A Night at the Opera1935A Night at the Opera
1935
An unscrupulous business manager, a mischievous mute, and a piano-playing con man set out to help two young opera singers in love get their big break, by wreaking total havoc on a transatlantic voyage and a New York opening night.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
The Marx Brothers at their best, sabotaging an opera to help two young singers in love. Anarchic comedy alongside genuinely beautiful opera music.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Groucho's constant cigar and innuendo (mostly over children's heads). The brothers lie, sneak, and stow away, which is played as anarchic fun, and the villain strikes Harpo with a cane.
A Night at the Opera (1935)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- What was the funniest scene? Was it the stateroom?
- Why did the brothers help Ricardo and Rosa?
- Was Lassparri a villain?
- Was the opera music beautiful, or just loud?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 7+: slapstick; the villain repeatedly hits Harpo with a cane; constant cigars and some drinking; tame 1930s innuendo.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
A Night at the Opera Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection)
Blu-ray · September 28, 2021
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.