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Animal Crackers (1930)

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Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 21
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 1

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Release Date: Aug 28, 1930 Limited

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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 9,753

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Movie Info

Animal Crackers, like The Cocoanuts before is an all-but-literal translation to film of a smash-hit Marx Brothers Broadway musical. The aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) holds a weekend party at her Long Island Estate. Her guest of honor is famed (but likely fraudulent) African explorer Geoffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx). Also showing up are renegade musician Signor Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx), the mute, girl-chasing "Professor" (Harpo Marx) and Spaulding's faithful secretary

G, 1 hr. 38 min.

Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Victor Heerman

Written By: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1930 Limited

On DVD: Oct 10, 2000

MCA Universal Home Video

Animal Crackers Trailer & Photos

Cast

Groucho Marx
Capt. Jeffrey T. Spauld...
Harpo Marx
The Professor
Chico Marx
Signor Emmanuel Ravelli
Zeppo Marx
Horatio Jamison
Lillian Roth
Arabella Rittenhouse
Margaret Dumont
Mrs. Rittenhouse
Louis Sorin
Roscoe W. Chandler
Hal Thompson
John Parker
Margaret Irving
Mrs. Whitehead
Kathryn Reece
Grace Carpenter
Robert Greig
Horace Hives
Edward Metcalf
Insp. Hennessey
Donald MacBride
Bit Part
Marx Brothers
The Music Masters
Six Footmen

Critic Reviews for Animal Crackers

All Critics (27) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (1) | DVD (11)

Beloved but creaky Marx Brothers comedy hit.

December 14, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

A thoroughgoing derangement of Love's Labour's Lost, played saltando by the still-rough Marx Brothers

February 24, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion

| Comment

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

...an exceedingly hit-and-miss affair that is, unfortunately, more miss than hit.

February 28, 2006 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comments (3)

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

The Marx Brothers second film was a box office smash that wowed the Depression audience with their zany brand of humor.

April 10, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The first Marx Brothers movie that really captures their unique approach to comedy.

July 23, 2004 Comment

Dan Lybarger

Nitrate Online

Prime wackiness from the Brothers

January 11, 2004 Comment

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

More brilliant fun from the Marx Brothers.

December 12, 2002 Comment

Gerry Shamray

Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

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Audience Reviews for Animal Crackers

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Very funny and silly, a classic Marx Brothers movie. The only thing I don't like about it is the ending, it's kind of strange. Otherwise, a great movie.

September 3, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

I love the Marx brothers but I can't say I understand why this is often referred to as their best!? I liked it but out of all their films that I've seen, this one has dated the most with the gags lacking their usual punch. They certainly improved after this and thankfully the road to greatness wasn't a long one.

October 12, 2010

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

Animal Crackers Quotes

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1. Capt. Jeffrey T. Spaulding: One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know.
– Submitted by Tyler C (10 months ago)