THE BIG STORE

The Big Store
MGM, 1941, B/W, 83 minutes, ***
Released June, 1941

There's laughs on every floor when the Marx Brothers run roughshod over an ultra-modern department store, saving the life of owner Tony Martin in the process. Typical Marxist hi-jinks, and a final screen pairing for Groucho and Margaret Dumont.

Produced by: Louis K. Sidney
Directed by: Charles Riesner
Screen Play by:Sid Kuller, Hal Fimberg and Ray Golden
Original Story by: Nat Perrin
Songs: "Tenement Symphony" music by Hal Borne, lyric by Sid Kuller, Ray Golden; "Sing While You Sell" music by Hal Borne, lyric by Sid Kuller, Hal Fimberg; "If It's You" music and lyric by Ben Oakland, Artie Shaw, Milton Drake
Musical Direction: Georgie Stoll
Musical Adaptation: Earl Brent
Vocal and Orchestrations: Leo Arnaud, George Bassman, Herb Taylor, Robert Van Eps
Dance Direction: Arthur Appel
Art Director: Cedric Gibbons
Associate: Stan Rogers
Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis
Recording Director: Douglas Shearer
Director of Photography: Charles Lawton
Film Editor: Conrad A. Nervig

Cast: Groucho Marx [Wolf J. Flywheel], Chico Marx [Ravelli], Harpo Marx [Wacky], Tony Martin [Tommy Rogers], Virginia Grey [Joan Sutton], Margaret Dumont [Martha Phelps], Douglas Dumbrille [Mr. Grover], William Tannen [Fred Sutton], Marion Martin [Peggy Arden], Virginia O'Brien [Kitty], Henry Armetta [Guiseppi], Anna Demetrio [Maria], Paul Stanton [George Hastings], Russell Hicks [Arthur Hastings], Bradley Page [Duke], Six Hits and a Miss [Themselves], Additional Cast: Edgar Dearing [Doorman], Clara Blandick [Music Department Customer], St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choristers [Themselves]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:07] Sing Before Breakfast (instrumental arrangement played in background while Harpo cooks breakfast); [0:16] If It's You (sung by Tony Martin); [0:28] Sing While You Sell (big production number sung and danced by Groucho Marx, Six Hits and Miss, Swanee River segment by The Four Dreamers [?], Rock-a-Bye Baby segment by Virginia O'Brien, and large Chorus; includes a fashion show narrated by Groucho); [0:40] The Bed scene (not musical, featuring Henry Armetta); [0:50] Mama Yo Quiero (played on piano by Chico and Harpo Marx); [0:57] Minuet in G (Beethoven) (played by Harpo on harp, accompanying himself on violin and bass); [1:04] Tenement Symphony (In Four Flats) (sung by Tony Martin accompanied by Children's Symphony, Harpo on harp, Chico on piano, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choristers)