At the Circus (1939) starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, Harpo), Margaret Dumont, Eve Arden
At the Circus is perhaps the Marx Brothers‘ most underrated comedy. It’s quite funny, with a very zany ending. Complete with Harpo’s athletic working on the high wires, reminiscent of the ending of A Night at the Opera. The plot involves the obligatory love interest, a wealthy young man who forsakes the fortune of his rich aunt (played by Groucho’s perpetual foil, Margaret Dumont) to run the circus that his girlfriend performs in.
But when the evil owner of the circus steals the money needed to pay off the mortgage, it falls upon the strongman’s assistant Punchy (Harpo Marx), circus hand Antonio Pirelli (Chico Marx) and Antonio’s shyster lawyer friend, J. Cheever Loophole (Groucho Marx). With an assist from a gorilla named Gibraltar, one of Groucho’s funniest co-stars.
J. Cheever Loophole (Groucho Marx, You Bet Your Life, Duck Soup). The proverbial shyster lawyer, who tries to help by having Eve Arden walk on the ceiling.
Antonio (Chico Marx, A Night at the Opera). The circus employee who tries to help Jeff Wilson keep the circus, with Punchy’s help.
Punchy (Harpo Marx, Horse Feathers). The mute assistant to Goliath, the circus strongman, who tries to help Jeff as well.
Other characters
Jeff Wilson (Kenny Baker, Stage Door Canteen). The owner of the circus, who’s in danger of losing ownership to his partner, John Carter, after $10,000 is stolen.
Julie Randall (Florence Rice, Double Wedding). Jeff’s girlfriend, the obligatory love interest.
Peerless Pauline (Eve Arden, Our Miss Brooks). Circus aerialist, who’s helping John Carter get control of the circus by hook or crook.
Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury (Margaret Dumont, Little Giant, Bathing Beauty). Rich society matron who has a circus unexpectedly performing at her estate. Groucho’s recurring foil and straight person.
Goliath (Nat Pendleton, Buck Privates, The Thin Man). Circus strong man, abusive to his assistant Punchy, helping John Carter try to steal the circus from Jeff.
John Carter (James Burke, The Maltese Falcon, Ruggles of Red Gap). Jeff’s unscrupulous partner, who orchestrates the theft of $10,000 so Jeff can’t pay off his debt. And Carter can take control of the circus.
Originally entitled “A Day at the Circus” it was to be the third in the Marx Brothers‘ “Day/Night” series after A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937)
Songs
Lydia, the Tattooed Lady(1939) Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. Sung by Groucho Marx and chorus, with Chico Marx at piano
Two Blind Loves (1939) Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. Sung by Kenny Baker and Florence Rice (dubbed by Evelyn Jurs)
Swingali (1939) Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. Sung by Dudley Dickerson and many unidentified singers, Danced by Harpo Marx
Step Up and Take a Bow (1939) Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. Performed by Florence Rice (dubbed by Evelyn Jurs) and an unidentified circus horse.
Auld Lang Syne, (1788) Traditional Scottish 17th century music. Played a bit in the “Swingali” number.
My Melancholy Baby (1911) Music by Ernie Burnett. Played a bit on a trombone in the “Swingali” number.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Written by Wallis Willis. Sung a bit in the “Swingali” number by unidentified singers and played on a harp by Harpo Marx
Oh! Susanna (1848) Written by Stephen Foster. Sung a cappella by Groucho Marx with modified lyrics
Rock-a-Bye Baby (pub. 1765) Traditional. Sung a bit by Chico Marx; played on harmonica and flute by Harpo Marx
Jingle Bells (1857) Music by James Pierpont. Whistled by Harpo Marx
