Duck Soup (1933)

Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.

Director:

Leo McCarey

Writers:

Bert Kalmar (story), Harry Ruby (story)

Stars:

Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
The Marx Brothers	...	(as The Four Marx Brothers)
Groucho Marx	...	Rufus T. Firefly
Harpo Marx	...	Pinky
Chico Marx	...	Chicolini
Zeppo Marx	...	Bob Roland
Margaret Dumont	...	Gloria Teasdale
Raquel Torres	...	Vera Marcal
Louis Calhern	...	Ambassador Trentino
Edmund Breese	...	Zander
Leonid Kinskey	...	Sylvanian Agitator (as Leonid Kinsky)
Charles Middleton	...	Prosecutor (as Charles B. Middleton)
Edgar Kennedy	...	Lemonade Vendor

Storyline

The country of Freedonia is in the middle of a financial crisis and on the brink of revolution. In order to gain a bail-out from the wealthy Mrs Teasdale, the government appoints Rufus T Firefly as its president. However, Mr Firefly shuns the pomp and pretentiousness of government; along with the prudence and rationality of it too. Meanwhile, the neighbouring country of Sylvania is plotting to overthrow Freedonia and sends Pinky and Chicolini to spy on Firefly. War seems inevitable.

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Plot Keywords:

absurd comedy | absurd humor | political satire | slapstick comedy | farce | 

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Taglines:

Gags the whole town will be telling! Songs that will burst your bathroom walls! BOY HOW THEY HAND IT OUT! (Print Ad- West Seattle Herald, ((West Seattle, Wash.)) 22 February 1934)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was influenced by a political play called Of Thee I Sing, by George S. Kaufman (who wrote two of The Marx Brothers' stage plays) and Morrie Ryskind, which took satirical swipes at French and U.S. relations. The Marxes briefly flirted with the idea of adapting the play for the screen. Instead, they incorporated many of the same themes into early drafts of the script.

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Goofs

When Chicolini and Pinky get in Trentino's office, Trentino puts the lit cigar on the desk, near the twin phones. Thereafter he picks it up next the cigar box.

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Quotes

Freedonia's Secretary of War: I give all my time and energy to my duties, and what do I get?
Rufus T. Firefly: You get awfully tiresome after a while!
Freedonia's Secretary of War: Sir, you try my patience!
Rufus T. Firefly: I don't mind if I do, you must try mine sometime!
Freedonia's Secretary of War: That's the last straw, I resign! I wash my hands of the whole business!
Rufus T. Firefly: Good idea, you can wash your neck, too!

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Connections

Referenced in Ski School (1990)

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Soundtracks

The Stars and Stripes Forever
(1896) (uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa

User Reviews

I Wouldn't Join Any Country that Would Have Me.

I'm shocked, shocked at all the negative comments covering this comedy classic. The puns, the insults, are all now comedy classics. The Lemonade Stand & the Mirror Scenes also memorable. I hadn't seen the movie in around 15 years but bought the DVD so my 15 year old son could experience the Marxes. He loved it too.

What I noticed for the first time was the satire of society, manners, government, the military, the bureaucracy (including Roberts Rules of Order). I can't recall any other comedy I've seen that satirizes on such a grand scale.

For Marx Brothers fans this is a must see. It's the boys with no love story or musical interludes in the way.

One word for those who disagree- "Upstart". :-)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cracked Ice

Filming Locations:

Loja, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$103,800

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1