The Marx Brothers’ first feature preserves the anarchic interplay of their stage shows, as well as the some of the more risque elements. For years, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx had been traveling the vaudeville circuit, perfecting their comic routines in a number of different loose revues. The energy of this performance style is present in all their film work, but never with quite the rawness, vitality and rudeness that you will find here. You’ll laugh a lot.

Before the Aug. 12 screening, join the Texas Book Festival in the AFS Cinema lobby as they kick off their Literary Libations with a free book swap and a signature cocktail inspired by the Algonquin Round Table! 2-5 PM. 

About this series

Scholar Dr. Caroline Frick joins us for a celebration of Hollywood films from the period of Hollywood history now known as the pre-code era. During this time, the studios had not yet made arrangements to self-censor their films for moral purity. As you might imagine, these movies are much wilder and more fun than the ones that followed a few years later, after the censorship code had been enacted. The first screening of each film will be followed by an audience discussion.