Animal Crackers (1930)

95% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(9,848 ratings)

Animal Crackers, like The Cocoanuts before is an all-but-literal translation to film of a smash-hit Marx Brothers Broadway musical. The aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) holds a weekend party at her Long Island Estate. Her guest of honor is famed (but likely fraudulent) African… More Animal Crackers, like The Cocoanuts before is an all-but-literal translation to film of a smash-hit Marx Brothers Broadway musical. The aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont) holds a weekend party at her Long Island Estate. Her guest of honor is famed (but likely fraudulent) African explorer Geoffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx). Also showing up are renegade musician Signor Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx), the mute, girl-chasing "Professor" (Harpo Marx) and Spaulding's faithful secretary Horatio Jamison (Zeppo Marx). The film, revolving around a stolen painting, finds Groucho lecturing on his most recent safari ("One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know"), Harpo and Chico unabashedly cheating at bridge, Groucho dictating a wildly nonsequitur letter to the firm of Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger and McCormick, and Groucho and Chico drawing up plans to build a house. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Victor Heerman
Written By: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1930 Limited
On DVD: Oct 10, 2000
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Beloved but creaky Marx Brothers comedy hit.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A thoroughgoing derangement of Love's Labour's Lost, played saltando by the still-rough Marx Brothers
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an exceedingly hit-and-miss affair that is, unfortunately, more miss than hit.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The Marx Brothers second film was a box office smash that wowed the Depression audience with their zany brand of humor.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
The first Marx Brothers movie that really captures their unique approach to comedy.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Prime wackiness from the Brothers
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
More brilliant fun from the Marx Brothers.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Altho based on their hit stage play, resulting in a stagebound feel to the thing, many scenes with a cast of extras merely standing around in the background, nonetheless still zany. Groucho himself notes that "not all the jokes can be good", but then again, many are.… More
Altho based on their hit stage play, resulting in a stagebound feel to the thing, many scenes with a cast of extras merely standing around in the background, nonetheless still zany. Groucho himself notes that "not all the jokes can be good", but then again, many are. Margaret Dumont does better stuff with her eyes than some actresses do with their whole career. One of my favorites, including the classic " Hello, I Must Be Going".
AJ V

Very funny and silly, a classic Marx Brothers movie. The only thing I don't like about it is the ending, it's kind of strange. Otherwise, a great movie.
Anthony L

I love the Marx brothers but I can't say I understand why this is often referred to as their best!? I liked it but out of all their films that I've seen, this one has dated the most with the gags lacking their usual punch. They certainly improved after this and thankfully… More
I love the Marx brothers but I can't say I understand why this is often referred to as their best!? I liked it but out of all their films that I've seen, this one has dated the most with the gags lacking their usual punch. They certainly improved after this and thankfully the road to greatness wasn't a long one.
xGary X

Famous explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding returns from the dark continent to attend the unveiling of a work of art, but it is stolen from under their noses. Animal Crackers may not be the strongest of the Marx brothers films as it's firmly anchored to the stage, basically set… More
Famous explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding returns from the dark continent to attend the unveiling of a work of art, but it is stolen from under their noses. Animal Crackers may not be the strongest of the Marx brothers films as it's firmly anchored to the stage, basically set in its entirety in the same room but it still definitely has its moments. The earlier part of the film spends far too much time on the farcical plot and not enough on Groucho who is obviously the star of the show. Some of Chico and Harpo's antics are a little hit and miss, some of the routines outstaying their welcome somewhat (the card game in particular) and even some of Groucho's rants get positively surreal (maybe their context has been lost in the sands of time!) It certainly gets better as it goes on though, the Groucho/Chico gags a stand out and by the last scene I was LOL-ing my heart out. And at least Zeppo doesn't sing in this one...
Tim S

Very very funny, but not for the solid 100 mins unfortunately.
Cindy I

I LOVE the Marx Bros. and this is one of my favorites. Hooray for Captain Spaulding!
Jeremy S

"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know."
Matthew Y

"The other day I shot an elephant that was in my pajamas, how he got in my pajamas I have no idea." In that one line you should know if you'll enjoy the Marx Brothers or not. I for one do and although Animal Crackers is not the best film in the Marx cannon it certain… More
"The other day I shot an elephant that was in my pajamas, how he got in my pajamas I have no idea." In that one line you should know if you'll enjoy the Marx Brothers or not. I for one do and although Animal Crackers is not the best film in the Marx cannon it certain has it's moments and is a fan favorite.
Christopher B

Hilarious. The Marx Bros are fantastic and this is one of their best.
Lauren D

The Marx brothers are totally awesome!