Film Review - Night in Casablanca, A

This was a hard film for me to watch. I am a die hard Marx Bros. fan. But A Night in Casablanca is proof that in 1946 the bloom was off the bud.

The Brothers are really showing their age. Harpo is 58 years old in this film. His gags have age lines. (Harpo leaning against a building. A cop says, "What do you think you're doing, holding up the building?" Harpo nods. Then the cop pulls him away and ... you saw it coming up fifth avenue... the building collapses.)

It's not that they aren't good gags, but we saw them 10 years earlier in A Night at the Opera. They were funny then, now the effect was worn off.

The Marx Bros. as a team didn't grow with the times. Each member of the troupe is playing the same character they always have. Now 20 years into their film career they have over-stayed their welcome. Skip this and go see Duck Soup.

Dust Bag Full

Film Facts

Directed by Archie Mayo

Released in 1946

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Reviewed by Mongo