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Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Lucille Ball, Ann Miller ... see more see more... , Frank Albertson , Donald MacBride , Philip Loeb , Philip Wood , Alexander Asro , Charles Halton , Clifford Dunstan , Marx Brothers

Having paid $255,500 for the rights to John Murray and Allen Boretz' Broadway hit Room Service, RKO Radio then scouted about for a "perfect" cast. Thanks to the persistence of show-biz agent Zeppo Mar... read more read more...x, RKO was able to secure the services of Zeppo's brothers Groucho, Harpo and Chico Marx for $100,000. The result is an uneven but entertaining blend of traditional stage farce and Marxian madness. Groucho plays two-bit producer Gordon Miller, who has gone deeply into debt while trying to stage a turgid production called "Hail and Farewell". Miller and his entire cast are ensconced in the Great White Way Hotel, managed by his brother-in-law Gribble Cliff Dunstan, who is fed up with the troupe's inability to pay its bills. As Miller, his director Harry Binelli (Chico) and his business manager Faker Englund (Harpo) try to figure out new methods of raising money, in walks Leo Davis Frank Albertson, the wide-eyed playwright, who is unaware that his masterpiece is in danger of closing before it even opens. He soon figures out what's what after Harry and Faker hock his typewriter for eating money. When hotel inspector Wagner Donald MacBride threatens to throw Miller and his entourage out bag and baggage, the producer and his cronies fake a measles epidemic so that Wagner will be forced to allow them to stay. Salvation seems at hand when Jenkins Philip Wood, a potential backer, arrives with a blank check in hand. But after sampling a bit of the lunacy that has surrounded the play since its inception, Jenkins dashes off, refusing to finance such a chancy property. Miller manages to mollify Wagner by pretending that Jenkins has invested money in the show, but when this scheme falls through, our hero resorts to really drastic measures by pretending that Davis and Faker have both committed suicide because of Wagner's persecution. Weaving in and out of the proceedings are nominal heroines Lucille Ball and Ann Miller, as well as Philip Loeb (who played Faker in the original Broadway production), brilliantly cast as a mild-mannered bill collector. Room Service is hardly typical Marx Bros. fare, despite the efforts by screenwriter Morris Ryskind to inject characteristic verbal gags and visual bits into the action; the film works better as a situation comedy than as a Marx vehicle (Groucho's only comment on the subject was that his brother Zeppo should have arranged a larger salary). In 1943, RKO Radio remade Room Service as a musical titled Step Lively, which was actually something of an improvement on the original. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

2,157 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

11 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: William A. Seiter

Release Date: September 21, 1938

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Flixster Reviews (111)

