Horse Feathers (Marx Brothers)

"Tomorrow we start tearing down the college."
"But, Professor, where will the students sleep?"
"Where they always sleep: in the classroom."

Huxley College welcomes a new president, Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho), who explains to the staff and students his motto "Whatever it is, I'm against it!" Later he is greeted by his son Frank (Zeppo)

"Dad, let me congratulate you. I'm proud to be your son."
"My boy, you took the words right out of my mouth. I'm ashamed to be your father. You're a disgrace to our family name of Wagstaff, if such a thing is possible."

Frank has been seeing the college widow* Connie (Todd), and Professor Wagstaff does not approve. Frank changes the subject and suggests going to the speakeasy to recruit 2 football players for the big game against their biggest rival, Darwin College. At the speakeasy, Prof. Wagstaff recruits iceman/bartender Baravelli (Chico) and iceman/dog catcher Pinky (Harpo) to play football.

"In case I never see you again, which would add ten years to my life, what would you fellas want to play football?"
"Well, first we want a football."
"Well, I don't know if we've got a football, but if I can find one, would you be interested? I don't want a hasty answer, just sleep on it."
"I no think I can sleep on a football."

They wreck havoc in the classroom, and all chase after the college widow.


The only thing missing from this film is Margaret Dumont (also missing from Monkey Business)... Thelma Todd plays off the Marx Brothers well, but she isn't Dumont. She isn't a foil for Groucho as much as an object of affection. Each brother serenades her in his own way, "Everyone Says I Love You": Zeppo plays it straight, Harpo plays the harp, Chico makes it up as he goes, and Groucho sarcastically alters the original verse.

There is a memorable exchange between Chico and Groucho discussing the password to the speakeasy (it's 'swordfish'). There are many other good moments in the film. But it is the ending football game that steals the show. After the Brothers are all on the field you can't help but laugh the entire time. Definitely top 5 Marx Brother films.

*According to Wikipedia, the term college widow refers to a woman who stays in college after graduation in order to find a husband (usually a derogatory term). In the present day you would say she was trying to get her MRS (Mrs.) degree... or she would attend a Christian college to get a "ring by spring" (I went to a Christan college...and graduated without either)

To read another review of this film (and other Marx Brother films) go to this site: http://theageofcomedy.laurelandhardycentral.com/horsefeathers.html

Horse Feathers (1932) 68 minutes
Director: Norman Z. McLeod
Starring: Groucho Marx as Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff
Harpo Marx as Pinky
Chico Marx as Baravelli
Zeppo Marx as Frank Wagstaff
Thelma Todd as Connie Bailey
David Landau as Jennings
Nat Pendleton as MacHardie
James Pierce as Mullen