Love Happy starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, Harpo), Vera-Ellen and Marilyn Monroe
Synopsis of Love Happy
Private-Eye Sam Grunion is reminiscing via flashbacks back to his famous case involving the Romanoff diamonds. It begins with Harpo taking food from the rich for the poverty-stricken, starving troupe in rehearsal for a Broadway play. On one of his daily raids picks up a can of sardines where the Romanoff diamonds have been hidden. But only Madame Egelich and her two bodyguards know this, and she agrees to back the play, so they can be near the can of sardines and recover the diamonds. But Harpo and Faustino discover them first and they are chased all over NYC’s skyline by the bodyguards. Sam Grunion enters the case and quickly becomes enamored of Madame Egelich, and anything else wearing skirts.
Review of Love Happy
Love Happy, the final Marx Brothers film was originally written (by Harpo Marx himself) as a vehicle for Harpo, who had been wanting to pursue a solo film career. However, Chico was again in financial distress, and Harpo helped him by adding him to the film. Groucho had no interest in making the film, however, Harpo’s financial backers were unwilling to back a film with only two of the three Marx Brothers. So Groucho joined the film – under his conditions. This is why Groucho spends most of the film narrating, and why much of the humor is centered around Harpo. The ending is very funny, reminiscent of Harpo’s physical hijinks in classic Marx Brothers films like A Night at the Opera. Also, be forewarned – although Marilyn Monroe features prominently on the cover of the DVD, she’s only in the movie for a short period of time.
Be sure to check out the funny movie quotes from Love Happy as well.
Cast of characters in Love Happy
- Harpo (Harpo Marx, A Day at the Races). Harpo’s the main character, the mute, zany fellow who feeds the theater troupe – by stealing food from an upscale deli.
- Madame Egelichi (Ilona Massey, Invisible Agent). The lovely owner of the deli – that’s actually a jewel laundering business.
- Faustino the Great (Chico Marx, Duck Soup). A would-be performer, jack of all trades and master of none. The self-appointed liaison with the reluctant backer, Mr. Lyons.
- Mr. Lyons (Leon Belasco, Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion). The benefactor and violinist, who has memorable screen time with Chico.
- Mike Johnson (Paul Valentine, House of Strangers). The young man trying to put on a show with various “undiscovered talents”.
- Maggie Phillips (Vera-Ellen, White Christmas). Mike’s girlfriend, and dancer. An earlier appearance before she became famous.
- Detective Sam Grunion (Groucho Marx, You Bet Your Life). Narrator, who’s actually on screen for only a few minutes.
- Grunion’s Client (Marilyn Monroe, Some Like it Hot). Despite all of the advertising, she’s literally onscreen for 1 minute of the movie.
- Alphonse Zoto (Raymond Burr, Godzilla). One of the villainous minions.
- Hannibal Zoto (Bruce Gordon, Tower of London). Another minion.
- Mackinaw (Eric Blore, Top Hat). Comedic minion.