Humor Risk (lost silent Marx Brothers film; 1921): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Humorisk.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the few surviving production stills from the film.]]
{{InfoboxLost
Many think that the Marx Brothers didn't start their prolific film career until the era of the talkies. These people are unaware of the existence of the Brothers' 1921 "real" film debut, '''''Humor Risk''''', (aka ''Humorisk''). The film was only shown once and received confused/mixed reviews. Groucho Marx was reportedly so ashamed of the film that he destroyed the only copy, although many have disputed this claim.
|title=<center>Humor Risk</center>
|image=MarxBrothersHumorRisk-InfoboxStill.jpg
|imagecaption=One of the few surviving production stills from the film.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}


The film has never been seen outside its original showing. There are no surviving stills, very little is known about the plot, and Groucho never said much about it. If the claim of him destroying the only copy of the film is true, then this movie will simply never again see the light of day.
'''''Humor Risk''''' (aka '''''Humorisk''''') is a 1921 silent short film by the Marx Brothers.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209031/ IMDb page] Retrieved 19 Oct '14.</ref> The film is known for being the first on-screen appearance for the legendary comedy group whose talkie films were well received following the breakthrough of their 1929 hit "The Cocoanuts." This film marked the transition of the brothers from successful vaudeville performers to early stars of American film.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humor_Risk Wikipedia article.] Retrieved 24 Nov '16.</ref>


This is the only missing Marx Brothers film. It would take 8 more years and the invention of the talkies for the 4 brothers to find true success.
Little is known about this film beyond some details of production and a brief plot synopsis. In short, the film sought to parody the highly-popular film of 1920 "Humoresque." There is some ambiguity among the online Marx Brothers community on whether or not the leading lady was Esther Ralston or Helen Kane. There is also ambiguity as to exactly what role each brother plays.<ref>[http://marxology.marx-brothers.org/humorisk.htm Marxology article.] Retrieved 24 Nov '16.</ref>
 
It has been long thought that Groucho Marx destroyed the only copy of the film, as he claimed to, which would render the film lost permanently. However, this claim has been contested, and extensive research shows that the film may still exist.<ref>[http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/the-marx-brothers-lost-film-getting-to-the-bottom-of-a-mystery BrentonFilm article exposing some of the complexities of the search for the film.] Retrieved 24 Nov '16.</ref>
 
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Historic]]

Revision as of 15:02, 8 May 2020

MarxBrothersHumorRisk-InfoboxStill.jpg

One of the few surviving production stills from the film.

Status: Lost


Humor Risk (aka Humorisk) is a 1921 silent short film by the Marx Brothers.[1] The film is known for being the first on-screen appearance for the legendary comedy group whose talkie films were well received following the breakthrough of their 1929 hit "The Cocoanuts." This film marked the transition of the brothers from successful vaudeville performers to early stars of American film.[2]

Little is known about this film beyond some details of production and a brief plot synopsis. In short, the film sought to parody the highly-popular film of 1920 "Humoresque." There is some ambiguity among the online Marx Brothers community on whether or not the leading lady was Esther Ralston or Helen Kane. There is also ambiguity as to exactly what role each brother plays.[3]

It has been long thought that Groucho Marx destroyed the only copy of the film, as he claimed to, which would render the film lost permanently. However, this claim has been contested, and extensive research shows that the film may still exist.[4]

References

  1. IMDb page Retrieved 19 Oct '14.
  2. Wikipedia article. Retrieved 24 Nov '16.
  3. Marxology article. Retrieved 24 Nov '16.
  4. BrentonFilm article exposing some of the complexities of the search for the film. Retrieved 24 Nov '16.