Horse Feathers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A college president hires a dog catcher and an iceman for the football team because…reasons, resulting in the most chaotic football game ever committed to film.

🍿 Horse Feathers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

New President, Same Problems

Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho Marx) becomes the new president of Huxley College. The college is struggling, mainly due to their consistently losing football team. Wagstaff promises to turn things around, though his methods are anything but conventional.

Mistaken Identity and Speakeasy Shenanigans

Wagstaff’s son, Frank (Zeppo Marx), suggests recruiting football players from a local speakeasy. Wagstaff ends up mistakenly hiring Baravelli (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx), two bumbling fellows who are anything but athletes. This sets the stage for a series of chaotic and hilarious events.

The College Widow and Football Signals

The ‘college widow,’ Connie Bailey (Thelma Todd), becomes entangled in the scheme. She’s involved with the president of rival Darwin University and attempts to get Huxley’s football signals. This adds a layer of romantic rivalry and espionage to the already absurd situation.

Kidnapping and Anarchy

When Wagstaff learns that Darwin University has already recruited the actual football players he wanted, he tasks Baravelli and Pinky with kidnapping them. This leads to even more chaos and culminates in an anarchic football game that defies all logic and sportsmanship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho Marx): The new, irreverent president of Huxley College, whose unconventional methods lead to chaotic results.
• Baravelli (Chico Marx): A bumbling iceman mistakenly hired to play football, causing comedic mayhem with his antics.
• Pinky (Harpo Marx): A silent and mischievous dog catcher also mistakenly hired to play football, contributing to the overall chaos.
• Frank Wagstaff (Zeppo Marx): Professor Wagstaff’s son and a student at Huxley College, primarily interested in pursuing Connie Bailey.
• Connie Bailey (Thelma Todd): The ‘college widow’ who becomes entangled with multiple characters while trying to obtain football signals.
• David Landau (David Landau): The president of rival Darwin College, seeking to undermine Huxley through Connie Bailey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor Wagstaff: “Whatever it is, I’m against it.” – This is Wagstaff’s opening statement upon becoming the new president of Huxley College, setting the tone for his contrarian approach.
• Professor Wagstaff: “I thought my razor was dull until I heard his speech.” – A classic Groucho insult, delivered after hearing a particularly boring or nonsensical statement.
• Professor Wagstaff: “Baravelli, you’ve got the brain of a four-year old boy, and I bet he was glad to get rid of it.” – Wagstaff’s sarcastic remark to Baravelli highlights his dim-witted nature with a sharp Groucho-esque jab.
• Baravelli: ““I tell you what I do. I stay here, and while you’re gone, I get the ice.”” – Baravelli’s attempt to show cunning during a heist which hilariously reveals his lack of understanding.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $208

💥 Horse Feathers Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Horse Feathers! The humor is so absurd and over-the-top. Groucho’s one-liners are pure gold, and Harpo’s silent antics always crack me up. The password scene in the speakeasy is iconic, and the football game at the end is just utter madness. This movie always makes me laugh, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s my go-to film when I need a good dose of chaotic fun. It’s so funny!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick humor”
  • “People interested in early 20th-century films”
  • “Marx Brothers enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild innuendo”
  • “Some scenes may be considered insensitive by modern audiences”
  • “Slapstick violence”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Horse Feathers is a madcap romp through the hallowed halls of academia, delivering rapid-fire jokes and anarchic set pieces. The Marx Brothers are at their zaniest, skewering college life and football with equal abandon. A timeless classic for lovers of pure comedic chaos.
• Variety: “A riotous satire of college life, Horse Feathers showcases the Marx Brothers’ unparalleled comedic talent. While the plot may be thin, the film is packed with memorable gags and musical numbers. A must-see for fans of classic comedy, but newcomers be warned: logic is optional.

Audience Reactions

The password scene (‘Swordfish!’) at the speakeasy is legendary and endlessly quotable.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s fast-paced humor, Groucho’s witty remarks, and the overall sense of anarchic fun.

The football game is unlike anything else ever put on film.: A lot of people praised the absurdity and unhinged nature of the football game.

Overall Consensus: Horse Feathers is a beloved classic of comedic cinema, cherished for its rapid-fire jokes, anarchic energy, and the timeless appeal of the Marx Brothers’ unique brand of humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming, Chico Marx was involved in a car accident and fractured his kneecap. As a result, he can be seen limping in several scenes.”
• “The film satirizes college life and football culture of the time, incorporating elements of vaudeville routines that the Marx Brothers had perfected on stage.”
• “The famous ‘swordfish’ scene in the speakeasy had to be reconstructed because parts were cut, resulting in choppy transitions. Efforts were made to restore it in later releases.”

🖥️ How to Watch Horse Feathers?

Horse Feathers is a classic comedy available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on services like Amazon Prime Video for rent or purchase. It’s also often available on Apple TV and other digital retailers. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Horse Feathers, you might like these similar films:

• Duck Soup (1933): Another classic Marx Brothers film with similar anarchic humor and satire, also directed by Leo McCarey.
• Animal Crackers (1930): A pre-code Marx Brothers comedy with rapid-fire dialogue and absurdity.
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Shares a similar brand of absurd, nonsensical humor and satirical take on institutions.
• Caddyshack (1980): A sports comedy with anarchic and irreverent humor

🛒 Horse Feathers Related Products

• Horse Feathers (The Marx Brothers Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-definition Blu-ray edition of Horse Feathers, featuring restored footage and bonus content. A must-have for any Marx Brothers fan.
• Marx Brothers T-Shirt – Horse Feathers Design: A comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring a classic image from Horse Feathers. Show off your love for the Marx Brothers with this iconic design.
• Swordfish – Funny Gag Gift: A plush toy with a swordfish that has ‘The Password’ written on it. Makes a funny gift for any Marx Brothers or movie lovers.
• The Marx Brothers: Silver Screen Collection (Cocoanuts / Animal Crackers / Monkey Business / Horse Feathers / Duck Soup): A collector’s set of the Marx Brothers early films, showcasing their classic comedies together in one place.

🎧 Soundtrack

Horse Feathers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It” – performed by Groucho Marx
• “Everyone Says I Love You” – performed by The Marx Brothers
• “Collegiate” – performed by The Marx Brothers

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Groucho Marx – I’m against it (Horse Feathers)

You HAVE to see Groucho Marx in action! This clip of “I’m Against It” is pure comedic gold, and honestly, I wish I could dance like that!

Marx Brothers: Horse Feathers – Swordfish

Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt! The “Swordfish” scene is peak Marx Brothers zaniness, and I still don’t understand half of what they’re saying (but I love it)!

HORSE FEATHERS (1932): Everyone Says I Love You (Full Song/Clip) – Classic Comedy/Musical

Ever wondered what it’s like to be serenaded by Groucho Marx? This clip of “Everyone Says I Love You” is both hilarious and surprisingly sweet, proving the Marx Brothers could do it all!

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