There are enough song, dance and Harpo routines in "The Big Store" to classify it as a musical, and that's just including the numbers done by the Marx Brothers. Throw in some additional tunes by co-star Tony Martin, and you've probably got more minutes of music than not in this 1941 frolic. The story involves Martin's character Tommy Rogers and his inheritance of half of the Phelps Department Store, and his intention to sell that share so he can pursue his musical career and marry his love interest Joan Sutton (Virginia Grey). Store Manager Grover (Douglas Dumbrille) has other plans though, and they include doing away with anyone who'll get in the way of his taking over the entire enterprise. Pretty serious stuff, but with the Marx Brothers on hand, it'll take more than a couple of inept goons to win the day.
Serious fans of the Marx Brothers will find this film to be one of their weaker entries, but this viewer managed to find it entertaining enough. The movie offers the only time when Harpo and Chico perform a piano duet in a movie together, and Harpo's three way mirror routine on his signature instrument is done with a series of effective double takes. However the action that I was more than willing to rewind for was Virginia O'Brien's rendition of "Rock It, Baby", a highly energetic song done in complete deadpan style. I can't recall ever having seen a routine like it before, and it's hilarious.
Rounding out the cast is perennial foil Margaret Dumont as Martha Phelps, widow of the deceased department store owner. She tries to balance her affections between the conniving Grover, and Groucho's character Wolf J. Flywheel. It probably doesn't matter much that Groucho's character is a detective, when reducing the store to shambles with the help of Ravelli and cousin Wacky (Chico and Harpo) is just a matter of time. Gags, one liners, music and destruction - what else could you ask for in a Marx Brothers movie? - it's all here!
Serious fans of the Marx Brothers will find this film to be one of their weaker entries, but this viewer managed to find it entertaining enough. The movie offers the only time when Harpo and Chico perform a piano duet in a movie together, and Harpo's three way mirror routine on his signature instrument is done with a series of effective double takes. However the action that I was more than willing to rewind for was Virginia O'Brien's rendition of "Rock It, Baby", a highly energetic song done in complete deadpan style. I can't recall ever having seen a routine like it before, and it's hilarious.
Rounding out the cast is perennial foil Margaret Dumont as Martha Phelps, widow of the deceased department store owner. She tries to balance her affections between the conniving Grover, and Groucho's character Wolf J. Flywheel. It probably doesn't matter much that Groucho's character is a detective, when reducing the store to shambles with the help of Ravelli and cousin Wacky (Chico and Harpo) is just a matter of time. Gags, one liners, music and destruction - what else could you ask for in a Marx Brothers movie? - it's all here!