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ROOM SERVICE |
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RKO, 1938.
Directed by William A. Seiter. Camera: J. Roy Hunt. With
Groucho Marx,
Chico Marx,
Harpo Marx,
Lucille Ball,
Ann
Miller, Frank
Albertson, Cliff Dunstan, Donald McBride, Philip Loeb, Philip Wood,
Alexander Asro, Charles Halton, Stanley Blystone, Phoebe Campbell, Clyde
Courtright, Josephine DeKarr, Eddie Dunn, Paul Everton, Cliff Herd, Donald
Kerr, Bruce Mitchell, Frank Otto, Tom Quinn, Constantine Romanoff, William
Ruhl, Eddie Saunders, Willard St. Claire, Jean Stevens, Max Wagner. |
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  Room Service is an unusual picture for
the Marx Brothers, as it contains no musical numbers (unless you count the
occasional warbling of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" during the various death
scenes).
Room Service is unique for
other reasons as well. It was the only picture the brothers did for RKO,
making it while they were under contract to MGM. It is also the only film
that wasn't written specifically for them. As a matter of fact, the movie
was taken from a successful play at the suggestion of Zeppo, and tailored by the
ever-present Morrie Ryskind (who had to invent a part for Harpo) for the Marxes.
This movie was remade as a musical called Step Lively in 1944, starring
Frank Sinatra.
In this picture Groucho plays Gordon
Miller, a producer who is trying to con a certain hotel (managed by his
brother-in-law) into letting himself and his entire cast stay on credit until he
gets backing for his upcoming production, "Hail and Farewell." He is aided
in this escapade by Banelli (Chico) and Faker (Harpo). Banelli's
connection to the play is never really brought out, but we know that Faker is in
the cast, playing a miner, since he's often seen wearing a miner's hat, torch
included.
The plot thickens as the author of
the play, Leo Davis (Frank Albertson), shows up from Oswego to see how the
production is going. While he's not looking, Banelli, Faker, and Miller
steal various possessions from him to hock so they can get some food. When
the food finally does arrive, it makes for the funniest scene in the film.
While
Lucille Ball and
Ann Miller are
listed above Albertson in the cast list, they actually have very minor roles and
add little to the movie. This picture is almost pure Marx Brothers
entertainment, attesting to the ability of Morrie Ryskind in adapting the script
for the boys. Even given the fact that the Marxes were forced into a more
traditional play format for this movie, it is still highly entertaining.
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Why a Duck? |
Additional detailed information about this film is available
from
the AFI Catalog of Feature Films at
AFI.com, or by clicking
here.
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Poster artwork courtesy of Rikke |
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