The Marx Brothers
Room Service (1938)

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Room Service


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Donald MacBride, Groucho, Harpo, and Chico in a scene from the film.

Room Service is an unusual picture for the Marx Brothers, as it contains no musical numbers (unless you count the occasional warbling of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" during the various death scenes).

Room Service is unique for other reasons as well. It was the only picture the brothers did for RKO, making it while they were under contract to MGM. It is also the only film that wasn't written specifically for them. As a matter of fact, the movie was taken from a successful play at the suggestion of Zeppo, and tailored by the ever-present Morrie Ryskind (who had to invent a part for Harpo) for the Marxes. This movie was remade as a musical called "Step Lively" in 1944, starring Frank Sinatra.

In this picture Groucho plays Gordon Miller, a producer who is trying to con a certain hotel (managed by his brother-in-law) into letting himself and his entire cast stay on credit until he gets backing for his upcoming production, "Hail and Farewell." He is aided in this escapade by Banelli (Chico) and Faker (Harpo). Banelli's connection to the play is never really brought out, but we know that Faker is in the cast, playing a miner, since he's often seen wearing a miner's hat, torch included.

The plot thickens as the author of the play, Leo Davis (Frank Albertson), shows up from Oswego to see how the production is going. While he's not looking, Banelli, Faker, and Miller steal various possessions from him to hock so they can get some food. When the food finally does arrive, it makes for the funniest scene in the film.

While Lucille Ball and Ann Miller are listed above Albertson in the cast list, they actually have very minor roles and add little to the movie. This picture is almost pure Marx Brothers entertainment, attesting to the ability of Morrie Ryskind in adapting the script for the boys. Even given the fact that the Marxes were forced into a more traditional play format for this movie, it is still highly entertaining.


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General


Cast:

Groucho Marx   Gordon Miller
Harpo Marx   Faker Englund
Chico Marx   Harry Binelli
Lucille Ball   Christine Marlowe
Ann Miller   Hilda Manny
Frank Albertson   Leo Davis
Donald MacBride   Gregory Wagner
Cliff Dunstan   Joseph Gribble
Philip Loeb   Timothy Hogarth
Alexander Asro   Sasha Smirnoff
Charles Halton   Dr. Glass
Philip Wood   Simon Jenkins

Director  William A. Seiter
Written by  Morrie Ryskind
  Allen Boretz (play)
  John Murray
Cinematography  J. Roy Hunt
Editor  George Crone
ArtDirector  Alfred Herman
  Van Nest Polglase
Set dresser  Darrell Silvera
Musical director  Roy Webb
Sound recordist  John L. Cass
Gowns designer  Renié
Assistant to director  Philip Loeb
Assistant director  James Anderson
In charge of production  Pandro S. Berman
Producer  George Abbott
  Pandro S. Berman
Production company / Distribution  RKO Radio Pictures
Runtime  USA
  78 min.
New York opening  21 Sep 1938
Release date  30 Sep 1938
Remade as  Step Lively (1944)
Spanish title  El hotel de los lios
French title  Panique à l'hôtel

Posters and Lobby Cards for this movie. Click to enlarge.
Poster Poster Poster Poster


Musical numbers

Performed byComments
 R.K.O. signature   
 Main Title   
 My Friend Going Back Home   
 Traditional   
 End Title   

This site uses material originally created by Frank Bland for his website Why A Duck?. Frank did kindly give me permission to use this material.

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