At the Circus

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At the Circus

Released Oct 20, 1939

1h 27m

Comedy

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10 Reviews

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1,000+ Ratings

At the Circus features the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo, Chico) working together to save a circus from closing. Circus owner Jeff (Kenny Baker) needs $10,000 to pay off his business partner, John. In an effort to take over the circus himself, John allows his accomplices to steal the $10,000 from Jeff before he can pay. Loophole (Groucho Marx), a clumsy attorney who tries to help recover the money, enlists the help of wealthy Mrs. Dukesbury (Margaret Dumont).

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2002

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

At the Circus is something of a return to form for the Marx Brothers but not quite as good as their best work at Paramount or MGM.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 3, 2024

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Beguiling

Oct 10, 2009

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Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly

Rated: 3/5

Jun 24, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 18, 2005

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The beginning of the Marx Brothers slide from their peak comedies.

Rated: B-

Apr 8, 2005

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Kevin L

More grand stuff from the greatest comedy team of them all. There's many of the classic Marx bros. style laughs- clever wordplay, perfectly executed physical humor, Harpo with whatever you need under his coat, and Chico being a plan botching doofus. The use of the circus animals made for some cool scenes. The lions went from terrifying to sleepy cats. An ostrich makes for a quick ride to help out; not to mention a convenient egg. And how did they train that seal? I think his name was Alex. Yes, that's it. Alex the seal. Just like the Go-Go's song. It's great to see how they were still all-in and committed after years of making such comedic classics. There's a limit to the overdone singing, which made me happy. Of course, Margaret Dumont did her thing. Some impressive acrobatics and a woman who walks upside down. Whatta dame, Eve Arden. Then there's the kid who gave us some borderling profanity. All in a mouse's night. 3.3 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

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christopher c. m

Like most Marx brothers movies, it can drag in the middle. But it is funny, as always with the Marx brothers and there are some impressive circus stunts. A must for Marx brothers fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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steve d

A lot of fun and really funny.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Not up there with "Duck Soup" or "Horse Feathers" or "A Night at the Opera", but "At the Circus" still gives us the Marx Bros with some wonderfully comic moments. Despite the laughs it does feel a bit like the brothers brand of comedy is starting to fade, however.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

Although it needs a lot of editing, the Marx Brothers give us a comedy worthy of all-star status. The last scenes at the "Dumont" mansion were probably the most popular, as the boys get to parlay their sharp and witty humor on the unsuspecting society matron at her own estate. I doubt that she woke up that morning expecting to be shot from a cannon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

The best movie song ever sung: Lydia the Tattooed Lady!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Edward Buzzell

Director

Groucho Marx

Attorney Loophole

Harpo Marx

Punchy

Chico Marx

Antonio

Margaret Dumont

Mrs. Dukesbury

Eve Arden

Peerless Pauline

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Synopsis

At the Circus features the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo, Chico) working together to save a circus from closing. Circus owner Jeff (Kenny Baker) needs $10,000 to pay off his business partner, John. In an effort to take over the circus himself, John allows his accomplices to steal the $10,000 from Jeff before he can pay. Loophole (Groucho Marx), a clumsy attorney who tries to help recover the money, enlists the help of wealthy Mrs. Dukesbury (Margaret Dumont).

Director: Edward Buzzell
Producer: Mervyn LeRoy
Screenwriter: Irving Brecher
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2008
Runtime: 1h 27m

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