Copacabana (1947)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Good concept, poorly executed.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Groucho Marx was a comedy genius and a near-unparalleled master at rapid-fire and wit, with an immediately recognisable appearance. His partnership with the rest of the Marx brothers Chico, Harpo and Zeppo was iconic, and the best of their films together among the funniest comedies/films ever made with many classic scenes and lines.Likewise Carmen Miranda was nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell" for a very good reason. She was a truly exuberant performer and a deservedly popular radio star, with a very at the time unique sense of fashion and an immediately distinctive singing and dancing style. In the films she starred in, some of them were very entertaining if not devoid of flaws while others varied in entertainment value and had major imperfections ('Copacabana is one such example) but Miranda stole the show or was one of the best assets for many of them.While Groucho and Miranda come off quite well, though neither at their best, they deserved better than this otherwise lacklustre affair. They are certainly the best things about it this said. Groucho fared better with zanier and much cleverer material and when he was partnered with the rest of the Marx Brothers, but he still shows off his rapid-fire and witty delivery well enough and has an air of charm about him. It is especially with Miranda and her scenes where 'Copacabana' properly comes to life, her performance is classic Carmen Miranda and one does wish that her enthusiasm and exuberance could be seen in a much better film much worthier of her talents.Their partnership on paper seemed somewhat of an odd one, due to that their styles of performing are so completely different to one another which did suggest a major mismatch, but they are actually surprisingly enjoyable together. There are two good songs, Groucho's "Go West Young Man" and particularly Miranda's "Tico Tico", the latter being my pick for the highlight of 'Copacabana'. There are a few mildly amusing scenes with them, especially with Miranda, and the film has a good amount of energy with them together and with Miranda on her own.'Copacabana' has major faults though. That Groucho and Miranda have a few mildly amusing scenes has been discussed, but there are also a few dull and annoying ones due to lacking material and a little over-acting, Groucho does generally come off well but he does over-compensate in weaker moments (hope this doesn't come off too contradictory). The film is mostly consumed by the musical numbers, and unfortunately only two are good, the rest range from the forgettable to the awful and interminably dull ("Stranger Things Have Happened" grinds everything to a halt and it is difficult to fight sleep, or even drowsiness).Also in 'Copacabana' is a fantasy dream sequence, that could have been a highlight if done well, instead it was over-extended, went on for too long and was not that imaginatively or even interestingly staged. 'Copacabana' is a real cheapie visually, everything looks as though it was made hastily and on a low-budget and it cries out for colour. As well as the musical numbers, a sub-plot between Steve Cochran and Gloria Jean is focused on too much (to the point where Groucho and Miranda disappear completely for a stretch of the film) and cripples 'Copacabana', it suffers from cheesiness and lacking any charm or energy, lack of personality or star power from either Cochran and Jean (despite the latter's beautiful appearance and voice, inexperience shows massively here) doesn't help.Other flaws are Andy Russell, who looks handsome and sings wonderfully but is a complete blank as an actor and his smile grates more than it beguiles; a very clunky script that is not as funny or as clever as it should have been and a story that is so slight to the point that it struggles to sustain momentum to justify the film's near-overlong length and goes overboard with the silliness and sheer idiocy. Alfred E. Green tries and struggles to rise above the material (which was near-impossible to do) or bring much sense that he was at ease with or know what to do with it.In conclusion, Groucho and Miranda don't come off too badly (far from it) and saves an otherwise lacklustre film from a complete misfire or even worse a turkey. 5/10 Bethany Cox

