DVD Corner

A Day At The Races Blu-ray Review

“A Day At The Races” is flawed, but funny.

In 1937’s “A Day At The Races,” the story revolves around the Standish Sanitarium which is in danger of being shut down unless the debts are paid. Sanitarium owner Judy tries to figure out ways to save the Sanitarium and one such way might involve a rich patient (Mrs. Upjohn). Unfortunately, Upjohn ponders leaving the Sanitarium as she desires treatment from Dr. Hackenbush. Luckily, arrangements are made for Hackenbush to work at the Sanitarium (even though he is actually just a horse Doctor). Judy’s boyfriend Gil devises another way to help Judy out by purchasing a race horse (although this move causes tension between the two). Of course, Chico (a Sanitarium driver named Tony) and Harpo (a jockey named Stuffy) also play into the plot. And no, Zeppo is not in this one in case you were wondering. 

Directed by Sam Wood and written by Robert Pirosh, George Oppenheimer, and George Seaton, “A Day At The Races” is another zany Marx Brothers comedy. While not on the level of “Duck Soup” or “A Night At The Opera,” ‘Races’ is still loaded with great material. The one-liners, Tony conning Hackenbush, the madcap medical exam, and Hackenbush’s “Thank You” are all classic bits that will have you cracking up. 

Plot wise, the story is pretty basic. There’s the romance angle, the musical numbers (including Harpo’s majestic harp playing), the comedic set pieces, Groucho shenanigans, Harpo being Harpo, Margaret Dumont, and a grand climax (in this case an intense horse race). It’s all pretty standard for a Marx Brothers movie and that’s perfectly fine. The comedy is what matters most.

On the downside, the movie runs a bit long at 109 minutes. The best Marx Brothers movies definitely fall on the shorter side. There’s a bit too many musical numbers here including the elaborate ballet and the painfully stereotypical Lindy Hop sequence “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm.”

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? In typical Warner Archive fashion, this disc offers up another crisp print of this B&W classic.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The audio is also satisfactory here. This is easily the best the film has sounded. 

Extras:
* Commentary by author and Marx Bros. historian Glenn Mitchell.
* Original theatrical trailer
* 3 MGM cartoons titled “Gallopin’ Gals,” “Mama’s New Hat,” and “Old Smokey.”
* Leo Is On The Air Radio Promo.
* “A Message From The Man In The Moon” audio outtake.
* A Groucho starring radio drama titled “Dr. Hackenbush.”
* “On Your Marx, Get Set, Go!”- An archival 27 minute featurette that delves into the film’s history and offers up plenty of behind-the-scenes stories.
* “A Night At The Movies” MGM short film.

February 3, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | A Day At The Races Blu-ray Review, Comedy, Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Marx Brothers, Warner Archive