Most historians feel that the Marxes quality went into steady decline soon after Day at the Races, and I wouldn't debate that, though I do feel that all of their post-Day at the Races films have their moments. A Night in Casablanca,
however, is an exception in that it has the most consistent laughs and feels the most like an earlier Marx-styled film, at least up until the last 10 or so minutes of a formulaic climax. But with the climax being the weakest and least "Marxian" moment of the film, you've already been hooked in and enjoyed the ride fully
enough to be forgiving. (The film almost feels like a different director took over at this moment). Groucho, in particular, seemingly aware of the incongruous
nature of the film's ending within a Marxian universe, manages to spice up the moments with a few hilarious zingers. One moment that comes to mind is in the climax during the comedy standard, "comedians in a runaway airplane trying to fly" bit that's been overdone by every classic comic on earth, where Groucho
recites a line he was probably forced to say. "We're up in the air!" (or something to that effect), followed by what appears to be a great improvised line that pretty much sums the moment up, "that's probably the dumbest thing I've ever said".
(again, I'm paraphrasing here). No, Groucho, that line is smarter than you think. I consider this film their last true hurrah and, in many ways, more enjoyable than Night at the Opera and Day at the Races in that there's no weighted musical
numbers to drag the momentum down.
however, is an exception in that it has the most consistent laughs and feels the most like an earlier Marx-styled film, at least up until the last 10 or so minutes of a formulaic climax. But with the climax being the weakest and least "Marxian" moment of the film, you've already been hooked in and enjoyed the ride fully
enough to be forgiving. (The film almost feels like a different director took over at this moment). Groucho, in particular, seemingly aware of the incongruous
nature of the film's ending within a Marxian universe, manages to spice up the moments with a few hilarious zingers. One moment that comes to mind is in the climax during the comedy standard, "comedians in a runaway airplane trying to fly" bit that's been overdone by every classic comic on earth, where Groucho
recites a line he was probably forced to say. "We're up in the air!" (or something to that effect), followed by what appears to be a great improvised line that pretty much sums the moment up, "that's probably the dumbest thing I've ever said".
(again, I'm paraphrasing here). No, Groucho, that line is smarter than you think. I consider this film their last true hurrah and, in many ways, more enjoyable than Night at the Opera and Day at the Races in that there's no weighted musical
numbers to drag the momentum down.