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 | ... | Mrs. 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 |
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. Written by grantss
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". :-)