At the Circus Overview:

At the Circus (1939) was a Comedy - Musical Film directed by Edward Buzzell and produced by Mervyn LeRoy.

SYNOPSIS

The Marx Brothers save a mortgaged circus by convincing a Newport socialite to buy it for one show only. It may be past prime time for Marx films, but it's tough to beat a rousing rendition of "Lydia the Tattooed Lady."

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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BlogHub Articles:

Watching 1939: At the Circus (1939)

on Jul 25, 2019 From Comet Over Hollywood

In 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them.?As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film of the year. Right now, tha... Read full article


1001 Classic Movies: At the Circus

By Amanda Garrett on Mar 13, 2017 From Old Hollywood Films

At the Circus (1939) is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. The photo shows from left: Groucho Marx; Charles Gemora in the gorilla suit; Harpo Marx; Florence Rice, and Chico Marx. Each Monday, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 series... Read full article


AT THE CIRCUS BLOGATHON: Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)

on Nov 13, 2016 From Caftan Woman

Critica Retro and Serendipitous Anachronisms are hosting the At the Circus Blogathon running from November 11 to 13. Click HERE for all the fun and excitement under the big top! Lt. Macy: "How did the snake get in here?" Holt: "How did the ape get out of the cage?" Questions, questions, so ma... Read full article


AT THE CIRCUS BLOGATHON: Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)

By Caftan Woman on Nov 13, 2016 From Caftan Woman

Critica Retro and Serendipitous Anachronisms are hosting the At the Circus Blogathon running from November 11 to 13. Click HERE for all the fun and excitement under the big top! Lt. Macy: "How did the snake get in here?" Holt: "How did the ape get out of the cage?" Questions, questions, so m... Read full article


At The Circus – Blogathon

By Summer Reeves on Nov 12, 2016 From Serendipitous Anachronisms

At The Circus – Blogathon 12 Saturday Nov 2016 Posted by Summer Reeves in Cinema ≈ 21 Comments While it has been a shocking week for many in the U.S. and around the world, we hope you find a happy blogathon a welcome relief?a... Read full article


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Quotes from

Antonio Pirelli: You know what I say. Whenever you got business trouble the best thing to do is to get a lawyer. Then you got more trouble, but at least you got a lawyer.


Antonio Pirelli: If you please, Mistah Carter?
John Carter: What do you want?
Antonio Pirelli: Can I have a month off next August?
John Carter: What for?
Antonio Pirelli: Well, you see, my lawyer, he got-a me a divorce, and one month every year I win the custody of my wife's parents.


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Facts about

Groucho Marx was fond of recounting how the original owner of the "gorilla skin" used in he film was so incensed when the stunt man wearing it poked ventilation holes in it with an ice pick that he took his suit and walked off the picture, forcing the producers to hastily rent an orangutan skin as a replacement. For this reason, Groucho claimed, the gorilla gets bigger and smaller from shot to shot. The man in the gorilla suit is in fact Charles Gemora, well know movie sculptor and gorilla artist, wearing his own custom made suit.
During "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" Groucho sings "Here is Captain Spalding exploring the Amazon". This is a reference to his character in Animal Crackers.
The Marx Brothers had been out of favor at MGM since the sudden 1936 death of their producer and benefactor Irving Thalberg during the production of A Day at the Races. So in the middle of the production ofAt the Circus, longtime Thalberg rival Louis B. Mayer removed songwriters Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg from the Marx Brothers film and reassigned them to the 'prestige' MGM production The Wizard of Oz.
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Also directed by Edward Buzzell




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Also produced by Mervyn LeRoy




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