Go West (1940)

Passed   |    |  Comedy, Musical, Western

Go West (1940) Poster

The Marx Brothers come to the rescue in the Wild West when a young man, trying to settle an old family feud so he can marry the girl he loves, runs afoul of crooks.

6.9/10
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Photos

  • Frederick Burton in Go West (1940)
  • Groucho Marx and June MacCloy in Go West (1940)
  • Mitchell Lewis and Harpo Marx in Go West (1940)
  • Groucho Marx and June MacCloy in Go West (1940)
  • Groucho Marx, Diana Lewis, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx in Go West (1940)
  • Groucho Marx and Al Duvall in Go West (1940)

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Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
1 August 2004 | JoeKarlosi
7
| Go West (1940) ***
GO WEST (1940) ***/****

I don't know. Since I've been watching these later Paramount Marx Bros. films before seeing the original early 30s classics that die-hard fans always rave about, perhaps I'm more unbiased and capable of enjoying them for what they are.

In GO WEST we have the opening sequence where Groucho tries to fleece Chico and Harpo, only to get a good screwing himself in the bargain. I also enjoyed the bit where Groucho and Chico attempt to woo a couple of gals as Harpo attempts to steal a deed from a safe in the next room. There were some very funny slapstick moments for the climactic struggle aboard the train to cap things off.

At first I was leery of going into a Marx Bros. comedy where the trio might be dressed in cowboy garb and thrust back into the unusual setting of the Old West, but it came off considerably well for what it was. Of course, nothing's perfect and you have to put up with some annoying singing now and then. Especially from one lady in particular who sounds like a guy.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of Groucho Marx's character, "S. Quentin Quale", caused a stir when the film was first released due to the subtle but clear joke: the use of the term "San Quentin quail", which means "jail bait".

Quotes

S. Quentin Quale: You know, it's stimulating when two giant intellects get together.

Goofs

Quentin claims he's met Grigory Rasputin (1869-1916). The film is set in 1870, when Rasputin was only a year old. This is not presented as an anachronism for the sake of a gag like the Don Ameche/The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939) business.

Crazy Credits

Opening card: Foreword: In 1851, Horace Greeley uttered a phrase that did much to change the history of these United States. He said: Go West, young man, go west. This is the story of three men who made Horace Greeley sorry he said it.

Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung a cappella by Groucho Marx

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Comedy | Musical | Western

Details

Release Date:

6 December 1940

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Monument Valley, Arizona, USA

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