History Film / MonkeyBusiness

Like other early Marx films such as ''Film/HorseFeathers'' and ''Film/DuckSoup'', ''Monkey Business'' is much more anarchic and gag-driven than later movies like ''Film/ANightAtTheOpera'', which heavily feature romance, musical numbers, and, well, [[ExcusePlot plots]]. This was also the Brothers' first film written expressly for the screen rather than adapted from a stage play; Creator/SJPerelman was one of the writers.

* NoNameGiven: None of the brothers' characters are actually named in the film. The general consensus seems to be that each brother is essentially appearing AsHimself, this is supported as each of them is credited just by their first name in the credits

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4553835172_marx_bros_monkey_biz_xlarge.jpeg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Ah, this is the only way to travel."'' [[note]]A line Groucho would re-use in ''Film/DuckSoup''.[[/note]]]]

!!Tropes featured include:

-->'''Lucille:''' What are you doing in that closet?
-->'''Groucho:''' Nothing -- come on in!

-->'''Groucho''': Come here, babe, I like you.
-->'''Lucille''': Oh, I shouldn't. What about my husband?
-->'''Groucho''': That's alright. Maybe we can get a girl for him.

* FarmersDaughter: Groucho [[InvokedTrope complains that there anren't any]] in the barn.

** Harpo infiltrates a Theatre/PunchAndJudy show in progress, and starts interacting with the puppets... so what happened to the puppeteer who was controlling them ''before'' he got involved? [[note]]He can be heard yelping when the First Officer attacks the puppets, but is otherwise TheGhost.[[/note]]

* DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel: Played with when a woman drops a handkerchief in front of Zeppo, who pockets it and then drops one for her to pick up.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Big Joe is a ruthless racketeer, but he seems genuinely concerned for his daughter.

* FarmersDaughter: Groucho [[InvokedTrope complains that there is not any]].

* PassThePopcorn: Groucho cheerfully stands between Alky Briggs and his wife while they have a spat, clearly enjoying the show. He even referees the argument, letting the participants know when it's their turn to speak. When the wife gets a little too angry, Groucho hands Briggs a gun, saying, "Here, big boy, you're going to need this more than I will."

* TookALevelInBadass: Zeppo: He spends the first half of the film running from ship security and being nervous about holding a gun. He ends the movie [[spoiler: brawling with gangsters, knocking one out]].

** Harpo infiltrates a Theatre/PunchAndJudy show in progress, and starts controlling and imitating the puppets...so what happened to whoever was controlling them ''before'' he got involved?

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The one where]] [[TheSpeechless Harpo]] [[TheSingingMute sings]].

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.
* HaveAGayOldTime: While fleeing the ship's crew, Groucho hides in a closet in Briggs' suite. Briggs leaves, and Groucho and Briggs' wife go back and forth about Groucho hiding in the closet, and how he can't stay in there. Later, Briggs returns while the two are dancing elaborately, and unwittingly ends up dancing with Groucho, who attempts to kiss Briggs before opening his eyes and realizing the switch. It ''sounds'' like a perfect StealthPun on "coming out of the closet," but the phrase had no connection to homosexuality until at least the 1960s, making this merely a [[HilariousInHindsight fantastic]] coincidence.

* TapOnTheHead: Both Chico and Harpo seem to be very fond of this in the final. Harpo, obviously, takes it UpToEleven.

* NoNameGiven: None of the brothers' characters are actually named in the film, and each of them is credited just as 'A Stowaway' in the credits. The general consensus seems to be that each brother is essentially appearing AsHimself.

[[TheOneWith The one where]] [[TheSpeechless Harpo]] [[TheSingingMute sings]].

[[TheOneWith The one where]] [[TheSingingMute Harpo sings]].

[[TheOneWith The one where]] Harpo sings.