“Horse Feathers” and “Animal Crackers” Screening at Aero Theatre

Marx Bros. Double Feature: HORSE FEATHERS, 1932, Universal, 68 min. Dir. Norman Z. McLeod. The Marx Bros.’ zaniest film finds Groucho as the new president of Huxley College, where his son (Zeppo!) is romancing Thelma Todd and Harpo and Chico have to kidnap the star football players from rival Darwin. Co-written by S.J. Perelman, whose literate wordplay makes this a special treat, and containing the classic speakeasy and singing-lesson routines. With David Landau, Nat Pendleton and Robert Grieg (for once not cast as a butler).
ANIMAL CRACKERS, 1930, Universal, 97 min. Dir. Victor Heerman. The Marx Bros.’ second film finds them running amok at a swanky Long Island estate where a priceless painting has been stolen. This invaluable record of their last Broadway show features Groucho’s immortal theme song, “Hooray for Captain Spaulding,” the classic bridge game and dictating-a-letter routines, and delightful support from the legendary Lillian Roth, plus Louis Sorin, Robert Greig and, of course, Margaret Dumont.