Hey hey hey! How is everyone doin'? I hope you all are doing well, especially my American pals who are most likley preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. Yum! Yum!

This is another two part blog; part 1 is about the site, and part 2 is about the Marx Brothers, just like last time. Last time, we all seemed to concur that the scoring mechanism on TV.com was somehow broken, but it appears to be fixed now, as I've moved up a few percentage points. Groovy! How's yours?

Now for the cool part! On November 17th, the greatest poltical film of all time celebrated its 76th anniversary! That's right gang, today (a few days behind), we pay heed to the almighty...

DUCK SOUP!

Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) assumes the ruling position over the struggling nation of Freedonia, which is the target of a takeover by neighboring Slyvania.

Can Rufus save the country and earn the love (and money) of Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), or will the villianous Trentino (Louis Calhern) and his scheming thugs Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) win the day?

The film flopped on release, failing to meet the monetary success that the Brother's previous four films had. It also was blasted critically for its comical and unsympathetic portrayal of the government. Nowadays, it is regarded as the Brother's best film and has three AFI honors to its name:

1998- 85th Greatest Movie of all Time

2000- 5th Funniest Movie of all Time

2007- 60th Greatest Movie of All Time

The movie was banned in Italy as Benito Mussolini felt that it was a parody of his political career. It was also one of the first 50 movies inducted into the Library of Congress.

Groucho: "Run out and get some trenches! Wait a minute!

"Get 'em this high and our soldiers won't need any pants!"

"Get 'em THIS high and we won't need any soldiers!"

It certainly is a riot, and is very modern considering its age. So what are you waiting for? Go watch Duck Soup today!

Chico: "Well, who are you gonna believe,me or your own eyes?"

Have a great week!

"Is it just me or is it getting crowded in here?" - Groucho Marx

Hello all! How is everyone doing? Today we celebrate the anniversary of another film from 1935!

First, I must ask you all a question. Have any of you good people been having trouble with your TV.com level? Mine is jammed at 6% and I just wanted to check with the rest of you to see it if it was a widespread problem.

Now for the fun part! Today, one of the Marx Brothers most iconic films turns 74! Come, let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlors! (another Groucho quote from the film)

A Night at the Opera!

2000- 12th Funniest Film of All Time

2007- 85th Greatest Movie of All Time

Groucho, Chico, and Harpo team up to try to make a big operatic success out of their protege Allan Jones...

After the Marx Brother's war satire Duck Soup (1933) failed at the box office, the team was picked up by MGM. Their films shifted from wild, unpredictable (and risque ) spoofs into musical, romantic comedies with more elaborate plots, grander sets, and expanded casts.

Groucho once clamied that this and its follow up, A Day at the Races (1937) were the best films the team made.

Some epic bits include the "contract" scene:

Groucho: "That's what they call a Sanity Clause!"

Chico: "There ain't no Santy Claus!"

or Groucho pestering his favorite leading lady, Margaret Dumont:

Groucho: "Do you follow me?"

Dumont: "Yes"

Groucho: "Well stop following me or I'll have you arrested!"

The aforementioned stateroom scene is a treasure as well. So go check out A Night at the Opera today!

And get some hardbolied eggs! HONK! Make that 3 hardboiled eggs!

Ahoy! Who's ready to set sail for a movie anniversary blog? Today we have a star studded sea voyage, based on a true story! Of course, historical accuracy is debatable. Let's raise the anchor on the 74th anniversary of...

British sailors rebel after being mistreated one time too many by their overbearing and cruel captain...

This movie won Best Picture in 1935. Although it received many other nominations (including 3 for Best Actor), it earned no other Oscars. The Afi grants it two honors:

1998- 86th Greatest Movie of All Time (it failed to make the cut when the list was renewed.)

2003- 19th Greatest Movie Villian- Capt. William Bligh (Sir Charles Laughton)

Although the story is British, none of the principal characters except for Sir Charles Laughton were English. None of them fake accents either.

Clark Gable, famous for Gone with the Wind, considered this his best movie. He had to shave off his famous moustache though. He plays (as his credit suggests ), the rebellious Mr. Christian, who fights the tyranny of vile Capt. Bligh.

Sir Charles Laughton, director of The Night of the Hunter , was gay in actuality, which made Clark Gable despise him (Gable was a traditional man ) Laughton also hated the ocean, and had great difficulty during seagoing filming.

Franchot Tone was a bigger leading man in the 30s than he is today. Clark Gable hated him too, because he and Tone had competed for the love of actress Joan Crawford. Oh well, I guess Clark was picky...

Anyway, it's quite an adventure and I very strongly recommend it. My favorite part? When Capt. Bligh delivers his line

"... and a midshipman, Sir Joseph or no Sir Joseph, is the lowest form of animal life in the entire British navy."

Boy, do I feel nautical today! Have a good one and watch out for "mutinous dogs!"