The Big Store (1941)

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is another good one by the Marx Brothers. A young singer, named Tommy Rogers, inherits a department store. This store is up for sale by him and the proceeds will help to build a conservatory for young kids. The store manager is a crook who is planning to kill the inheritor, marry Martha Dumont since she will get the store after the murder, kill her off and get the store for himself. Oh there is a bleached blonde tart but she does not realize she is superfluous to the plan. The scene in the store with the Italian family with all the kids is excellent. So funny,IMO. Of course it is politically insensitive by today's standards. This makes it even funnier to me. I am so tired of the PC people. Laugh at life because it laughs at you. Anyway this is a good flick and of course as typical for the time the good guys win again.

Just to say to all those who think it's not funny: My 16 year old daughter, who had not seen it before, thought it was hilarious from beginning to end.So did I - even though I had to look up a couple of period references. After all we all still enjoy Shakespeare despite not quite understanding a few of the 16c gags.Despite a slight yawn during Tenement Symphony, the musical numbers were also entertaining - especially Harpo's duet with himself in the mirrors.What one misses is seeing these films at the cinema - as they were intended to be seen - on a large screen with several hundred other people all enjoying the moment. That's why some of the gags seem a bit laboured as there is often a calculated pause for the audience laughter, so that the next gag won't be missed.

The final 15 minutes saved this VHS from being traded in for something else, as most of the film is not up to the Marx Brothers lofty status. I guess by the 1940s, the boys were in a decline, for various reasons. One of them is the writing. There were always a ton of jokes and sight gags in the MB films and most of them were dated and corny......but still funny, even 70 years later. However, the jokes in here - and the songs - are so dated and not much to start with that they simply aren't funny. That, and the songs are likewise, not really appealing.As mentioned, the only thing I personally enjoyed here was the hectic last 15 minutes with a chase through a department store. That was classic slapstick material and it still works. Unfortunately, the rest of it did not work. For much of this film, the store was "closed" for (Marx Brothhers) business.

And it is. Of course it's the usual zany nonsense with the Marx Bros. trying to save TONY MARTIN from a bunch of gangsters who want to take over ownership of a department store. If you're a Marx Bros. fan, you'll especially enjoy the climactic chase at the finale.Aside from the Marx. Bros., MARGARET DUMONT, DOUGLAS DUMBRILLE, VIRGINIA GREY and TONY MARTIN (who gets to warble a couple of songs) all add to the fun--although not among the wacky best when it comes to the Marx Bros. material.The film gets a glossy lift from the MGM production values obvious in the sets and costumes. Harpo has one of his best harp routines and there's a good set piece involving mechanically automated beds that disappear into the wall with Henry Armetta's brood of children.The closing number is Martin's "Tenement Symphony" which he does with professional skill, joined by Harpo and Chico, orchestra and chorus. But it's the big roller skating chase through the department store that stays in the memory long after seeing the film. It's a wacky highlight of the film and watch it for some exceptionally good stunt work.