MovieChat Forums > At the Circus (1939) Discussion > 3 on a midget

3 on a midget

posted 18 years ago by tokyostory2000
7 replies | jump to latest

No, thanks. Three on a midget!

Does anyone get this joke?

By the way, this is often said to be one of the Bros worst movies, but I like it. Not the best, but not at all bad.

[–] dustinthewind25 18 years ago

It's supposedly bad luck for three people to share a light from the same match. I think it used to be popular to say, No thanks, three on a match.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_on_a_Match_(superstition)

So Groucho was just playing with the words.

[–] springheeljack59 16 years ago

From what I have heard about the "three on a match" being unluckiy. Is that in war (WWI I assume) the soldiers thought that three people sharing a match at night gave enemy snipers time to get a good aim. Of course that could be BS.

[–] krasnegar 16 years ago

World War One, in the trenches, actually.

[–] fiat0903 16 years ago

It was assumed the match was shared, being held by the first soldier.

One, the sniper sees the light.

Two, he sights in the soldier.

Three, he shoots the soldier.

"While you've a lucifer to light your fag -"

WWI song Pack Up Your Troubles

[–] lroy77 12 years ago

Second least favorite, only Room Service is worse. I have all 13 movies on DVD and there are a few that are hardly ever shown...Animal Crackers, The Big Store (one of my favorites), Night in Casablanca, Love Happy.

I'd pay serious money to have what exists of "I'll Say She Is".

[–] AcademyAwardWinnerJordy 11 years ago

"Second least favorite, only Room Service is worse. "

NOOOOO! I love Room Service and this one! The only one that sorta bored me was Go West. I do, however, get life from the quote

"I don't like your faces!
I suppose you thnk WE like em!"

I'm bigger than life. My name in the lights. I'm the #1 dude, I don't need no hype!

[–] lroy77 12 years ago

It's supposed to be a take of "three on a match", obviously.