Copacabana

Overview

Unwisely leaving his brothers behind for this comedy farce, Groucho Marx plays two-bit manager Lionel Devereaux, whose only client (Carmen Miranda) is miraculously hired by the famed Copacabana nightclub for a Latin dance routine. The club-owner (Steve Cochran) needs a French act as well, so Devereaux fixes up his charge in different garb and presents her as yet another act.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/23/2013
UPC:	0887090059503
Original Release:	1947
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:32:00
Sales rank:	32,502

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Groucho Marx	Lionel Q. Deveraux
Carmen Miranda	Carmen Novarro / Mlle. Fifi
Steve Cochran	Steve Hunt
Gloria Jean	Anne Stuart
Ralph Sanford	Liggett, an Agent
Andy Russell	Himself
Abel Green	Columnist
Louis Sobol	Columnist
Andrew Tombes	Murphy
Earl Wilson	Columnist

Technical Credits

Allen Boretz

László Vadnay

Howard Harris

Sam Coslow	Producer
Alfred E. Green	Director
Allen Boretz	Screenwriter
László Vadnay	Screenwriter
Howard Harris	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Simply because of the talent involved, Copacabana should be a hilarious treat. After all, what could be more interesting that teaming up the uniquely bizarre Carmen Miranda with the bizarrely unique Groucho Marx? Sure enough, the stars don't disappoint, but their talents are squandered in a vehicle that is as dull and pedestrian as one can imagine. The premise -- that Groucho tries to pass his client Carmen off as two different performers -- is certainly full of promise, but it's as if the writers exhausted themselves coming up with it and couldn't find the energy to do anything original or interesting with it. Even these two personalities need material, and what they have here is weak, weak, weak. There are highlights, of course, including Groucho exulting "Go West, Young Man," and Carmen sinking her teeth into "Tico Tico," but not enough to make the film special. In addition, Groucho seems a bit at sea without his brothers and Margaret Dumont; the creators haven't figured out a context into which his special personality can be shown off to its best advantage, and that hurts things. So, for that matter, do the bland performances of Andy Russell, Steve Cochran and Gloria Jean. Copacabana is a missed opportunity, redeemed somewhat by its stars.