Review of Love Happy (1949) by Jonny P — 23 Jul 2013

"Love Happy" is a dim shade of what the Marx Brothers once were. The disjointed script that began as a solo feature for Harpo appears to have been cut and pasted with hedge trimmers and duct tape to include the other two brothers.

As a result, the story doesn't make sense, causing the writers to make Groucho into a narrator to explain what is going on (and eliminating him from the majority of the film). There is not a single scene in which all three brothers appear on screen and about a total of three minutes in which two of the three appear together.

It is depressing. The equation of witty banter and slapstick humor that brought success to this trio is shelved in lieu of turning half of the script into Harpo squeezing his horn. The only redeeming moments of this film come when the henchmen empty Harpo's pockets for a solid four minutes (so classic) and Harpo and Chico's "conversation.

" Ironically, these two redemptive scenes are the only scenes that fit the Marx Brothers equation, reminding us of why we love these guys. The obligatory Chico piano solo is a relief from the otherwise mundane plot.

Although it goes on for quite a while (probably to take up some time and make the film feature length), it is easily one of the most entertaining parts of the film since everything else is so awful. It's a bad sign when this film is best known for Marilyn Monroe's 15-second walk-on.

This is a sad chapter for the Marx Brothers and it only cheapens their comic legacy. Do not watch this film or they may be ruined for you.