A Day at the Races Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A fake doctor, an Italian stereotype, and a mute guy bet on a horse race to save a hospital, and somehow that makes sense.

🍿 A Day at the Races: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Trouble at the Sanitarium

Judy Standish’s sanitarium is on the brink of financial ruin, threatened by the villainous J.D. Morgan who wants to turn it into a casino. Mrs. Upjohn, a wealthy hypochondriac and key patient, threatens to leave, citing dissatisfaction with the medical staff. This sets the stage for a chaotic intervention.

Enter Dr. Hackenbush

Tony, ever resourceful, arranges for Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush to come to the sanitarium, unaware that he’s a veterinarian, not a human doctor. Hackenbush’s arrival throws the sanitarium into hilarious disarray as he tries to maintain his charade while attracting the attention of Mrs. Upjohn.

The Race to Save the Day

Judy’s fiancé, Gil, invests in a racehorse, Hi Hat, hoping to win enough money to save the sanitarium. Stuffy, a mute jockey, is set to ride. The film follows their increasingly absurd attempts to prepare for the race while fending off Morgan’s schemes.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush (Groucho Marx): A veterinarian posing as a human doctor, he becomes the chief of staff at a sanitarium, leading to chaotic situations.
• Tony (Chico Marx): Judy’s loyal man-of-all-work who helps to save the sanitarium through his street smarts and con-artist skills.
• Stuffy (Harpo Marx): The eccentric mute jockey who helps Gil and Judy save the sanitarium by riding Hi Hat in the steeplechase.
• Judy Standish (Maureen O’Sullivan): The owner of the financially troubled Standish Sanitarium, determined to save it from foreclosure.
• Gil Stewart (Allan Jones): Judy’s fiancé and a singer who invests his savings in a racehorse to win money and save the sanitarium.
• Mrs. Emily Upjohn (Margaret Dumont): A wealthy, hypochondriac patient whose support is crucial to the sanitarium’s survival and becomes infatuated with Dr. Hackenbush.
• Morgan (Douglass Dumbrille): The unscrupulous businessman seeking to take over the sanitarium for his own financial gain, serving as the primary antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Hackenbush: “Either he’s dead or my watch has stopped.” – Said during the chaotic medical examination scene while feeling a patient’s pulse.
• Dr. Hackenbush: “I tell you that man is sick. I’m not so well myself after being with him.” – Groucho as Hackenbush assesses Stuffy’s mysterious ‘illness’.
• Tony: “If she want a hack-in-de-puss, she gonna get a hack-in-de-puss.” – Chico’s malapropism when setting up the arrival of Dr. Hackenbush at the sanitarium.
• Dr. Hackenbush: “Why, I didn’t know there was a thing the matter with me till I met him.” – Mrs. Upjohn explaining her need for Dr. Hackenbush.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,016,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 A Day at the Races Reviews

Personal Review

I laughed so hard my sides hurt! Groucho’s fast-talking antics and the chaos that Harpo brings are just pure joy. I loved the ‘Tootsie Fruitsie Ice Cream’ scene – it had me rolling. While the romantic stuff was a bit much, the Marx Brothers’ craziness made it worth watching. I also loved that Black choral number! It was really nice to see the film include black actors and musicians.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedy”
  • “Admirers of the Marx Brothers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slapstick humor”
  • “Those interested in 1930s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence”
  • “Some dated cultural depictions that may be offensive to modern audiences”

Professional Reviews

• Classic Comedy Central: “A Day at the Races is a Marx Brothers classic that may be overlong and sappy in the romantic subplot, but is bursting with memorable one-liners and zany routines. A must-see for any comedy lover, Groucho at his best!
• Golden Era Guardian: “The film has moments of brilliance with sharp wordplay between Groucho and Chico, however, the pacing lags due to drawn-out musical sequences and traditional love stories. Even with its flaws, the Marx Brothers’ unique brand of humor shines through, making it a worthwhile, albeit uneven, cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

Margaret Dumont’s examination scene stole the show with its slapstick and hilarious dialogue.: The film’s unpredictable humor and Groucho Marx’s wit were a hit with most viewers.

The horse race finale was a wild, chaotic, and utterly enjoyable spectacle.: Most agree the plot drags at times, but the Marx Brothers’ comic genius shines through.

Overall Consensus: A Day at the Races, while imperfect, is a must-see for fans of classic comedy, brimming with unforgettable moments from the Marx Brothers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the second film the Marx Brothers made for MGM after a successful run at Paramount, and it was intended to recapture the success of ‘A Night at the Opera’.”
• “Irving Thalberg, who produced ‘A Night at the Opera’, died suddenly during the filming of ‘A Day at the Races’, leaving the Marx Brothers without their key advocate at MGM.”
• “The film includes a large musical number featuring African-American performers, which was somewhat progressive for its time, although it also contains elements that are now considered stereotypical.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Day at the Races?

A Day at the Races is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Some libraries may also offer DVD copies for borrowing. Consider purchasing a digital copy for convenient streaming anytime.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Day at the Races, you might like these similar films:

• A Night at the Opera (1935): Another classic Marx Brothers comedy with a similar blend of slapstick, wordplay, and musical numbers.
• Horse Feathers (1932): An earlier Marx Brothers film with a focus on absurdity and satire, set in a college backdrop.
• Duck Soup (1933): Considered one of the Marx Brothers’ masterpieces, it’s a satirical take on politics and war, filled with anarchic humor.
• The Big Lebowski (1998): Modern comedy with a similar absurdist tone and ensemble cast of eccentric characters.

🛒 A Day at the Races Related Products

• Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection (A Night at the Opera / A Day at the Races / At the Circus / Go West / The Big Store): Own this Marx Brothers digital collection and enjoy some of their greatest hits whenever and wherever. A perfect way to start your own collection!
• The Marx Brothers: A Day at the Races – Movie Poster Print: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for classic comedy.
• A Day at the Races – T-Shirt: Show your love for the Marx Brothers with this comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie.
• The Marx Brothers Cookbook: Recipes and Anecdotes from Their Films: Enjoy recipes inspired by the meals and moments in the Marx Brothers’ films, alongside fun anecdotes and trivia.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Day at the Races features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “On the Blue Venetian Waters” – performed by Allan Jones
• “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” – performed by Ivie Anderson and The Crinoline Choir

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Harpo Marx plays Wreckmaninoff

Did you know Harpo Marx was a talented musician? Check out this hilarious (and surprisingly heartfelt) take on Rachmaninoff – it’s a classic Marx Brothers moment!

A Day at the Races – Lindy Hop scene in color | Colorized with DeOldify

Ever wonder what that amazing Lindy Hop scene in ‘A Day at the Races’ looked like in color? This video colorizes the scene and gives some background on the dancers and its historical context. It’s truly impressive!

Dr. Hackenbush Stalls Mr. Whitmore – Phone Prank – The Marx Brothers in “A Day at the Races”

Need a good laugh? This scene from ‘A Day at the Races’ featuring Groucho Marx as Dr. Hackenbush is pure comedic gold. Watch as he tries to stall Mr. Whitmore, it’s brilliant!

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