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Duck Soup

  • 19331933
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
60K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
71 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Musical

Rufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who c... Read allRufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.Rufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
60K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Leo McCarey
  • Writers
    • Bert Kalmar(story)
    • Harry Ruby(story)
    • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Groucho Marx
    • Harpo Marx
    • Chico Marx
Top credits
  • Director
    • Leo McCarey
  • Writers
    • Bert Kalmar(story)
    • Harry Ruby(story)
    • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Groucho Marx
    • Harpo Marx
    • Chico Marx
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 292User reviews
    • 83Critic reviews
    • 93Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Official Trailer

    Photos71

    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx and Raquel Torres in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Zeppo Marx and Raquel Torres in Duck Soup (1933)
    Verna Hillie and Harpo Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Margaret Dumont in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont in Duck Soup (1933)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Groucho Marx
    Groucho Marx
    • Rufus T. Fireflyas Rufus T. Firefly
    Harpo Marx
    Harpo Marx
    • Pinkyas Pinky
    Chico Marx
    Chico Marx
    • Chicolinias Chicolini
    Zeppo Marx
    Zeppo Marx
    • Bob Rolandas Bob Roland
    The Marx Brothers
    The Marx Brothers
      Margaret Dumont
      Margaret Dumont
      • Gloria Teasdaleas Gloria Teasdale
      Raquel Torres
      Raquel Torres
      • Vera Marcalas Vera Marcal
      Louis Calhern
      Louis Calhern
      • Ambassador Trentinoas Ambassador Trentino
      Edmund Breese
      Edmund Breese
      • Zanderas Zander
      Leonid Kinskey
      Leonid Kinskey
      • Sylvanian Agitatoras Sylvanian Agitator
      • (as Leonid Kinsky)
      Charles Middleton
      Charles Middleton
      • Prosecutoras Prosecutor
      • (as Charles B. Middleton)
      Edgar Kennedy
      Edgar Kennedy
      • Lemonade Vendoras Lemonade Vendor
      Wade Boteler
      Wade Boteler
      • Officer at Battle Headquartersas Officer at Battle Headquarters
      • (uncredited)
      Sidney Bracey
      Sidney Bracey
      • Mrs. Teasdale's Butleras Mrs. Teasdale's Butler
      • (uncredited)
      E.H. Calvert
      E.H. Calvert
      • Officer in Battle Sequenceas Officer in Battle Sequence
      • (uncredited)
      Davison Clark
      • Minister of Finance #2as Minister of Finance #2
      • (uncredited)
      Louise Closser Hale
      Louise Closser Hale
      • Reception Guestas Reception Guest
      • (uncredited)
      Joseph Crehan
      Joseph Crehan
      • Dignitary at Receptionas Dignitary at Reception
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Leo McCarey
      • Writers
        • Bert Kalmar(story)
        • Harry Ruby(story)
        • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit
      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. —grantss
      • absurd comedy
      • satire
      • political satire
      • slapstick comedy
      • farce
      • 163 more
      • Plot summary
      • Plot synopsis
      • Taglines
        • War Is Swell ...when the Marx Brothers are in it. They'll be out of the trenches by Christmas...if the food doesn't improve
      • Genres
        • Comedy
        • Musical
      • Certificate
        • Not Rated
      • Parents guide

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Italian dictator Benito Mussolini banned the film from Italy because he thought it was a direct attack on him. When news of this reached The Marx Brothers, they were reportedly ecstatic.
      • Goofs
        Vera goes from wearing a dress that shows the top of her breasts, to her breasts being fully covered during the party scene.
      • Quotes

        Rufus T. Firefly: Not that I care, but where is your husband?

        Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead.

        Rufus T. Firefly: I bet he's just using that as an excuse.

        Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end.

        Rufus T. Firefly: No wonder he passed away.

        Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him.

        Rufus T. Firefly: Oh, I see, then it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.

        Mrs. Teasdale: He left me his entire fortune.

        Rufus T. Firefly: Is that so? Can't you see what I'm trying to tell you? I love you.

      • Connections
        Edited into World War Brown (2014)
      • Soundtracks
        His Excellency Is Due
        (1933) (uncredited)
        Music by Harry Ruby
        Lyrics by Bert Kalmar
        Sung by Zeppo Marx and Margaret Dumont with chorus

      User reviews292

      Review
      Top review
      8/10
      Worthy of several viewings.
      Very likely their best film. This is pure surrealism from start to finish, with some of their best-executed routines, and a welcome absence of (serious) musical numbers. Whether it has Harpo answering the phone, Groucho explaining his tax policy or Chico giving a detailed report of his weekly surveillance tactics ("On Wednesday we fool him: We no show up"), this is the epitome of the Marx Brothers movies. And here's one of the funniest lines that nobody else has mentioned: "Ok, I give up. How about your glass of water?" (well, it's only funny in context). (***)
      helpful•31
      14
      • gridoon
      • Oct 11, 2002

      FAQ5

      • Is this movie based on a book?
      • What does "Duck Soup" mean?
      • What was the hand game that Chico was playing?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • November 17, 1933 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Cracked Ice
      • Filming locations
        • Loja, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
      • Production company
        • Paramount Pictures
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Gross worldwide
        • $103,800
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 9 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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