The Marx Brothers – Chico, Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo – are one of the cornerstones of American comedy. Starting out in vaudeville, they conquered Broadway and the big screen in their own inimitable style, at once innovative, irreverent, anarchic, physical, musical, ludicrous and hilarious.

In their first film at Paramount, The Cocoanuts, the Brothers kicked off what would become a career of slapstick masterpieces as our lovable quartet take to selling land and running a hotel in only the way that they can. In their second film, Animal Crackers (based on their own theatre production), the brothers turn detectives as they hunt down a painting stolen from a high society party.

The Paramount era represents the Marx Brothers at their absolute finest, retaining all of the energy and controlled chaos of their stage shows. Plots are unimportant, it’s the gags, set-pieces and one-liners that matter!