A Night at the Opera

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A Night at the Opera

1935

1h 31m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

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71 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The Marx Brothers run amuck in the world of opera when Otis B. Driftwood meets aspiring singer Ricardo, who is determined to win the love of fellow performer Rosa. Aided by Fiorello and Tomasso, Otis attempts to unite the young couple, but faces opposition from the preening star Lassparri, 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

12/27/2023

[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.

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Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

11/20/2020

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.

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

11/20/2020

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.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

11/20/2023

4.5/5

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/02/2021

4/4

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

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Josephine O'Neill

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

11/20/2020

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.

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Barclay T.

@Barclay Dec 26

The cabin scene is a classic.

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Jarrod R

@RT27243469 Oct 19

With so many jokes per minute, it's hard to catch your breath. Then, just when you least suspect it, Allan Jones as Riccardo Barone and Kitty Carlisle as Rosa Castaldi grace us with their beautiful voices. In the next scene, Chico and Harpo demonstrate their musical talents with a rousing piano piece by the former and a signature harp solo by Harpo. I suppose it makes perfect sense that they have such mastery of comedy AND have equal musical talents, but it's just that much more humbling. All told, this does deserve a spot on the updated AFI 100 Years - 100 Movies list (right at 85). It's 90 years old this year, but it has aged like fine wine and will hopefully resonate with audiences for years to come.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 9

Funny in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!! Starring Groucho Marx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in 1935 in color and black and white versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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María O

@RT51769502 12/27/2024

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

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Mary Ann A

@RT54457991 09/02/2024

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!

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Christian K

@ckacar 02/09/2024

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.

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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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90%

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Synopsis

The Marx Brothers run amuck in the world of opera when Otis B. Driftwood meets aspiring singer Ricardo, who is determined to win the love of fellow performer Rosa. Aided by Fiorello and Tomasso, Otis attempts to unite the young couple, but faces opposition from the preening star Lassparri, 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: Warner Bros. International Television Production Finland, Warner Bros. De Lane Lea, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Bros. International Television Production France, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Discovery, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), Warner Bros. International Television Production NZ, Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, Warner Bros. Domestic Television, Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Warner Bros. International Television Production Sverige, Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, Warner Bros. International Television Production Deutschland GmbH, Warner Bros. Entertainment España, Warner Bros. International Tel, TVN Warner Bros. Discovery, Warner Bros. International Television Production Nederland BV, Warner Bros. Animation
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 31m

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