Common Sense Note
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.
Sexual
Content
Mild innuendo from Groucho.
Violence
Some slapstick roughhousing, and a horse who likes to kick things over.
Language
Not applicable
Social
Behavior
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.
Consumerism
References to a few 1930s products and sensations (like big-game hunter Frank Buck) don't mean much today.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Social drinking and smoking.