The Marx Brothers were well known for their comedic endeavors, so it's no surprise they starred in one of the first Western comedies, Go West.
In 1940, the Marx Bros. appeared in one of the earliest cinematic western comedies, an overlooked picture called Go West. It comes from pretty late in the post-Zeppo era, a run of pictures often considered inferior to when the brothers were at their peak. Still, even without Zeppo — who was a crucial part of the Marx formula, a secret sauce if you will — the Brothers made a pretty admirable chunk of films after their Paramount days.
Whether or not the film actually works as a whole is hard to say. There’s undeniably some brilliant stuff in it, with a handful of bits showing the brothers, if not at top form, pretty damn close. The story admittedly gets in the way more than it should, especially considering how uninspired the actual plot is.
The beginning of the film works because it sets up a simple premise — Groucho, Harpo, and Chico’s characters coming up short to purchase a train ticket out west in order to pan for gold — and utilizes to bring out some excellent jokes. When told a train ticket costs $70, Groucho slaps a stack of bills on the counter. “Don’t bother counting it,” he tells the attendant. “There’s only $60,” the attendant complains. “I told you not to count it,” snaps Groucho.
That said, Go West is at its best when the brothers' cutting humor is aimed at either A) one another, or B) the film's villains. Groucho's wise-ass zingers still pop with wit, and Harpo/Chico's duality of physical/wordy comedy still mixes excellently. A gag early in the picture, in which the three brothers attempt to scam one another out of a train fare, is a highlight. A similar, later scene in a stagecoach is another.
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