Ritz Brothers: Difference between revisions
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They were enlisted by [[Darryl F. Zanuck]] to make films for [[20th Century Fox]] in the mid-[[1930s]]. Their talent was also noted by [[Samuel Goldwyn]], whom secured them on loan out from Zanuck for his [[technicolor]] variety program, [[The Goldwyn Follies]] ([[1938]]), wherein they appeared other headliners of the day including [[Edgar Bergen]] and Charlie McCarthy. Perhaps their most successful film during this period was "[[The Three Musketeers (1939 film)|The Three Musketeers]]" ([[1939]]), co-starring [[Don Ameche]]. |
They were enlisted by [[Darryl F. Zanuck]] to make films for [[20th Century Fox]] in the mid-[[1930s]]. Their talent was also noted by [[Samuel Goldwyn]], whom secured them on loan out from Zanuck for his [[technicolor]] variety program, [[The Goldwyn Follies]] ([[1938]]), wherein they appeared other headliners of the day including [[Edgar Bergen]] and Charlie McCarthy. Perhaps their most successful film during this period was "[[The Three Musketeers (1939 film)|The Three Musketeers]]" ([[1939]]), co-starring [[Don Ameche]]. |
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They were also caricatured (as themselves) in the 1939 [[Donald Duck]] short, ''The Autograph Hound''. |
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Although they had some modest success, they were unable to achieve the success or popularity of the [[Marx Brothers]]. By [[1940]], they had moved to [[Universal Studios]] where they continued to make films, although never achieving star power. Their final film together was "Never a Dull Moment" ([[1943]]), although they continued to appear on stage together until Al's death. In the 1970s, Harry and Jimmy appeared together in a couple of films. They were buried in Hollywood Cemetery, now called the [[Hollywood Forever Cemetery]]. |
Although they had some modest success, they were unable to achieve the success or popularity of the [[Marx Brothers]]. By [[1940]], they had moved to [[Universal Studios]] where they continued to make films, although never achieving star power. Their final film together was "Never a Dull Moment" ([[1943]]), although they continued to appear on stage together until Al's death. In the 1970s, Harry and Jimmy appeared together in a couple of films. They were buried in Hollywood Cemetery, now called the [[Hollywood Forever Cemetery]]. |
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Revision as of 07:19, 13 February 2007
The Ritz Brothers were a comedy team who appeared in 1930s films, and as live performers from 1925 to the late 1960s. Brothers in reality, their last name was originally Joachim.
Although there were four brothers, only three of them performed together. The fourth brother, George, acted as their manager.
- Al, (August 27, 1901 - December 22, 1965)
- Jimmy, (October 4, 1904 - November 17, 1985)
- Harry, (May 22, 1907 - March 29, 1986)
The brothers began using the name "Ritz" for their nightclub act after seeing the name on the side of a laundry truck.
They were enlisted by Darryl F. Zanuck to make films for 20th Century Fox in the mid-1930s. Their talent was also noted by Samuel Goldwyn, whom secured them on loan out from Zanuck for his technicolor variety program, The Goldwyn Follies (1938), wherein they appeared other headliners of the day including Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Perhaps their most successful film during this period was "The Three Musketeers" (1939), co-starring Don Ameche.
They were also caricatured (as themselves) in the 1939 Donald Duck short, The Autograph Hound.
Although they had some modest success, they were unable to achieve the success or popularity of the Marx Brothers. By 1940, they had moved to Universal Studios where they continued to make films, although never achieving star power. Their final film together was "Never a Dull Moment" (1943), although they continued to appear on stage together until Al's death. In the 1970s, Harry and Jimmy appeared together in a couple of films. They were buried in Hollywood Cemetery, now called the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Enduring tributes to them include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and mentions in the films My Favorite Year and Mr. Saturday Night.
The influence of the Ritz Brothers was greater than their film career, in part because of their long career as nightclub entertainers. They influenced actors including Danny Kaye, Jerry Lewis, and Sid Caesar. In his 1976 film Silent Movie, Mel Brooks paid tribute to the Ritz Brothers by casting Harry in a cameo, the actor's last role.
An article in Esquire Magazine by Harry Stein (June 1976), "Mel Brooks Says This [Harry Ritz] is the Funniest Man in the World", makes a strong case that many top comedians were influenced by, and even borrowed bits from, Harry Ritz.
The last appearance of the Ritz Brothers as a group (sans Al) was the mid-1970s film Blazing Stewardesses. The Ritzes were cast as replacements for The Three Stooges who dropped out of the film following the death of Moe Howard.
Simpsons reference
The Ritz Brothers were referenced by Mr. Burns in The Simpsons episode [4F10], "Mountain of Madness."
- Burns: "What a disgraceful display. I've seen more orderly behavior in a Ritz Brothers film."
External links
- Al Ritz at IMDb
- Harry Ritz at IMDb
- Jimmy Ritz at IMDb