Monkey Business

film by McLeod [1931]

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July 16, 2026

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"Monkey Business" is a 1931 film comedy starring the Marx Brothers. The film is known for its chaotic humor and satirical take on society, a hallmark of the Marx Brothers' style. It features Groucho Marx's rapid-fire wit and wordplay, Harpo Marx's silent antics with his horn and harp, and Chico Marx's distinctive piano playing and accent. The movie satirizes various aspects of society, including academia and social conventions, through outlandish gags and nonsensical situations. It is considered one of their classic films from their time with Paramount Pictures, alongside "Horse Feathers" and "Duck Soup." The term "monkey business" itself refers to mischievous or deceptive behavior.12

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Norman Z. McLeod
Marx Brothers and W.C. Fields
…Hattie (1931)—before going solo with Monkey Business (1931), a classic Marx Brothers farce. Much of the activity was improvised by the Marxes, who for the first time were not adapting one of their stage vehicles. McLeod reteamed with the brothers on Horse Feathers (1932), which was arguably funnier than Monkey…
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…Hattie (1931)—before going solo with Monkey Business (1931), a classic Marx Brothers farce. Much of the activity was improvised by the Marxes, who for the first time were not adapting one of their stage vehicles. McLeod reteamed with the brothers on Horse Feathers (1932), which was arguably funnier than Monkey…
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Herman Mankiewicz
…example, in the Marx Brothers’ Monkey Business (1931) and Horse Feathers (1932). Plagued by alcoholism, he wrote his last film, The Pride of St. Louis, in 1952. His brother Joseph was also a screenwriter and director. Mankiewicz’s struggles to write the screenplay for Citizen Kane were later dramatized in David…
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…example, in the Marx Brothers’ Monkey Business (1931) and Horse Feathers (1932). Plagued by alcoholism, he wrote his last film, The Pride of St. Louis, in 1952. His brother Joseph was also a screenwriter and director. Mankiewicz’s struggles to write the screenplay for Citizen Kane were later dramatized in David…
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S.J. Perelman
…screenplays for such classics as Monkey Business (1931) and Horse Feathers (1932). Laura West, whom he had married in 1929, collaborated with him on several screenplays. Perelman also regularly contributed essays for The New Yorker magazine under such absurd titles as “Beat Me, Post-Impressionist Daddy” and “Methinks He Doth Protein…
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…screenplays for such classics as Monkey Business (1931) and Horse Feathers (1932). Laura West, whom he had married in 1929, collaborated with him on several screenplays. Perelman also regularly contributed essays for The New Yorker magazine under such absurd titles as “Beat Me, Post-Impressionist Daddy” and “Methinks He Doth Protein…
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