Duck Soup (1933)

Duck Soup(1933) is the funniest and most entertaining comedy that I've seen in my life. It was the last film the Marx Brothers would do for Paramount before going over to MGM. Duck Soup is an anarchic comedy where the main characters never live by the rules and rebel as a result. The Marx Brothers put out some of the greatest comedies that rarely has been matched. It is a satire about the nature of war, politics, and affairs of the state. Duck Soup(1933) is a great example of a film that can easily induce a person into bursts of laughter.

Fmovies: 'Duck Soup' was my first Marx Brothers film, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was slightly disappointed with it. After hearing about its comedic brilliance for the longest of times, it's an unfortunate inevitability that the film failed to reward my heightened expectations. The brothers' final production for Paramount Pictures, 'Duck Soup' was also the last screen appearance for Zeppo Marx, before he left the group to pursue other ventures (including opening a large theatrical agency with fifth brother Gummo). Though only mildly successful on its original release, the film has since grown greatly in stature, and is now considered by many to be one of the greatest comedies in cinema history. Obviously, I don't quite share this sentiment, but I'd nonetheless like to talk about the parts of the film that had me laughing.

The plot for the film, which is basically a very loose narrative serving the sole purpose of connecting all the jokes, concerns the kingdom of Freedonia, newly-headed by Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx). Trentino (Louis Calhern), the ambassador of neighbouring kingdom, Sylvania, wishes to gain control of Freedonia by marrying the wealthy and influential Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). To aid his cause, Trentino hires two spies, Chicolini and Pinky (Chico and Harpo Marx, respectively) to shadow Firefly and report on his movements. After relations between the two nations break down, their disagreements escalate into a fully-fledged war.

Without a doubt, Groucho was my favourite of the quartet. Hidden behind his trademark fake moustache, eyebrows and glasses, his character is the epitome of quick wit, delivering a seemingly endless stream of puns, double entendres and insults. The verbal gags come so thick and fast that, by the time you've registered the punchline and finished laughing, you've already missed the subsequent three jokes. Chico also has his fair share of good lines, and Harpo – the silent member of the crew – has a lot of fun with the physical side of comedy, with the help of a limitless supply of props hidden within his clothing. Perhaps it was just my general ignorance, but it took me a very long time to work out which character was played by Zeppo, usually regarded as the "straight-man" of the group.

The mirror pantomime sequence – first used in Charles Chaplin's 'The Floorwalker' – is a classic gag, and probably my favourite of the lot. Harpo's peculiar habit of using his scissors to snip everything within reach also brought a few solid laughs, not to mention Groucho's energetic delivery of quick-witted wisecracks. However, it all seemed so inconsequential. At the end of the day, once the 68 minutes were over, it didn't seem as though anything had been achieved. I've never really been a huge fan of the so-called "anarchic comedy" genre (for example, 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)' left me completely cold), and so perhaps it's just a matter of personal preference. In spite of this, I did find 'Duck Soup' sufficiently entertaining to warrant another exploration into the films of the Marx Brothers.

"Duck Soup" is so funny that you can watch it with the sound off and you will still laugh hysterically. Of course, then you would miss some of the best dialog in comedy history, especially from Groucho Marx, who may be the funniest human being ever. How many other comedians or comics can you name that have excelled at both physical comedy and at telling jokes? The sight gags are brilliant and perfectly timed; a big influence on other comedies that reaches all the way to "A Hard Day's Night," as well as the "Monty Python's Flying Circus" TV series. Some of the jokes in this movie fly by very fast, so each repeated viewing reveals something new. I believe this movie bombed when originally released, but then again so did "It's A Wonderful Life."

Duck Soup fmovies. 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). (***)

Probably the Marx Brothers' most famous comedy, "Duck Soup" is a hilarious and wacky slapstick comedy that even manages to take a stab at politics. Groucho plays Rufus Firefly, who is appointed the new president of Freedonia. He has a dubious stance on work ethic and attempts to cut work hours by reducing the length of employee lunch breaks.

Mrs. Teasdale, who has donated twenty million dollars to the failing country, becomes the object of affection for Rufus, who has to battle for her hand against Ambassador Trentino of the neighboring country Sylvania. Soon their tumult escalates and war is declared between the two countries.

Most people who comment on this film seem to indicate that they saw it at a very young age and have grown up with it. I can honestly say I wasn't given the opportunity to ever see it until recently, when I finally managed to watch it on Turner Classic Movies, completely uninterrupted.

Although it is not consistently laugh-out-loud, tears-in-your-eyes hilarious, "Duck Soup" is very funny - and not quite as outrageous as I had expected. There's a lot going on here, aside from silly physical humor.

The Marx Brothers are great as usual and as usual Groucho steals the show.

Ultimately if you've never seen this, you need to go rent it out right now. If you have seen it, you already know how great it is and why it deserves its reputation as one of the most beloved comedies ever made.

Many will say that Airplane or anything by Woody Allen rates this summary but I strongly disagree. There are very few pleasures on earth as hearing Groucho insult people, Chico's murder of the English language, or seeing Harpo's physical comedy. In this movie you have it all. From Groucho's entrance in the first scene to the bombing of the shelter while defending Margaret Dumont's "honor", there is not one slow moment. Like the great screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, this movie does not require special effects or offensive dialogue to make it watchable over and over again. The only thing that this movie does require is your attention and a quick finger on the rewind button. (For when you miss something, and on the first viewing you will) All in all, this is the all time best comedy, political or otherwise.