LOVE HAPPY

Love Happy
Artists Alliance / United Artists, 1950, B/W, 91 minutes
Released March, 1950

Harpo is a true patron of the arts, taking from the rich to help feed a group of poor actors who are struggling to open a new musical without financial backers. When he steals a tin of sardines from a classy Fifth Avenue market (hot delicacies in the front - hot diamonds in the back!), he unknowingly makes off with the missing Romanoff diamonds, smuggled into the country [in a tin of sardines] by a sinful yet scintillating jewel thief. She traces the tin back to the theater where she backs the show, hoping to recover the diamonds... and nearly brings the house down in a madcap race to retrieve the jewels on opening night!
The Marx Brothers' last film as a team. Marilyn Monroe makes an early short appearance. Ilona Massey amazingly keeps a straight face in several crazy scenes. Fun film!

Mary Pickford Presentation
Produced by: Lester Cowan
Directed by: David Miller
Screenplay by: Frank Tashlin, Mac Benoff
Based on a story by Harpo Marx
Musical Score and Songs: "Love Happy," "Willow Weep for Me" by Ann Ronell
Song Score: Ann Ronell, Harold Spina and Walter Bullock
Production Designed by: Gabriel Scognamillo
Production Numbers Staged by: Billy Daniel
Orchestra Conducted by: Paul Smith
Orchestral Arrangements: Harry Geller
Set Decorator: Casey Roberts
Wardrobe Designers: Grace Houston, Norma
Men's Wardrobe: Richard Bachler
Make-Up: Fred Phillips
Hair Stylist: Scotty Rackin
Special Effects: Howard Anderson
Director of Photography: William C. Mellor
Photographic Effects: Howard A. Anderson
Film Editors: Basil Wrangell, Al Joseph

Cast: Harpo Marx [Harpo], Chico Marx [Faustino], Ilona Massey [Madame Egelichi], Vera-Ellen [Maggie Phillips], Marion Hutton [Bunny Dolan], Raymond Burr [Alphonse Zoto], Melville Cooper [Throckmorton], Paul Valentine [Mike Johnson], Leon Belasco [Mr. Lyons], Eric Blore [Mackinaw], Bruce Gordon [Hannibal Zoto], Marilyn Monroe [Grunion's Client], Groucho Marx [Detective Sam Grunion / Narrator of the Story]

Musical Program: [0:01] Love Happy (sung behind titles by Marion Hutton and Chorus, Vera-Ellen dancing on stage; also used as recurring theme in background score); [0:02] Love Happy (instrumental arrangement danced by Paul Valentine in rehearsal); [0:17] Love Happy (instrumental arrangement danced by Vera-Ellen in rehearsal); [0:20] Who Stole the Jam? (sung by Marion Hutton); [0:30] Sadie Thompson Number (Willow Weep for Me) (instrumental danced by Vera-Ellen with Men's Chorus); [0:42] Gypsy Love Song (Noodle and Macaroni Duet) (comedy routine with some great music performed by Chico Marx at the piano and Leon Belasco on violin); [1:02] Happy Birthday to You (harp solo by Harpo Marx); [1:03] The Old Folks at Home (Way Down Upon the Swanee River) (harp solo by Harpo Marx); [1:19] Polonaise in A Flat (piano solo by Chico Marx); [1:31] Love Happy (excerpt sung by Chorus at end of film