Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Spoiler-free premise
The Marx Brothers take on high society and the opera world to bring two lovers together.
Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free+
Impresario Otis B. Driftwood tries to advance young singer Ricardo Baroni and his romance with soprano Rosa Castaldi inside the New York opera world. Fiorello, Tomasso, wealthy patron Mrs. Claypool, and obstructive tenor Lassparri multiply the schemes.
Why it belongs
In A Night at the Opera, the Marx Brothers reduce opera hierarchy to comic wreckage through contract logic, crowded cabins, musical skill, and escalating sabotage.
Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case+
A torn contract, ocean liner, impossibly full stateroom, backstage ropes, orchestra pit, costumes, and rapid verbal reversals let Groucho, Chico, and Harpo attack prestige from different comic directions.
Major award wins
No verified wins in this six-institution crosswalk.
Awards are reference metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.
Institutional reference ranks
Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250—AFI 10085
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score
Great Cinema Master List scores
Greatness8.6
Engagement7.7
Ease7.0
English · Not Rated Narrative Feature Mood: Funny & Lively
