Duck Soup

19331933
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 9min

Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)

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Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.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)
- Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations

Videos1

Official Trailer

Official Trailer

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)

Rufus T. Fireflyas Rufus T. Firefly

Pinkyas Pinky

Chicolinias Chicolini

Bob Rolandas Bob Roland

The Marx Brothers

Margaret Dumont

Gloria Teasdaleas Gloria Teasdale

Vera Marcalas Vera Marcal

Ambassador Trentinoas Ambassador Trentino

Zanderas Zander

Sylvanian Agitatoras Sylvanian Agitator
(as Leonid Kinsky)

Charles Middleton

Prosecutoras Prosecutor
(as Charles B. Middleton)

Lemonade Vendoras Lemonade Vendor

Officer at Battle Headquartersas Officer at Battle Headquarters
(uncredited)

Mrs. Teasdale's Butleras Mrs. Teasdale's Butler
(uncredited)

Officer in Battle Sequenceas Officer in Battle Sequence
(uncredited)

Minister of Finance #2as Minister of Finance #2
(uncredited)

Louise Closser Hale

Reception Guestas Reception Guest
(uncredited)

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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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 162 more

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

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

Top review

10/10

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". :-)

helpful•120

25

jcohen1
Nov 28, 2004

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

Gross worldwide
- $103,800

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 9min
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1

Stephen Chbosky

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Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)

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