# A Night at the Opera

> 1935 Marx Brothers film by Sam Wood

**Wikidata**: [Q943992](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q943992)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_at_the_Opera_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-night-at-the-opera-q943992

## Summary
*A Night at the Opera* is a 1935 musical comedy film directed by Sam Wood, featuring the American comedy troupe known as the Marx Brothers. Produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, this American production is recognized as a significant entry in the National Film Registry for preservation by the United States Library of Congress.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: The film was published on January 1, 1935.
- **Director**: Sam Wood directed the production.
- **Primary Cast**: The film stars the Marx Brothers, an American comedy troupe, including Groucho Marx (1890–1977), an American comedian and citizen of the United States.
- **Genre**: It is classified as a musical film.
- **Production Company**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), an American film and television distribution company founded on April 17, 1924, with headquarters in the United States.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, a country primarily located in North America with independence declared on July 4, 1776, and recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
- **Preservation Status**: The film is part of the National Film Registry, a selection established in 1988 for preservation by the Library of Congress.
- **Aliases**: The entity is also known as "Night at the Opera."
- **Digital Presence**: The film has a Wikipedia title of "A Night at the Opera (film)" and holds 43 sitelinks across various language editions.

## FAQs
**Who created and distributed this film?**
The film was directed by Sam Wood and produced by the Marx Brothers comedy troupe. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a major American film and television company that was founded in 1924.

**What is the historical context of the production country?**
The film originates from the United States, a nation whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This North American country serves as the headquarters for the distributing studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

**Why is this specific movie preserved in a national archive?**
*A Night at the Opera* was selected for the National Film Registry, a program initiated in 1988 to preserve culturally significant films in the United States. This designation ensures its protection within the Library of Congress for future generations.

**What genre does this film belong to and who are the main stars?**
This production is categorized as a musical film featuring the Marx Brothers. A key figure in the troupe is Groucho Marx, an American comedian born in 1890 who held various occupations including acting and writing.

## Why It Matters
*A Night at the Opera* holds enduring significance as a landmark of American cinema that successfully blended the chaotic energy of the Marx Brothers with the structured format of a musical film. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance, ensuring it remains accessible for study and appreciation. The film represents a pivotal collaboration between the iconic comedy troupe and the major studio system of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, illustrating the peak of 1930s entertainment production. By preserving this work, the United States acknowledges the role of comedy and music in its national heritage, highlighting the contributions of figures like Groucho Marx to the global arts landscape.

## Notable For
- **National Recognition**: It is one of the 44 films selected for the National Film Registry, highlighting its status as a preserved piece of American history.
- **Genre Fusion**: The film stands out as a definitive example of the musical film genre, combining slapstick comedy with operatic themes.
- **Studio Legacy**: It serves as a prime example of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's output during its early years following its 1924 inception.
- **Comedy Troupe Peak**: The movie showcases the Marx Brothers at the height of their popularity, featuring Groucho Marx's distinct comedic style.
- **International Reach**: With 43 sitelinks on Wikipedia, the film demonstrates significant global interest and documentation across multiple languages.

## Body

### Production and Release Details
*A Night at the Opera* was released on January 1, 1935, marking a specific moment in the history of American cinema. The film was directed by Sam Wood, who guided the creative vision of the project. It falls under the classification of a musical film, a genre that combines narrative storytelling with musical numbers. The production was handled by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an organization established on April 17, 1924, which operates within the film and television industry. The company is headquartered in the United States, a country that serves as the primary location for the film's production and distribution.

### The Marx Brothers and Key Personnel
The central creative force behind the film is the Marx Brothers, an American comedy troupe known for their unique brand of humor. A prominent member of this group is Groucho Marx, an American comedian born in 1890 and who passed away in 1977. Groucho Marx held multiple occupations, including acting and writing, and was a citizen of the United States. His involvement, along with the rest of the troupe, defines the film's comedic identity. The collaboration between these performers and director Sam Wood resulted in a work that is widely recognized as a classic of the era.

### National Significance and Preservation
The film's cultural impact is formally recognized through its inclusion in the National Film Registry. This registry is a selection of films chosen for preservation by the United States Library of Congress, a program that began in 1988. Being part of this registry signifies that *A Night at the Opera* is considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to the nation. The United States, which declared its independence on July 4, 1776, and had that independence recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783, maintains this registry to protect its cinematic heritage. The film's status ensures it remains available for educational and historical purposes.

### Digital Footprint and Classification
In the digital age, the film maintains a robust presence with 43 sitelinks on Wikipedia, indicating its widespread documentation and interest across different language communities. Its official Wikipedia title is listed as "A Night at the Opera (film)," and it is also known by the alias "Night at the Opera." The film is categorized under the broader class of "film," defined as a sequence of images that give the impression of movement, stored on film stock. This classification connects it to a vast network of 235 other related film entities in knowledge databases. Additionally, its association with the musical film genre links it to 51 other works in that specific category, while its connection to the Marx Brothers links it to 90 related entities.

### Organizational Context
The film is inextricably linked to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an organization that has been a cornerstone of the American film industry since its inception in 1924. MGM's role as a distributor and producer places *A Night at the Opera* within a larger ecosystem of 77 related organizational entries. The company's operations are based in the United States, aligning with the film's national origin. The film's existence within this corporate structure highlights the industrial capacity of the era to produce high-quality musical comedies that would later be deemed worthy of national preservation.

## References

1. The Movie Database
2. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
3. A Night at the Opera. Rotten Tomatoes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Kinopoisk
6. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/a-night-at-the-opera/)
7. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
8. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=26170.html)
9. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/3735)
10. Bechdel Test Movie List
11. mymovies.it
12. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/B2FB-6567-298B-2BE3-1102-0)
13. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/79366)
14. Kanopy
15. Trakt.tv
16. FilmVandaag.nl