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Animal Crackers

Play trailer Poster for Animal Crackers G Released Aug 28, 1930 1h 37m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The well-known explorer and hunter Captain Spaulding has just returned from Africa, and is being welcomed home with a lavish party at the estate of influential society matron Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) when a valuable painting goes missing. The intrepid Captain Spaulding attempts to solve the crime with the help of his silly secretary Horatio Jamison, while sparring with the anarchic Signor Emanuel Ravelli and his nutty sidekick The Professor.

Critics Reviews

View All (29) Critics Reviews
Mordaunt Hall New York Times This mad affair suits the principals and its absurdities brought forth gales of laughter yesterday afternoon. Jan 28, 2006 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Animal Crackers is an improvement on The Cocoanuts with The Marx Brothers bringing the funny in a way that only they can. Rated: 4/5 Nov 15, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This and The Cocoanuts squeak by on the top-notch comedy quotient. Rated: 3/4 Nov 12, 2023 Full Review Francois Truffaut Arts (France) One laughs with this movie as much as one did twenty years ago. The extraordinary sequences of the bridge party and Harpo’s arrival are as irresistible as they used to be. May 6, 2022 Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor Flaws, miscalculations, and songs notwithstanding, Animal Crackers is a peach. Aug 6, 2021 Full Review Dick Lochte Los Angeles Free Press With a Marx Brothers movie, success becomes largely a matter of routines. Dec 13, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (469) audience reviews
Robert S I watched this one along with Duck Soup and Horse Feathers very recently. If you enjoy Marx Brothers, you'll enjoy this movie, if you're new to them I'd watch Duck Soup or one of the others first. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Tony S A classic? If you love the Marx Brothers. I like the Marx Brothers, but this was a bit silly for me. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/21/24 Full Review John Y First time I’ve seen this movie in decades. This film has either been restored or the version(s) I had seen before have either been edited, damaged and/or incomplete. The scenes I hadn’t seen before were great and made the film that much better. An early Marx classic. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review acsdoug D One of the Marx Brothers' best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/17/24 Full Review Robert L A riotous comedy classic that showcases the Marx Brothers' genius In the annals of comedy, few names shine as brightly as the Marx Brothers. Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Groucho, a quartet of sibling performers, brought a unique brand of anarchy, wit, and physical humor to the silver screen, leaving audiences in stitches from the time their first film, "The Cocoanuts," debuted in 1929. Their second feature, "Animal Crackers," released the following year, further cemented their status as comedic legends. Groucho Takes Center Stage Groucho Marx, the sharp-tongued, cigar-chomping ringleader of the group, steals the show with his unmatched wit and quick-fire banter. His character, Captain Spaulding, a self-proclaimed explorer and ladies' man, is a perfect vehicle for Groucho's signature brand of humor, a blend of innuendo, punny wordplay, and sly observations about the absurdity of human nature. A Chorus of Comic Geniuses While Groucho is the undisputed star, the other Marx Brothers also shine in their own unique ways. Harpo, the silent but expressive member of the troupe, communicates through pantomime and musical hijinks, often leaving audiences in stitches with his mischievous antics and uncanny ability to make us laugh without saying a word. Chico, with his thick Italian accent and penchant for nonsensical lyrics, adds a layer of musical comedy to the mix, while Zeppo, the straight man of the group, plays the straight-laced foil to his brothers' antics. A Classic Comedy Showcase "Animal Crackers" is a comedy classic for a reason. It's packed with hilarious scenes, quotable lines, and a sense of improvisational chaos that's sure to tickle even the most jaded of comedy fans. From the opening scene, where the brothers crash a society party hosted by the wealthy Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont), to the climactic bridge game where Groucho's outrageous behavior sends the entire room into a tailspin, there's no shortage of laughs to be had. A Timeless Delight Despite being over 90 years old, "Animal Crackers" remains as fresh and funny as ever. Its timeless humor, sharp wit, and undeniable charm have ensured its place among the greatest comedies ever made. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Marx Brothers or a newcomer to their comedic genius, "Animal Crackers" is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of comedy. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review John G Plotless, disjointed, tediously missing the mark and only occasionally funny, this one is best ignored. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Animal Crackers

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Cast & Crew

Animal Crackers

Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Well, Three Anyway Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Well, Three Anyway 2:53 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Chase'a Da Women Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Chase'a Da Women 1:55 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - You Are A Contemptible Cur! Animal Crackers: Official Clip - You Are A Contemptible Cur! 2:53 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - The Professor! Animal Crackers: Official Clip - The Professor! 2:05 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Where's The Flesh? Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Where's The Flesh? 2:05 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - You Sure Surprised Me Animal Crackers: Official Clip - You Sure Surprised Me 2:19 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Africa, God's Country Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Africa, God's Country 2:57 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Let's Play Bridge Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Let's Play Bridge 2:53 Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Hello, I Must Be Going Animal Crackers: Official Clip - Hello, I Must Be Going 2:58 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis The well-known explorer and hunter Captain Spaulding has just returned from Africa, and is being welcomed home with a lavish party at the estate of influential society matron Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) when a valuable painting goes missing. The intrepid Captain Spaulding attempts to solve the crime with the help of his silly secretary Horatio Jamison, while sparring with the anarchic Signor Emanuel Ravelli and his nutty sidekick The Professor.
Director
Victor Heerman
Distributor
Paramount Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 1930, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2020
Runtime
1h 37m