  • ajv2688
    September 29, 2010
    ajv2688
    I love the Marx Brothers, but this movie wasn't as good as their other movies. It felt slow and very scripted, no ad libs. Also, it felt as though the screenwriter gave the other actors more jokes than the Marx Brothers. Groucho seemed really quiet in this movie, he didn't get... read more to say much, and I didn't like that. I was disappointed with this movie. Towards the end it gets funnier, though, so it wasn't all bad.
  • kenstachnik
    April 2, 2008
    kenstachnik
    A few nice moments, but mostly meh
  • hypathio7
    January 7, 2010
    hypathio7
    JUMPING BUTTERBALLS!
    Adapted from a stage play, which is obvious when you notice that nearly the entire movie is filmed within two adjoining hotel rooms. Made for RKO, so except for Ryskind who had written for some other Marx Brothers movies, they had a whole different productio... read moren team and supporting cast. Still very funny situations and opportunities for madcap Marx antics, but no musical numbers except a few bars of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Ball is an actress in the play Groucho is trying to produce and his assistant, but she fades into the background amidst the brothers' schemes. Miller has next to no screen time and no chance of making an impression. Albertson is the author of the play, a whiny, small town bumpkin who is taken in by all the craziness. Dunstan plays Groucho's half brother and hotel manager, so he represents the authority of the hotel, but also goes along with Groucho's and Chico's plans without too much trouble. MacBride, as Wagner the efficiency expert, is really the stiff that the Marx Brothers are trying to tear down with their anti-authority hijinks. The man from the collection agency, the man representing the financial backer for the play, the Russian want-to-be actor, and the doctor each pop up in one or two scenes to move the plot and supply the set up for a couple gags. Several high quality visual and verbal gags are included. I must say that my favorite was when the doctor tries to get Harpo to say "Ahhh" too.
  • staindslaved
    December 17, 2011
    staindslaved
    I really liked this zanny Marx Brothers film. I really enjoyed how much of it was confined to a single room and the someones coming, quick hide! running gap is used to the extreme. Again, fans of the comedy trio should enjoy this film even if it doesn't rate as one of their best.
  • spaulsson
    December 14, 2009
    spaulsson
    Highly enjoyable from the Marx brothers. Unlike many of their other films, "Room Service" has a relatively coherent and followable story (instead of just "random" gags and musical numbers) and I liked that. Harpo has a pretty big role in this, and overshadows Groucho. Perhaps Gro... read moreucho's less prominent role can explain why it's not one of their best, seeing that we miss many witty commentaries from Groucho. A must watch for the fans nevertheless.
  • threefolddado
    June 30, 2008
    threefolddado
    Lots of fun.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    May 8, 2010
    MovieGuruDude72
    Bugs Bunny was baed on Groucho and he was always the best part of the Marx Brothers. Mainly because he was the only one who said anything interesting.
  • jam233
    September 26, 2009
    jam233
    Although it certainly isn't as zany as most of the other Marx Brothers movies, it is still great fun. Ann Miller and Lucille Ball in the cast is a plus. I also enjoyed the fact there was not an out of place musical number.
  • TheMovieNerd
    August 13, 2009
    TheMovieNerd
    Even with the addition of Lucile Ball (who never really gets to show off her comedy acting chops in the film at all) this proved to be one of the least funniest Marx Brothers movies I've seen.
    It's got some good lines scattered throughout the movie courtesy of Chico and Groucho'... read mores back and forth one liners, but it doesn't make it high up in the catergory of my favorite Marx Brothers movies. But for the avid fan of the brothers or just old comedies in general, you'll find something to enjoy and it'll be worth the watch for you.

    "I still think it's a terrible play, but it makes a wonderful rehearsal."
  • spleenylutheran
    December 1, 2007
    spleenylutheran
    For once Harpo outshines his brothers in this unrecognized classic. Whether it's chasing a live turkey in their hotel room or eating peas, one at a time, but doing it very fast; he's really the star of the film.

    My favorite scene though is his check-up by a doctor that the hot... read moreel management has brought in to see if he really has an infectious disease that the brothers have said he has (to stay in the room even though they're out of money). They've painted his face with huge spots and given him a tiny doll that will squeak when pressed. Of course, Harpo NEVER talks; but when the doctor says "Say 'ah'." Harpo makes the doll squeak. The doctor is puzzled and all chaos ensues.

    Lucille Ball co-stars in a 'straight' roll, but I always think of the "I Love Lucy" episode with Harpo and her dressed up as Harpo. The famous dancer / actress Ann Miller also co-stars in "Room Service" - a great little movie!

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Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz
June 29, 2011
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

With far too many drawn-out chats lacking in any wit or humor, Room Service is close to a total Marx Brothers dud. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
March 21, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Seiter's direction keeps the brothers at half speed, stuck to static material Full Review

Daniel Eagan
May 31, 2005
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

Lower-key than most Marx comedies, but still fun

Dennis Schwartz
April 11, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Still enough zaniness to make it a Marx Brother vehicle, but the craziness is diluted. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 30, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Some classic Marx bits make this a must-see.

Peter Canavese
August 20, 2004
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

This oft-dismissed exception in the Marx Brothers canon includes no musical numbers and only a few bits specifically tailored to the brothers...underrated.

Walter Chaw
August 15, 2004
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

A fabulously messy tissue rejection. Full Review

Eric Lurio
June 4, 2004
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette

Groucho, Chico and Harpo jump the shark.

Ken Hanke
August 11, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Not a Marx Bros. movie, but a movie with the Marxes. There is a difference.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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