Dynamic Duos in Classic Film: Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont

Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont: Maybe not the most romantic Dynamic Duo in Classic Film — but certainly one of the funniest…

I’ve been a huge fan of The Marx Brothers ever since I was a little kid (thanks to my father) — and to this day I still laugh out loud when I watch their films, marveling at their impeccable comic timing, their fast-paced witty dialog, and their masterful musicianship. But, whenever I think of The Marx Brothers, I also inevitably think of their fabulous comic foil, Margaret Dumont — in fact, I almost think of Dumont as one of the Marx Brothers. Interestingly enough I’m not alone in that notion, because in the words of the legendary Groucho Marx — Dumont was “practically the fifth Marx brother.”

Groucho and Dumont were a magnificent and inimitable comic pairing — Dumont playing the ever-so-sophisticated but more-than-slightly confused wealthy dowager (complete with gowns and tiaras!)– and Groucho playing the ‘devil-may-care’ suitor who, via his slapstick shenanigans and gold-digging fast-talk, alternately romances and insults Dumont to the hilt! Their witty wordplay is such fun and so rapid-fire that I find myself constantly rewinding their scenes so that I can revel in the subtle (and not-so-subtle) absurdities of their exhilarating and intelligently-funny dialog!

So, that said, here’s to the perfectly matched pair — the hilariously quick-witted Groucho, and perfectly straight-laced Dumont!

…..

Groucho Marx as Mr. Hammer and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Potter in The Cocoanuts (1929, directors Robert Florey, Joseph Santley)

Mrs. Potter: Get out of this room, or I’ll scream for the servants.
Mr. Hammer: Let the servants know! Let the whole world know! About us!
Mrs. Potter: You must leave my room. We must have regard for certain conventions.
Mr. Hammer: One guy isn’t enough, she’s gotta have a convention.

…..

Groucho Marx as Captain Spaulding and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Rittenhouse in Animal Crackers (1930, director Victor Heerman)

Mrs. Rittenhouse: Captain, this leaves me speechless.
Capt. Spaulding: Well, see that you remain that way.

…..

Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Teasdale in Duck Soup (1933, director Leo McCarey)

Rufus T. Firefly: Not that I care, but where is your husband?
Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he’s dead.
Rufus T. Firefly: I bet he’s just using that as an excuse.
Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end.
Rufus T. Firefly: No wonder he passed away.
Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him.
Rufus T. Firefly: Oh, I see, then it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.
Mrs. Teasdale: He left me his entire fortune.
Rufus T. Firefly: Is that so? Can’t you see what I’m trying to tell you, I love you.
…..

Groucho Marx as Otis B. Driftwood and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Claypool in A Night at the Opera  (1935, director Sam Wood)

Otis B Driftwood: That woman? Do you know why I sat with her? Because she reminded me of you.
Mrs. Claypool: Really?
Otis B Driftwood: Of course, that’s why I’m sitting here with you. Because you remind me of you. Your eyes, your throat, your lips! Everything about you reminds me of you. Except you.

…..

Groucho Marx as Dr. Hugo Hackenbush and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Upjohn in A Day at the Races (1937, director Sam Wood)

Mrs. Upjohn: Hugo, I’m disappointed in you. To think of you dancing with that strange woman!
Dr. Hugo Hackenbush: Well don’t think of it. Think of me dancing with you!
Dr. Hugo Hackenbush (as he’s dancing with Mrs. Upjohn but looking over her shoulder and really talking to the beautiful blonde behind her): I’m crazy about you. Nothing will ever come between us again. You don’t know how lonely I get night after night in my little room at the Sanitarium…Room 412.

…..

Groucho Marx as Attorney J. Cheever Loophole and Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury in At the Circus (1939, director Edward Buzzell)

Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury: We must have regard for certain conventions.
J. Cheever Loophole: One guy isn’t enough. She’s gotta have a convention.

…..

Margaret Dumont as Martha Phelps and Groucho Marx as Wolf J. Flywheel in The Big Store (1941, director Charles Reisner)

Martha Phelps: Oh, I’m afraid after we’re married a while a beautiful young girl will come along and you’ll forget all about me.
Wolf J. Flywhell: Don’t be silly. I’ll write you twice a week.

…..

And just for fun, another image – from Duck Soup:

…..

And that is my entry for the Dynamic Duos in Classic Film blogathon — but there are sooooo many more wonderful Classic Bloggers participating in this event. So, if you want to take a look at the on- and off-screen stories of more Dynamic Duos, please be sure to check out the other entries.  I am honored to be co-hosting the event alongside Aurora of Once Upon a Screen.

…..

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub