The Big Store (1941)
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67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(548 ratings)
In the last of the Marx Brothers' MGM films, The Big Store, Groucho Marx plays two-bit detective Wolf J. Flywheel, hired by department-store owner Martha Phelps (Margaret Dumont) to act as bodyguard for Martha's nephew and sole heir, Tommy Rogers (Tony Martin). Crooked store manager Grover… More In the last of the Marx Brothers' MGM films, The Big Store, Groucho Marx plays two-bit detective Wolf J. Flywheel, hired by department-store owner Martha Phelps (Margaret Dumont) to act as bodyguard for Martha's nephew and sole heir, Tommy Rogers (Tony Martin). Crooked store manager Grover (Douglas Dumbrille) is anxious to take over the operation and to hide the fact that he's been juggling the books; to expedite this, he has arranged several "accidents" to put Tommy out of the way. Despite his monumental ineptitude, Flywheel manages to protect Tommy from harm, with the help of his mute assistant, Wacky (Harpo Marx), and Tommy's music-teacher pal, Ravelli (Chico Marx). After a series of yawn-provoking complications, Grover tries once more to kill Tommy during a musical reception given in honor of the store's merger with the Hastings Brothers. When this also fails, he kidnaps Tommy's girlfriend, Joan (Virginia Grey), a bit of skullduggery captured on film by camera-wielding Ravelli. Grover's efforts to get his hands on the incriminating photo leads to a zany slapstick chase through the department store, culminating in the villain's capture ("I told you in the first reel he was a crook," observes Flywheel) and a happy ending for Tommy and Joan. The opening routine in Groucho's seedy office and Harpo's harp solo (in which, through trick photography, he accompanies himself on flute and bass violin) are the only scenes truly worth watching in The Big Store; the big-chase finale is compromised by the fact that the Marx Brothers' stunt doubles do all the work, while the film's major production number, "Tenement Symphony," is downright embarrassing. The Marxes were so disappointed with The Big Store that they vowed to quit moviemaking altogether -- only to return to the screen five years later in A Night in Casablanca. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Reisner, Charles Riesner
- Written By
- Sid Kuller, Hal Fimberg, Ray Golden
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 20, 1941 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Too many dead spots.
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Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Low-grade comedy is a disappointment for Marx fans
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The kind of movie that takes you about an hour to figure out that you've already seen it. If you last an hour.
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Emily Blunt, Blunt Review
Four stars JUST for Harpo's secret room concert!
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One of the boys' weaker entries, but with enough good moments to make it worthwhile.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Groucho Marx
as Wolf J. Flywheel
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Chico Marx
as Ravelli
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Harpo Marx
as Wacky
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Tony Martin
as Tommy Rogers
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Virginia Grey
as Joan Sutton
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Margaret Dumont
as Martha Phelps
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Douglas Dumbrille
as Mr. Grover
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William Tannen
as Fred Sutton
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Marion Martin
as Peggy Arden
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Virginia O'Brien
as Kitty
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Henry Armetta
as Giuseppe
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Anna Demetrio
as Maria
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Paul Stanton
as George Hastings
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Russell Hicks
as Arthur Hastings
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Bradley Page
as Duke
- Clara Blandick
- Harry C. Bradley
- Charles Holland
- Marx Brothers
- Douglass Dumbrille