Question 1

Why was Groucho Marx's character name changed from Quackenbush to Hackenbush?

Accepted Answer

MGM's legal department discovered at least a dozen legitimate U.S. doctors named Quackenbush, so the name was changed to Hackenbush for legal reasons. Groucho later came to like it and cited Dr. Hackenbush as his favorite character.

Question 2

What Oscar recognition did 'A Day at the Races' receive?

Accepted Answer

It received an Oscar nomination for Dave Gould's dance direction at the 1938 Academy Awards, making it the only Marx Brothers film nominated in a competitive category.

Question 3

How does the film's runtime compare to other Marx Brothers movies?

Accepted Answer

With a running time of 111 minutes (one hour and 50 minutes), this is the longest of The Marx Brothers' theatrical films.

Question 4

What real-life tragedy affected the production of 'A Day at the Races'?

Accepted Answer

MGM executive Irving Thalberg died within two weeks of the start of filming. He was instrumental in bringing The Marx Brothers back to greatness and was their main supporter at MGM.

Question 5

What musical connection does Ivie Anderson's performance in the film have?

Accepted Answer

The band backing Ivie Anderson's rendition of 'All God's Chillun Got Rhythm' was drawn from the Duke Ellington Orchestra, for whom Anderson was a vocalist at the time.

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A Day at the Races

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