**”Love Happy”** (1949) is a comedy film that is especially known for being the final Marx Brothers movie and for featuring a brief but memorable appearance by Marilyn Monroe in one of her early roles.
### Film Details:
– **Title**: Love Happy
– **Release Year**: 1949
– **Genre**: Comedy
– **Director**: David Miller
– **Producer**: Lester Cowan
– **Screenwriter**: Frank Tashlin, Mac Benoff
– **Production Company**: United Artists
– **Runtime**: 85 minutes
– **Main Cast**:
– **Groucho Marx** as Detective Sam Grunion
– **Harpo Marx** as Harpo
– **Chico Marx** as Faustino the Great
– **Marilyn Monroe** as Grunion’s Client (small role)
– **Vera-Ellen** as Maggie Phillips
### Plot Summary:
The film follows a down-on-their-luck theater troupe trying to produce a Broadway show. Harpo, one of the main characters, gets involved in a series of comedic situations after he accidentally becomes mixed up in a scheme involving stolen diamonds. The diamonds, hidden in a can of sardines, lead to chaos as Harpo, Chico, and Groucho are pulled into a zany adventure to retrieve them while trying to save their struggling theater production.
The Marx Brothers, known for their slapstick humor, quick wit, and physical comedy, bring their usual style of outrageous humor to the film. Groucho plays the wisecracking private detective, while Harpo and Chico continue their typical comedic roles in the Marx Brothers’ dynamic.
Marilyn Monroe’s Role:
Monroe appears in a small, uncredited role as **Grunion’s Client**, who visits Groucho Marx’s character, Detective Sam Grunion. Her scene is brief, but Monroe’s appearance is highly notable because of her stunning beauty and presence, which would soon launch her into stardom. She plays a glamorous young woman who sashays into Grunion’s office, ask ing for his help, and captivates the audience with her seductive charm. This brief but memorable cameo helped her gain further attention in Hollywood.
### Reception:
“Love Happy” received mixed reviews, with many critics considering it a weaker entry compared to the earlier Marx Brothers films. While it didn’t reach the same level of acclaim as their earlier hits, the movie is often remembered by fans of classic comedy for its physical humor and unique moments involving the Marx Brothers.
For fans of Marilyn Monroe, “Love Happy” holds significance as one of her early films, where she was just beginning to make her mark on Hollywood. Although her role was small, Monroe’s star power was undeniable, and her scene remains a highlight for many viewers.
### Fun Fact:
The film also has a noteworthy sequence set on the rooftop of a theater, with Harpo Marx running around billboards, a visually inventive scene that added to the film’s overall charm.
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