The Big Store Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three guys mess around in a department store until the bad guy slips on a banana peel and confesses, making everyone forget about the completely forgettable musical numbers.

🍿 The Big Store: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Inheritance and Conspiracy

Tommy Rogers inherits half of Phelps Department Store and plans to sell it to fund a music conservatory for disadvantaged children. However, the store’s crooked manager, Mr. Grover, has been embezzling funds and doesn’t want the sale to expose his crimes. Grover plots to eliminate Tommy to prevent the sale and maintain his scheme.

Hiring Wolf J. Flywheel

After an attempt on Tommy’s life, his aunt Martha, who owns the other half of the store, hires the down-on-his-luck private detective Wolf J. Flywheel (Groucho Marx) to protect him. Flywheel, along with his assistant Wacky (Harpo Marx), accepts the case, leading to their involvement in the store’s affairs. Tommy’s friend Ravelli (Chico Marx) also gets involved.

Chaos and Exposure

Flywheel, Wacky, and Ravelli create chaos throughout the store while trying to protect Tommy. Mr. Grover attempts various schemes to get rid of Tommy. Ultimately, through their antics, the trio uncovers Mr. Grover’s corruption and his plot to murder Tommy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wolf J. Flywheel (Groucho Marx): A down-on-his-luck private detective hired to protect Tommy Rogers, causing chaos along the way.
• Ravelli (Chico Marx): A piano teacher and friend of Tommy’s who assists Flywheel in his investigation.
• Wacky (Harpo Marx): Flywheel’s silent and eccentric assistant, providing physical comedy and harp music.
• Tommy Rogers (Tony Martin): A singer and part-owner of Phelps department store who wants to sell his share for a music conservatory.
• Mr. Grover (Douglass Dumbrille): The crooked store manager who plots to kill Tommy and take over the department store.
• Martha Phelps (Margaret Dumont): Tommy’s aunt and co-owner of the store, who hires Flywheel for protection and becomes romantically involved with him.
• Joan Sutton (Virginia Grey): A music department employee and Tommy’s love interest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wolf J. Flywheel: “What experience have you had at a department store?” – When asked about his qualifications, Flywheel sarcastically replies about his shoplifting past.
• Mr. Grover: “If you’re a detective, I’m a monkey’s uncle.” – Grover expresses his disbelief in Flywheel’s detective skills, prompting a Groucho-esque retort.
• Wolf J. Flywheel: “You mean that a woman of your culture and money and beauty and money and wealth and money would, would marry that impostor!” – Flywheel’s incredulous reaction to Martha’s engagement captures his gold-digging persona and comedic timing.
• Wolf J. Flywheel: “Shall we bind the deal with a kiss? Or five dollars in cash? You lose either way.” – Said as Flywheel attempts to secure the deal to protect Tommy Rogers, highlighting his opportunism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Big Store Reviews

Personal Review

I’ll admit, *The Big Store* isn’t my favorite Marx Brothers movie, but it still has its moments. Groucho’s interactions with Margaret Dumont are always hilarious, and Harpo’s harp solo is surprisingly beautiful. The final chase scene had me laughing out loud. I especially liked when Groucho was singing and dancing while trying to sell at the department store. It’s lighthearted fun, perfect for a rainy afternoon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedy”
  • “Marx Brothers enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in 1940s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence”
  • “Some dated cultural stereotypes”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Rant: “While not a classic, *The Big Store* offers enough Marx Brothers mayhem to be enjoyable. The humor is uneven, but Groucho’s zingers and Harpo’s antics provide consistent laughs. The musical numbers, however, detract from the overall experience.
• AllMovie: “*The Big Store* suffers from a weaker plot and too many musical interludes, but the Marx Brothers’ comedic energy is still present. The final chase scene is a highlight, showcasing their signature slapstick style. Worth watching for fans, but not the best entry point.
• TV Guide: “A minor Marx Brothers effort, *The Big Store* is hampered by a predictable plot and excessive musical numbers. While Groucho delivers some memorable lines, the film lacks the anarchic energy of their earlier works.

Audience Reactions

Harpo’s harp solo with the mirror reflections was magical and charming.: Viewers consistently praise the musical numbers, especially Harpo’s harp solo and Chico’s piano skills.

The final chase scene through the department store was a hilarious and chaotic highlight.: Many agree that the slapstick and inventive humor provide entertaining moments.

Overall Consensus: While not considered one of their best, *The Big Store* offers moments of classic Marx Brothers humor and musical entertainment, making it a worthwhile watch for fans.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the seventh and final film teaming of The Marx Brothers with Margaret Dumont.”
• “The film was originally intended to be the Marx Brothers’ farewell to the screen.”
• “The name Wolf J. Flywheel was previously used by Groucho Marx in a radio show called Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel in 1934.”
• “During the chaotic chase sequence towards the end, stunt doubles were used extensively due to the Marx Brothers’ age.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Big Store?

Currently, The Big Store (1941) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for potential broadcast schedules on classic movie channels. While it may not be available on all streaming subscription services, keep an eye on rotating catalogs like Criterion Channel or HBO Max for potential future inclusion.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Big Store, you might like these similar films:

• A Night at the Opera (1935): Another classic Marx Brothers film with similar comedic style and ensemble cast.
• Who’s Minding the Store? (1963): A Jerry Lewis comedy featuring slapstick in a department store setting, reminiscent of the chaos in The Big Store.
• The Floorwalker (1916): A Charlie Chaplin silent film set in a department store, using physical comedy and mistaken identity for humor.
• Bowfinger (1999): A comedy about a low-budget filmmaker trying to make a movie with an oblivious star, capturing a similar chaotic, anything-goes spirit.
• The Cocoanuts (1929): A Marx Brothers early film showcasing their anarchic humor and wordplay in a hotel setting.

🛒 The Big Store Related Products

• The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection (Cocoanuts / Animal Crackers / Monkey Business / Horse Feathers / Duck Soup): Own the first five Paramount releases by The Marx Brothers on Digital and revisit their earlier work before The Big Store.
• Marx Brothers: Six Classic Comedies (A Night at the Opera / A Day at the Races / At the Circus / Go West / The Big Store / A Night in Casablanca): Own six of their MGM/United Artist releases by The Marx Brothers on Digital and revisit The Big Store.
• Marx Brothers: Day At the Races (DVD): DVD of another of the best movies featuring The Marx Brothers. The DVD makes a great movie to view over and over.
• Marx Brothers T-Shirt: Show your love for classic comedy with this stylish Marx Brothers T-shirt. Featuring images of Groucho, Chico, and Harpo.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “If It’s You” – performed by Tony Martin
• “Sing While You Sell” – performed by Groucho Marx
• “Rock-a-Bye Baby” – performed by Virginia O’Brien
• “Tenement Symphony” – performed by Tony Martin, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How to Answer Any Question on a Test

Ever feel like you’re staring blankly at a test question? This hilarious video gives you some ‘strategies’ that are so bad they’re good – kinda like the ‘educational’ techniques in that one movie we all watched. Check it out for a laugh!

I Can’t Taste Anything

Ever wondered what it’s like to lose one of your senses? This short documentary about a guy who can’t taste anything is super interesting and kinda makes you appreciate what you have. You will not regret pressing play!

Film Theory: The Lorax Movie LIED To You!

This one’s for the over thinkers! This video totally breaks down the hidden message of The Lorax movie and it’s wild how much it changes your perspective. If you have already enjoyed the film, now you will have new things to consider.

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