

Animal Crackers
Renowned explorer and hunter Captain Spaulding has just returned from Africa to a lavish welcome at the estate of influential society matron Mrs. Rittenhouse, where a priceless painting vanishes. The fearless captain pursues the mystery with the help of his bumbling secretary Horatio Jamison, while clashing with the anarchic Signor Emanuel Ravelli and his zany sidekick The Professor.
Director(s)
Victor Heerman
Pierre Collings
Cast & Crew
Details
Reviews
CinemaSerf
So a renowned explorer ("Capt. Spaulding" - Groucho Marx) returns from doing his David Livingstone in Africa and attends a lavish reception in his honour. Whilst at this swanky soirée, a very valuable painting is stolen and so he, along with Harpo, Chico & Zeppo all pitch in to recover it for their hostess; the glamorous but no-nonsense "Mrs. Rittenhouse" (Margaret Dumont - who frequently struggles to keep a straight face during the ensuing shenanigans!). It quickly accelerates into a rapid-fire series of set-piece sketches - and the best game of bridge you're ever likely to see on screen - with some wonderfully timed one liners. I always found Groucho's accent a bit tiring after a while - his really thick New York accent is not so easy on the ears, but that's an incidental criticism of a really fun vehicle for four folks who just knew how to make us laugh. Maybe one too many musical hiatuses that slow it down somewhat, but hey - you're bound to enjoy most of it.



