O.K. Take a look at Carmen Miranda in this film, especially in scenes without her head dresses or turbans. Even with them on, in close-up, you can see a serious resemblance to Fanny Brice, and her facial contortions prove that. As a performer and comedienne, she is flawless, and even though she pretty much never played a part other than herself, that itself is character enough. Now paired with Groucho in a rather lavish musical comedy, she gets two characters to play, one a Brazilian bombshell based upon herself, the other an alter-ego named Fifi she must live a second life as after both performers (of which only one really exists) is given a contract at Manhattan's exclusive Copacabana nightclub.Groucho is her agent/fiancée who has been trying without success to get her a booking, and this has them on the verge of being locked out of their hotel rooms. In fact, they still have to sneak in as the film begins, but somehow manage to get another night during which time a miracle occurs. It isn't the type of miracle Miranda would want because she's part of a double package demanded by the Copa's management, the other being Fifi. So for half of the film's running time, she must run around, perform one number as Carmen and another as the French Fifi, who always wears a veil covering her mouth. (Miranda's mouth is such that a child could tell that both women were the same person).There's the romantic young subplot of singing secretary Gloria Jean in love with Copa manager Steve Cochran while singer Andy Russell plays matchmaker. Jean and Russell get the romantic "Stranger Things Have Happened" while Groucho gets the comic "Go West, Young Man" which has an ironic conclusion that comes out of nowhere. Miranda though is the whole show, staging a fight behind closed doors between her and the non-existent Fifi, and delivering lines as if she was preparing a banana split from one of her own hats. The Miranda/Marx pairing is excellent which makes the absence of the other Marx Brothers acceptable on this rare occasion.

The eyebrow-wagging Lionel Q. Deveraux (Groucho Marx) is tired of dragging down the career of his fiancée, Carmen Novarro (Carmen Miranda), as the untalented half of their nightclub act and quits to become her agent. His powers of persuasion soon get the Brazilian singer a job as a featured performer at the Copacabana - twice over. She is forced to do double duty as herself and as Mlle. Fifi, a veil-covered Parisian chanteuse. The owner of the Copacabana, Steve Hunt (Steve Cochran), insists on romancing Mlle. Fifi, much to the frustration of Deveraux, who has already staked his claim to Carmen. Also frustrated is Anne Stuart (Gloria Jean), Steve's dutiful secretary, who is secretly in love with her boss. Another Copacabana singer, Andy Russell (himself), plays Cupid.An irritatingly stupid script, poor production values and almost no good lines for Groucho spoil this slight musical comedy. Andy Russell, who can sing but can't act, cancels himself out. Carmen Miranda fans may want to skip over everything except her numbers, which are good. Groucho fans may want to skip this altogether, unless they want to laugh at the awfulness of it all and imagine the sarcastic quipster delivering a scathing commentary track.

In New York City, Lionel Q. Devereaux (Groucho Marx) and his fiancée Carmen Novarro (Carmen Miranda) are unsuccessfully trying to find a spot in the show business. Lionel introduces himself to Steve Hunt (Steve Cochran), who owns the famous Copacabana nightclub, as an important agent and convinces Steve to see the presentation of Carmen. He enjoys the show and asks for another attraction; Lionel convinces Carmen to wear a veil and perform another song and introduces her to Steve as the French singer Mademoiselle Fifi. Steve hires both singers and Carmen has to change clothes and identities between her performances. When she sees Lionel flirting with a Copa Girl, Mlle. Fifi accepts the invitation to have dinner with Steve, hurting the feelings of his secretary Anne Stuart (Gloria Jean) that is in love with him. The situation gets complicated and Carmen simulates an argument with Mlle. Fifi with her subsequent disappearance, originating an investigation of the police where the prime suspect is Lionel. "Copacabana" is a delightfully naive and entertaining movie from a time when the society was extremely innocent and could buy such ingenuous story. The plot, i.e., the double-identity of Carmen Miranda, is totally absurd but the situation of Lionel after the disappearance of Mlle. Fifi was remade by Billy August in 1963 in "Irma La Douce". Groucho Marx is funny and responsible for the best moments of this movie; but the subplots with the silly romance of Anne and Steve, and the participation of the weird singer Andy Russell should be better written. The songs are boring and dated in 2009, but Carmen Miranda was very successful in those years and sings the famous "Tico-Tico no Fubá". My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Copacabana"