HOMECOMING FILM
The Marx Brothers are at it again in this laugh out loud comedy “Horse Feathers”. If you thought ‘A Night at the Opera’ was a romp in the theatre then this new comedy will drop your drawers.
Prof. Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho Marx) has been appointed President of Huxley College where he is determined to get a win against Darwin University in the big rival school football game. He hires two ringers, Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Baravelli (Chico Marx), at the local speakeasy assuming they are the best around. Darwin University has also hired ringers, real ones, and has bribed Connie Bailey (Thelma Todd), the college widow, to seduce Frank Wagstaff (Zeppo Marx) for the secret play calls. This perfectly set-up equation leads to crazy laugh-out-loud antics with a ridiculous over-the-top ending.
“Horse Feathers” is a true comedy chock full of violent humor and subtle sexual innuendos with musical interludes that the actors perform themselves. It also defines the true comedy because it has a wedding at the end.
The Marx Brothers social-political views are very blunt throughout most of the film. Groucho becomes a president at a college where the professors agree to whatever he says, ridiculing the educational environment. His son, Zeppo, has been in the college for over 12 years. Harpo is a dogcatcher and purposely puts a policeman in a cage. Chico helps run a distillery where scotch, rye and all spirits are the same liquid.
It would be unwise to say the Marx Brothers attacked certain aspects of life but you can say they made fun of everybody, leaving no stone unturned.
The musical interludes the Marx brothers instill are of beauty and elegance where in the world of tomorrow you would find technology and mechanization.
“Horse Feathers,” which is slang for nonsense, rubbish and balderdash, defines the rival football game. It is outlandishly comical making other parts of the film a little offbeat. Something about a chariot on a football field and the referee allowing it is a bit absurd.
“Horse Feathers” is only an hour long so if you feel like you need to pee your pants go down to your local theatre where they are bound to be showing it.