A Night at the Opera

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A Night at the Opera

Released Nov 15, 1935

1h 33m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

97%

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71 Reviews

90%

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10,000+ Ratings

The Marx Brothers run amuck in the world of opera when Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) meets aspiring singer Ricardo (Allan Jones), who is determined to win the love of fellow performer Rosa (Kitty Carlisle). Aided by Fiorello (Chico Marx) and Tomasso (Harpo Marx), Otis attempts to unite the young couple, but faces opposition from the preening star Lassparri (Walter Woolf King), who also has his sights on Rosa. Traveling from Italy to New York, Otis and friends rally to try and win the day.

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Critics Consensus

Watermelons may go out of season, but in A Night at the Opera, the Marx Brothers' daffy laughs are never anything less than uproariously fresh.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

[The Marx Brothers] troop through this impossible hour and a half of picture with such speed and clatter as to pin up a record for one of the most hilarious collections of bad jokes I’ve laughed myself nearly sick over.

Dec 27, 2023

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Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

Uproarious high spots -- the best, perhaps, of their kind -- render A Night at the Opera, starring Groucho, Harpo and Chico, a champion comedy in the year's output. In some ways, it is the best comedy in which the three brothers have ever appeared.

Nov 20, 2020

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

Considering that the dialogue of A Night at the Opera was written by two such theatrical craftsmen as George Kaufman and Morris Rysklnd, it reaches a surprising nadir of inanity.

Nov 20, 2020

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

While A Night at the Opera is amongst the best Marx Brothers movies, it's not the same without the anarchy that made their Paramount films so much fun.

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 20, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It's impossible to determine which is the greater scene: the stateroom or the party of the first part.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 2, 2021

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Josephine O'Neill

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

Their eccentric adventures from Milan to New York contain such notable scenes as that in Groucho's cabin; the impersonation of the foreign aviators; the disruption of the opera orchestra; and the final, breathless sequences.

Nov 20, 2020

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María O

Marx Brothers movies are a timeless masterpieces that need to be recogniced by every generation

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Mary Ann A

This is such a goofy movie and I love goofy movies! I always liked Groucho's smartass remarks on YOU BET YOUR LIFE many years ago. Yes, I'm that old! Classic comedy!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

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Christian K

Had no clue how much 'Friday the 13th part 8: Jason takes Manhattan' ripped off from this movie. Opening setup > hour long boat ride to new York filled with hijinks > 20ish minutes in the city.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/24

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Robert J

The Marx Brothers at the top of their game. The ship's cabin scene is the funniest in film. This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece! See this followed by A Day at the Races. Pure joy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

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Josh G

One of the funnest films ever made filled with, charm and clever writing. This is the marx brothers golden era. Grocho and Cheeco are stand outs in the film and the back drop and sets, everything is wonderful and so very funny

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

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Mark A

Hilarious, chaotic and fun. It never gets old.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/22

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Sam Wood

Director

Groucho Marx

Otis P. Driftwood

Harpo Marx

Tomasso

Kitty Carlisle Hart

Rosa Castaldi

Chico Marx

Fiorello

Margaret Dumont

Mrs. Claypool

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Synopsis

The Marx Brothers run amuck in the world of opera when Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) meets aspiring singer Ricardo (Allan Jones), who is determined to win the love of fellow performer Rosa (Kitty Carlisle). Aided by Fiorello (Chico Marx) and Tomasso (Harpo Marx), Otis attempts to unite the young couple, but faces opposition from the preening star Lassparri (Walter Woolf King), who also has his sights on Rosa. Traveling from Italy to New York, Otis and friends rally to try and win the day.

Director: Sam Wood
Screenwriter: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 33m

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