LOVE HAPPY
US, 1949, 85 minutes, Black and white.
Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Groucho Marx, Ilona Massey, Vera- Ellen, Marian Hutton, Raymond Burr, Melville Cooper, Paul Valentine, Marilyn Monroe.
Directed by David Miller.
Love Happy was the last film in which the Marx Brother acted together (they appeared separately in the 1957 The Story of Mankind). This film is based on a story by Harpo Marx and was designed to feature him as the central character. Chico Marx needed some finance and was added to the film. Publicists thought that Groucho needed to be present for advertising and so he is introduced as the narrator of the story and comes into action at the end. Harpo Marx gets the opportunity to do all his mute comedy as well as play Happy Birthday on the harp to Vera-Ellen? and do a harp recital. Chico Marx also has his opportunity to do his Italian-style comedy as well as play the piano. Groucho Marx’s part is not particularly well written – but it is interesting that he introduces Marilyn Monroe with some rhetorical questions to the audience as well as raised eyebrows.
Vera- Ellen was at the beginning of a short career as a dancer. She performed with Fred Astaire in The Belle of New York and Three Little Words as well as with Gene Kelly in On the Town. She appeared with Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby in White Christmas. Marian Hutton was Betty Hutton’s older sister. Ilona Massey, a Hungarian opera singer, appeared in some musicals with Nelson Eddy including Rosalie and Balalaika. Other character actors include Raymond Burr at the beginning of his career and Melville Cooper, so memorable from Pride and Prejudice.
The story is slight, a troupe putting on a show in New York and having financial difficulties, a gold-digger getting a diamond necklace from the Romanovs into the United States – and losing it because Harpo Marx was stealing food for the troupe and took the can of sardines in which the jewels were hidden.
The film is slight, however, it can be seen as the final Marx Brothers film after twenty years in films and the added pleasure of Vera- Ellen and her dancing – and the glimpse of Marilyn Monroe.
The film was written by Frank Tashlin, a cartoonist who made a number of comic films in the 50s and 60s including Artists and Models and Hollywood or Bust for Martin and Lewis as well as five films for Jerry Lewis. The film was directed by David Miller, a more serious director of such films as Billy the Kid and Backstreet.
1.A slight comedy? The opportunity to see the Marx Brothers at the end of their screen career?
2.Black and white photography, New York City, the shops, the streets, the police, the theatre? The musical score and the songs? Vera-Ellen’s? dancing? The title of the show, Love Happy?
3.Groucho Marx and his narration of the plot, as a detective, his humorous commentary, the encounter with his client, Marilyn Monroe? At the end, the confrontation with Madame Egelichi – and marrying her?
4.Harpo Marx, his mute comedy, the wig, the big coat, taking all the food? His smiles? Taking the jewels? His care for Maggie, Happy Birthday, playing the harp for her? His encounters with Chico – and the sign language through the phone? His getting the diamonds at the end?
5.Chico Marx, his persona, wanting to be in the show, reading minds, with Madame Egelichi? His playing the piano with the impresario who was mean with the money? His persuading him to give the money?
6.Madame Egelichi, Russian, the marriages, getting the diamonds? The confrontation with Harpo? Interrogating him? Her thugs torturing him? Going to the theatre, investing in the show? Trying to get the jewels? With Chico, with Groucho? The satire on the White Russians?
7.Mike Johnson, putting on the show, the lack of money, his pulling out? Love for Maggie, her disappointment? Star of the show? Bunny, part of the show, singing?
8.Mr Lyons, the money, his believing Chico, playing the violin with Chico?
9.Throckmorton, and the stealing of the jewels, the interrogation by Madame Egelichi? Her thugs and their standover tactics?
10.Popular ingredients, slight story, slapstick routines, Marx Brothers humour?
