This and their next movie, LOVE HAPPY, are pleasant enough Marx Brothers films, but they are a far cry from their earlier classic films, such as HORSE FEATHERS (my favorite) or DUCK SOUP. Instead of the creativity and energy of these earlier films, A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA looks like a Marx Brothers movie in slow motion and with fewer laughs--plus perhaps too much plot! Early Marx Brothers films really seemed as if the plot was just an excuse to string together jokes and they really didn't rely too much on sticking with a script. Here, though, it's more "by the numbers"--with just a much lower degree of spontaneity and a plot that takes precedence over the laughs. In this case, Sig Ruman is a Nazi in hiding (very topical for 1946) and the brothers' job is to expose him and the rest of his evil henchmen. This really sounds more like a plot for a drama than the silliness you'd expect from the Marx's.
Still, it does have a few decent laughs and is fun to watch for the devoted fans. However, if you haven't seen one of their films before or if you don't particularly care for their film, try another one, please!!! This is like a shadow of their former zaniness.
Still, it does have a few decent laughs and is fun to watch for the devoted fans. However, if you haven't seen one of their films before or if you don't particularly care for their film, try another one, please!!! This is like a shadow of their former zaniness.