The Big Store

thumb The Big Store is a 1941 film about a detective who is hired to protect the life of a singer who has recently inherited a department store. Directed by Charles Reisner. Written by Nat Perrin. Where everything is a good buy. Goodbye!  (taglines) Wolf J. Flywheel It's a gift from a grateful client. They hanged him last year. [to Ravelli] Why don't you assist Basil Rathbone and leave me alone? Dialogue Martha Phelps: Tell me, what would you want to handle this case for me? Wolf J. Flywheel: Twenty thousand dollars. Martha Phelps: Don't you think that's too much? Wolf J. Flywheel: Of course it is, only a cheap chisler would ask that much. Martha Phelps: I was prepared to pay five hundred dollars. Wolf J. Flywheel: Oddly enough, I'm prepared to take it. Shall we bind the deal with a kiss? Or, five dollars in cash? You lose either way. Mr. Grover: What experience have you had at a department store? Wolf J. Flywheel: I was a shoplifter for three years. Woman: Can you tell me the price of this bed? Wolf J. Flywheel: Eight thousand dollars. Woman: Why that's preposterous! I can get the same bed anywhere in town for twenty five dollars. Wolf J. Flywheel: Yes, but not with me in it! Martha Phelps: Tell me, Wolfie dear, will we have a beautiful home? Wolf J. Flywheel: Of course. You're not planning on moving, are you? Martha Phelps: No, but I'm afraid after we're married awhile, a beautiful young girl will come along, and, uh, you'll forget all about me. Wolf J. Flywheel: Don't be silly. I'll write you twice a week. Wolf J. Flywheel: [lying in a bed in The Big Store, when Guiseppi, his wife, and their 12 children surround the bed.] What other hobbies have you got? Guiseppi: Eh, we like-a to see something different in a bed. Wolf J. Flywheel: You would? Just press that button over by the davenport. Guiseppi: Where is the davenport? Wolf J. Flywheel: It's in Iowa. Wolf J. Flywheel: Hey, what's the difficulty here? Guiseppi: Look, I no get excited like-a my wife; but, I come in here with twelve-a kids and now there only six. What happened my six kids? Wolf J. Flywheel: What are their draft numbers? Guiseppi: Look-a there only six-a kids and I know I gotta twelve-a kids! Wolf J. Flywheel: Twelve kids, eh? How much you make a week? Guiseppi: Eh, eh, twenty-five dollars. Wolf J. Flywheel: You can't afford to have twelve kids! Guiseppi: No tell me what I can ford! The only thing I know-a is, I gotta twelve-a kids and now there only six! Wolf J. Flywheel: My good man, statistics prove it costs five dollars a week to provide for a child. Twelve times five is sixty dollars. You only make twenty-five dollars a week! It's economically impossible for you to have twelve children! Mr. Grover: If Ms. Phelps were not my fiancée, I would turn in my resignation and walk out of this store for good! Martha Phelps: Oh no, no... Wolf J. Flywheel: Fiancée? Martha Phelps: Yes. Wolf J. Flywheel: You mean a woman of your culture and money and beauty and money and wealth and money would, would marry that impostor? Fred Sutton: Wake up! The killers are in the store! Wolf J. Flywheel: Well, why doesn't somebody wait on them? Ravelli: I take-a your picture. Hey! Look at me and laugh. Wolf J. Flywheel: I've been doing that for 20 years. Wolf J. Flywheel: Martha, dear, there are many bonds that will hold us together through eternity. Martha Phelps: Really, Wolf? What are they? Wolf J. Flywheel: Your government bonds, your savings bonds, your liberty bonds. Wolf J. Flywheel: [Flywheel has mistaken the Hastings brothers for the killers and handcuffed them] There you are. I give you the killers. Tommy Rogers: Why, it's the Hastings brothers, the men who are going to buy the store. Wolf J. Flywheel: Gentlemen, I'm terribly sorry, but it's really not my fault. You certainly do look like crooks. Mr. Grover: What is this man? A detective? A floorwalker? Or, a poet? Wolf J. Flywheel: All three. And not bad at making love. Eh, Martha? [tickles Martha's chin] Woo-hoo! Wolf J. Flywheel: So, you didn't think I was a real detective, eh? Mr. Grover: Aw, if you're a detective, I'm a monkey's uncle. Wolf J. Flywheel: Keep your family out of this! Tommy Rogers: We can have a party, just like they do in Hollywood. Ravelli: That's-a fine! Let there be wine! Wolf J. Flywheel: And women! Ravelli: And song! Wolf J. Flywheel: And women! Ravelli: And caviar! Wolf J. Flywheel: And women! Ravelli: And more women! Taglines Gorgeous Girls! Uproarious Fun! The Big Musical Show! With gorgeous girls! Cute cut-ups! Lovely lasses! Where everything is a good buy. Goodbye! Song hits galore! 1000 laughs to a customer. Sale on howls! Sensational close-out on roars! Special fun and music bargains. Hurry hurry every laugh must go! No mail or phone orders please! Beauties and cuties! Cast Groucho Marx — Wolf J. Flywheel Harpo Marx — Wacky Chico Marx — Ravelli Tony Martin — Tommy Rogers Virginia Grey — Joan Sutton Margaret Dumont — Martha Phelps Douglas Dumbrille — Mr. Grover William Tannen — Fred Sutton Henry Armetta — Giuseppi Anna Demetrio — Maria Marion Martin — Peggy Arden Virginia O'Brien — Kitty Paul Stanton — Arthur Hastings Russell Hicks — George Hastings External links 0033388 The Big Store 5477 The Big Store Category:1941 American films Category:Marx Brothers films Category:Films set in department stores Category:American comedy films Category:1941 English-language films