Movie Review: Horse Feathers - Page 2

Chico Marx utilizes his usual stereotypical Italian character to perfection with his portrayal of Baravelli. An incredible piano player, he uses his talents well in Horse Feathers and comes up with an amazingly sweet yet extremely amusing verse of “Everyone Says I Love You.” He sings: “Everyone says I love you, the great big mosquito when-a he sting you, the fly when he gets stuck on the flypaper too, says I love you.” Another terrific scene involves Baravelli “guarding” the speakeasy and, with Groucho, piling one pun on top of the other until the whole house of cards collapses.

Finally, Harpo provides the slapstick and absurdist comedy that so often threatens to run off the rails. His Pinky is fantastic, appearing on the scene as a dog catcher. His character, as per usual, is mute and uses many a sight gag. Perhaps one of the more famous gags from Horse Feathers is when Pinky, upon being told that he can’t “burn the candle at both ends,” produces – you guessed it – a candle burning at both ends.

Horse Feathers is really about watching the Marx Brothers do what they do best. It is a riot from start to finish, top-loaded with witticisms, physical comedy, and one of the most famous football sequences ever put to film. Sadly, the only existing prints are missing several minutes and have damaged portions, the most notable damage occurring during the scene in which the Marx Brothers visit Connie Bailey’s apartment. Nevertheless, Horse Feathers is a true comedy classic brimming with delightful chaos and ecstatic passion.

Article Author: Jordan Richardson

Jordan Richardson is a Canadian freelance writer and ne'er-do-well. He writes stuff here and here.

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