the film in later interviews for The Marx Brothers Scrapbook (1974) and in his later book, The Groucho Phile: An Illustrated Life (1976). Because of the encapsulated nature of Groucho's scenes, it had long been assumed that his presence in the film was an afterthought. However, recently discovered letters from Groucho show that he was asked to be part of the project from its earliest stages in 1946–47. The production ran out of money near the end of shooting, so the producers solicited advertising from several companies in order to complete the film. This unique form of product placement (quite rare at that time) was featured in the rooftop chase around advertising billboards. Release Although shooting began in July 1948, the film was not released generally until March 3, 1950. The film's stated copyright is 1949, which is when it was shown in San Francisco on October 12. Originally released at 91 minutes, available non-theatrical prints run 85 minutes and contain some alternate footage with some brief snippets excised from some scenes and some gags completely eliminated. In 2015, Olive Films made the original unedited 91 minute theatrical print available on DVD. Reception Critical reception Love Happy is generally regarded by Marx fans and critics as the weakest of all the Marx Brothers movies in which they were the leads. (The 1956 film The Story of Mankind is also generally rated very low amongst Marx brothers afficianados, but the brothers only make short individual cameos in that film.) In its October 8, 1949 front-page editorial, as well as its review of the movie in the same issue, the motion picture trade periodical Harrison's Reports, which always disapproved of any movie showing brand-name products, severely criticized this film for its rooftop chase among billboards promoting Baby Ruth, General Electric, Fisk Tires, Bulova watches, Kool cigarettes, Wheaties and Mobil gasoline. At the end of his March 8, 1950 episode of his You Bet Your Life radio show, Groucho half-heartedly promotes the film as "Harpo, Chico, and I tell a few jokes and do some acting. It's very educational." In later years, on Today, Groucho dismissed it as a "terrible movie," while speaking of the lasting impression Marilyn Monroe made during her screen test. References External links The Marx Brothers Council Podcast episode discussing Love Happy 1949 films 1949 musical comedy films American musical comedy films American black-and-white films Marx Brothers (film series)