earlier films; the result is a much friendlier, cozier style of comedy that feels as comfortable your bedroom slippers. All three brothers have ample opportunity to shine, and the film includes its share of memorable moments--perhaps most notable the diminishing dancefloor and the hilarious suitcase packing scene. It all has tremendous charm, and all the more welcome for following the several uninspired films the brothers made in the early 1940s. A fitting finish and fond farewell to one of Hollywood's greatest comedy acts; recommended.
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