On this episode of Full Marx, Ian and David take a long look at A Day at the Races – a really long movie that took a long time to make! It was their most popular film that made a lot of money for them, but is it any good? Ian and David will tell you.
Thanks for listening.
Groucho sings “Dr. Hackenbush”, the Kalmar and Ruby song that was cut out of A Day at the Races:
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Those fine and witty fellows over at the Marx Brothers Council podcast were saying some complimentary things about Full Marx in their latest episode. Have you thought about reaching out to them, perhaps towards the end of the run? I reckon a joint show would be a blast.
RE: Harpo stealing the $5 back from the sheriff — he pulls out the man’s sock attached to a sock garter, something many men wore in those days.
And Tony finds Hackenbush’s watch, not a letter. It is engraved “for saving my horse”
How did I remember this as a letter??? How dumb!
Thanks, Jerry!
The Annotated Marx Brothers by Matthew Coniam is an excellent resource for exploring the outdated references in the films. The Kindle version is very inexpensive. https://amzn.to/2PQuEeo
Ok, so you boys have managed to destroy my enjoyment of “Races” for life. This was the first Marx movie I saw at age 12 in 1976. I loved it, and immediately began a lifelong obsession with the Marxes and their comedy. Until today, alas, this was my favorite movie.
That aside, I enjoyed your take on the film. Keep up the great work! (Seriously!) You talked about the ending, positing that they should have paid off with Groucho finally admitting to being a horse doctor ( which IS much funnier than calling him a veterinarian.)
Personally Dave, I think your own expertise tainted your view of the way horses are used and portrayed in the film. I forgive you. (haha)
But, I digress– Groucho does tell Emily in the final scene, “Emily, marry me, and I’ll never look at another horse!”) Doesn’t that give him up by implication?
Finally, not to sound like a one-trick Hi Hat, but in your extremely well-done context/backstory, you mention in passing that Harpo secretly got married during the filming of Races–however, aGAIN, you neglected to mention that Harpo married Susan Fleming, the star of “Million Dollar Legs”, a film you have referenced on at least 2 previous podcasts. What a missed opportunity! Don’t let it happen again, sir!.
I anxiously await your next Full Marx show!! (However, I fear you will have to spend most of the rest them talking about how the films failed to live up to the Marxes best standards.
Marx on, boys!
Danny Joseph
PS: In your Night at the Opera show, when talking about Kitty Carlisle on “What’s My Line” I would have like to have heard you discuss Chico’s appearance on the show dressed as Harpo.
David Dedrick’s observations are simultaneously thoughtful and hilarious. Even an amateur cutting of the film to the essentials cannot cover for the complete lack of continuity or storyline – and “Dr. Hackenbush” would have been far more welcome than “Blue Venetian Shades” or whatever Allan Jones was singing. Thanks for providing Noah Diamond’s edit at the start of these comments.