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Love Happy

Love Happy

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Harpo's Only Starring Film
Review: Released in 1950 after a troubled production history, "Love Happy" should be viewed as a showcase for the talents of Harpo Marx. On that level, it's an enjoyable but uneven film. Harpo's attempt at Chaplinesque pathos is fascinating -- if not entirely successful. However, the rooftop chase is quite inventive and Groucho (in a brief role for box-office purposes) has a memorable encounter with Marilyn Monroe. "Love Happy" is not a classic, but it's more enjoyable (and less painful) to watch than "At the Circus" and "The Big Store." After years of second-generation prints, the DVD features an excellent 35mm pre-release print that is six minutes longer than the 85-minute theatrical version. Groucho's narration now makes more sense and includes some Robert Benchley-inspired commentary. Along the way, there are occasional gags with Harpo and Chico that the Hays Office deemed inappropriate for the official release. Despite a few continuity errors, the pre-release print of "Love Happy" is superior to the finished product. Marxists rejoice!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Beware!
Review: Some reviews have understated the problems here. Marylin's cameo is not even one minute long - it's more like 30 seconds, and not very memorable. In fact, Marylin is completely upstaged by female lead Vera-Ellen (someone I'd never heard of), who has a very sexy dance number.
Not only does Groucho appear very little, but until the very end he does not interact with his brothers. Apparently they decided to add him at the last minute and shot several solo scenes featuring him that are interspersed throughout the film. This is unfortunate because Groucho's persona, in my opinion, was the center of the Marx brothers act. Harpo's antics grow wearisome in extended doses, and Chico is even more limited. Groucho, after all, was the one who always dropped cynical comments about the mediocre romantic storylines that were attached to the later Marx films, and thus made it possible to endure those storylines. Without his presence here, we are overwhelmed with the shabby, sentimental story about a theatrical troupe trying to put on a Broadway show.

There is one thing to recommend the film - it has Chico's most amusing piano number (after the one in Animal Crackers), as he attempts to improvise a duet with a violinist.


Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Gorgeous transfer &.NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE!!!!
Review: That is correct fellow Marx Fans. I have always had a fond place in my Marxian Heart for Love Happy. Now there is MORE happy to love! In fact, over 6 minutes of footage I have never seen. Not on previous release versions on VHS, Laserdisc, at the LaPaloma Theatre when I projected it in 35mm or in my own 16mm print! The footage adds a LOT to the movie. In one scene Groucho describes how he has tracked the sexy Madame Egelich (Illona Massey) all over the world. He whips out a series of Photos showing them to us the audience with him holding Illona in various sexy poses. Concluding with one photo of her in a 1950's style batheing suit. Another restored scene has Chico, who assigns himself the task of stopping the owner of the theatre from kicking the troupe out for lack of rent payment. Before the drooling owner is paraded a bevy of beauties. Groucho says in the voiceover, "He wisely chose the Blonde on the end". Pretty racy by 50's standards. We even get a new scene where Raymond Burr tortures Harpo by placing him in a giant washing machine! There are additional small scenes sprinkled thruout, but those are the best. WOW! It is so great to see new footage of Groucho, Harpo and Chico. BUY this disc! You will be Happy you did. Johno

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best Marx Brothers movies ever made!
Review: that the studio couldn't afford to shoot (or release) this in color. The talents of the delightful Vera-Ellen are hidden under a bushel.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Marx Brothers "lite" is still pretty good.
Review: This modest little movie gets disparaged as a tepid finale to the Marx Brothers film career. It's obvious from the start that the inspired lunacy of "A Night at the Opera" or the best of the early Paramount films is missing, but even Marx Brothers "lite" will suffice for off-the-wall comedy fans. Many of the familiar Marx elements are present. Harpo, for example, frantically whistles, pantomimes, and charades as he tries to deliver urgent news to a bewildered Chico. In fact, this is amusingly done twice; the first time Harpo "phones" it in, trying to get Chico to read his mind! Harpo has been described as an enchanted elf, and his otherworldly qualities are displayed in his foraging talents used to feed the troupe of hungry actors, and the marvelous way he blends right in with the electric signs during the movie's climactic roof-top chase. Groucho's role is smaller than usual, but he has more than just a few unrelated scenes, as has been reported elsewhere. Marilyn Monroe does her breathless walk-on and Groucho leeringly puts an hilarious exclamation point to her very brief appearance. Harpo plays the harp, Chico plays the piano, and Groucho smokes his cigar and wiggles his eyebrows; all in true Marx Brothers fashion. The one Marx Brothers element that is conspicuous by its absence is a typical Groucho-Chico exchange in classic "Why A Duck" tradition. There is a weak effort to introduce a musical comedy plot with its obligatory singing, dancing, and romantic complications. Use the fast-forward control to get back to Harpo and the guys.

Granted, this film isn't the greatest Marx Brothers comedy, but dismissing the entire movie is a mistake. Good second string stuff.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Marx Brothers...the conclusion.
Review: This was the final act of the Marx Brothers and yes, it was their weakest film. I wouldn't even technically call this a Marx Brothers movie considering Chico & Groucho have no scenes together and Groucho & Harpo only have 1 scene together. Groucho also gets the lone scene with miss Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe appears on the screen for maybe 30 seconds and although I was never a fan of hers you could kind of sense a strong presence about her for that brief time she was in the movie. I couldn't enjoy this movie thoroughly with Groucho narrating and Harpo as the star. The plot was ok but it was an extremly bad ending and just not what you would expect from the Marx Brothers...their true last performance was in "A Night In Casablanca" which was actually a pretty good movie. This movie is just out of sheer curiousity for Marx Brothers and Marilyn Monroe fans.


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