Humor Risk
Humor Risk is a lost silent short comedy horror film that saw the debut of the Marx Brothers.[1] The film was released in December 1921 after being shot in April that year. The reception it received at the children's matinee in New York was poor, and Groucho Marx responded by burning the sole copy of the film while lighting his cigar.[2] The film was never recovered, only a minor reconstruction and a frame of the film were found.[3]
Cast
- Groucho Marx as Villain
- Harpo Marx as Watson, detective
- Chico Marx as Chuckling [Italian] Henchman
- Zeppo Marx as Playboy / Nightclub owner
- Jobyna Ralston as Heroine (debated between her, Esther Ralston, Helen Kane, or Mildred Davis[4])
Plot
Harpo played the hero, a detective named Watson who "made his entrance in a high hat, sliding down a coal chute into the basement". Groucho played an "old movie" villain, who "sported a long moustache and was clad in black", while Chico was probably his "chuckling [Italian] henchman". Zeppo portrayed a playboy who was the owner of a nightclub in which most of the action took place, including "a cabaret, [which allowed] the inclusion of a dance number". The final shot showed Groucho "in ball and chain, trudging slowly off into the gloaming". Harpo, in a rare moment of romantic glory, gets the girl in the end.[5]
References
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/04/nyregion/getting-big-picture-film-industry-started-here-left-now-it-s-back-state-says.html?scp=7&sq=jersey%20city%20armory&st=cse&pagewanted=3
- ↑ "Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List". www.silentera.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ↑ "Humor Risk (lost silent Marx Brothers film; 1921) - The Lost Media Wiki". lostmediawiki.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ↑ https://www.brentonfilm.com/the-marx-brothers-lost-film-getting-to-the-bottom-of-a-mystery
- ↑ "HUMOR RISK (The Marx Brothers Marxology)". www.marx-brothers.org. Retrieved 2023-11-04.