Day 61- Movie 51. A Night in Casablanca (1946)

I've been meaning to watch a Marx Brothers movie because I wanted to discuss these actors a bit and their interesting, unique movies. They made a number of famous comedies, some of which are considered among the greatest comedies ever made. This film, A Night in Casablanca was one of their later efforts, but is also considered a very strong movie. I would agree that the film is good, although it certainly has some limitations as well.

The movie was supposed to be a spoof of Casablanca, but the script was eventually rewritten as a more original, unique story. There are definitely elements of Casablanca here, but there's also references to To Have and Have Not, so this movie is really a spoof of a genre, not really of a certain film. I like that the film offers up its own story, but it so clearly was designed to spoof a certain movie that it is a bit disappointing it doesn't do that more.

There are a few very funny scenes with Groucho, Harpo, and Chico. I always enjoy watching the zany, elaborate comedy scenes they come up with. While the ones here don't reach the heights of their most famous scenes, several are pretty enjoyable. I like watching what passed as comedy in the 1940s. It was very different than from today. Some of the jokes are still funny, but others are just so corny that they don't hit modern audiences the same way.

I wonder how many movie watchers today have gone back to watch some of the classic Marx Brothers films. If you haven't done so, I highly recommend seeing Duck Soup. That film features some of the most unbelievable, impressive comedy scenes of all time. It was highly influential, and is regarded as one of the greatest comedies of all time. That film is one of my favorite older comedies. I still marvel at what the Marx Brothers were able to pull off in the early 1930s. A Night in Casablanca isn't as good as that film, but it possesses many similar qualities.

I enjoyed this movie and it craziness. I wish the film had been more of a direct spoof, and I admit the end falls apart a bit. However, it was still a fun, funny movie to watch. I would give this film a 7/10.

On the 100 movies in 100 days front, I'm obviously at the worst point yet. I'm a whopping 10 movies down, with only 39 days to go. 49 movies in 39 days? That is going to be very, very tough. I wish I could have seen more, but I spent the last 13 days in New York and Florida, and I had more important things going on. The next 10 days aren't exactly wide open, so I may be in even more trouble a week from today. I still have a valid chance at achieving my goal, but I am going to have to get very, very busy.