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A Day at the Races

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Marx Bros.' big hit may miss with today's kids.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The Marx Brothers are the anti-authoritarian underdogs while police and other authorities look like gangster henchmen. The threesome pulls off a number of scams and tricks, but in the interest of helping a virtuous pretty girl keep her clinic open. In one scene, they don blackface to hide from police. One musical number includes many African-American performers, but also includes some negative racial stereotypes.

  • Violence & scariness :

    Some slapstick roughhousing, and a horse who likes to kick things over.

  • Sexy stuff :

    Mild innuendo from Groucho.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    References to a few 1930s products and sensations (like big-game hunter Frank Buck) don't mean much today.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking and smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About A Day at the Races

Parents need to know that this movie isn't nonstop comedy. It's got a plethora of musical numbers that bring the action to a halt (if you're lucky, a Marx Brother or two will join the instrumentalizing). Don't be surprised if kids lose interest, or just watch in between careful fast-forwards. One of the livelier musical numbers, with an overwhelmingly black cast of performers, has the reputation of pandering to negative racial stereotypes. The plot glorifies gambling and horse racing.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why the movie's laughs come in such halting fashion. Do you agree with the greatest brains of 1930s Hollywood that audiences -- specifically women -- couldn't keep up with the brilliant comedians, and needed singing and dancing interludes? Is it true that only males go for the Three Stooges as well? What about TV variety shows like Saturday Night Live that break up the satirical skits with (usually) non-funny musical interludes. Do you think the "Who Dat Man?" frenetic swing number here, with Harpo and an otherwise all-black cast, is racist?
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