1933 Directed by Leo McCarey
Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.
Groucho Marx Harpo Marx Chico Marx Zeppo Marx Margaret Dumont Raquel Torres Louis Calhern Edmund Breese Leonid Kinskey Charles Middleton Edgar Kennedy Edward Arnold Wade Boteler Sidney Bracey E.H. Calvert Davison Clark Louise Closser Hale Carrie Daumery Maude Turner Gordon Florence Wix Joseph Crehan Mario Dominici Edmund Mortimer Charles West Verna Hillie Edward LeSaint George MacQuarrie Frederick Sullivan Eric Mayne Show All…
Marx Brothers - Duck Soup, 鸭汤, 鸭子汤, Sopa de pato, Héroes de ocasión, Marx Brothers [1933] Duck Soup, Eendensoep, Патешка супа, O Diabo a Quatro, Kachní polévka, Die Marx Brothers im Krieg, En tosset diktator, Neljä naurettavaa naapuria, Sopa de ganso, 식은 죽 먹기, 덕 수프, Fyra fula fiskar
"Duck Soup" is a comedy machine gun. Its jokes and gags come quickly and constantly in a barrage of rat-a-tat-tat amusement. It is a fully funny, wholly high-energy romp whose only misfire may be that not every bit of wit flows organically from its narrative; but this is a tiny quibble as "Duck Soup" is clearly constructed to be a showcase of Marx Brothers mirth.
A political satire that skewers foreign relations, war, national treasures, and national treasuries, Leo McCarey's "Duck Soup" begins with Groucho Marx's Rufus T. Firefly being named head of the nation of Freedonia. From there, jokes, musical numbers, and mostly solid plotting fly in torrents. The narrative is a sturdy foundation for sturdy comedy.
The timely-even-today…
Has anyone ever sat down and calculated the jokes per minute in this frickin' thing? The joke density has to be high, somewhere around the level of seasons 4-6 Simpsons. I re-watched DUCK SOUP within the last year, and I was still laughing so much today that I felt light headed when the lights came up. The escalating scale of the jokes to that last reel of absolute convention shattering anarchy ... *faints
duck soup
/ˌdək ˈso͞op /
an easy task, or someone easy to overcome.
A satire on American nationalism that aged like fine wine. This was my introduction to the Marx brothers, although I’m sure I’ve seen their comedy act in a hundred other films before as their influence is as clear as day.
While their cartoonish behavior is something most people are already familiar with, the comedy by the Marx brothers feels the most genuine. Acting stupid throughout the runtime of your film is a comedic gimmick that can quickly grow old. Yet, the Marx brothers act like fools during all of Duck Soup and somehow maintain to be charming, witty, and imaginative.
Pure quick-witted comedy mayhem that these crazy characters unleash as easy as Duck Soup!
"I didn't come here to be insulted! ... That's what you think!"
Enjoying the old fashion zany and some times mean comedy of the Marx Brothers took some getting used to, but now I am ready to see more hijinks from Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and I suppose Zeppo too. In this classic comedy they stir up trouble for everyone from political aristocrats to street vendors, as Groucho is appointed the leader of the country of Freedonia. With his talent for anti-diplomacy, it looks like they are headed for war for sure with the troublesome neighboring country of Sylvania.
"I am willing to do anything to prevent…
my dumb ass self really thought they were gonna cook sum duck soup but it's actually a slang for something easy to do 😭😭😭
“What significance? We were just four Jews trying to get a laugh. – Groucho Marx on the film
It is 69 pretty much blissful and mellow and merry minutes that offers a few gales of hard laughter. Another twenty minutes tacked on and Duck Soup would not be the masterpiece it is ninety years later. “A Night at the Opera” is a four star gem, but there are some lame cutaways to non-Marx actors singing and forced pathos that sucks some of the juice out. “A Day at the Races” is good, not bad. “Horse Feathers” is not jerky enough, and I cannot even remember the Marx Bros. in the first ten minutes, and I think they show up after…
My first Marx brothers film, and I've gotta say I'm impressed! There are so many jokes in this to the point where I couldn't keep up anymore, and I had a handful of genuine laughs from some of the gags. For being made nearly 90 years ago, this little film still holds up as a classic--I'm excited to see more of what's in store for this time period.
"I can't even say how much I loved it. I loved it that much."
- The 7 year-old
"Yeah, that was funny."
- Me, unconvincingly
5/17 of Marx Madness 2021
Duck Soup is always a delight to rewatch - it's like revisiting an old friend at this point. This is the last of the five films from the Paramount Pictures era, before the Brothers moved to MGM. An opus of political satire and slapstick sensibilities, this is one of the Marx's finest films - the gag per minute count is off the chart! The chaotic energy of Groucho, Chico and Harpo is in full fruition here, with Zeppo having very little to do. This was Zeppo's last film with the Marx Brothers - stating that 'there are only so many ways you can say "oh look, here comes Groucho" - probably the funniest thing Zeppo…
Quite possibly the smartest dumb comedy ever made. The timing, pace, and construction of almost every joke is just sublime. And the joke density is off the charts, so even if a gag makes you roll your eyes, there’ll be ten more in the same minute that might make you laugh and forget all about it.
I first saw this in my highschool film class and fell in love with the Marx Brothers ever since.
"I could dance with 'til the cows come home on second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows 'til you came home."
Among all the other great lines.
This also might be the first film to feature a parody style montage and a musical number about people happily going to war.
Also that iconic mirror scene.
It's a shame this wasn't as well received when it came out.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ For all the quips
If you want to see more great Marx Brothers films check out A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, and Horse Feathers.
So trying to complete all the AFI top 100 films this year and my journey has brought me to this Marx brothers film. This might be one of the most bat shit crazy films I have ever seen. This movie is wall to wall jokes with no room given to breathe really. There are many great bits in this film from the mirror scene, lemonade stand, and even the war song. That song bit being one of the craziest yet delightful bits of madness I've ever seen on film. Overall this is just a pure comedy and definitely a lot of fun. The movie does kind of lack in story though. As it is not all that interesting of story…
5/17 of Marx Madness 2021
Duck Soup is always a delight to rewatch - it's like revisiting an old friend at this point. This is the last of the five films from the Paramount Pictures era, before the Brothers moved to MGM. An opus of political satire and slapstick sensibilities, this is one of the Marx's finest films - the gag per minute count is off the chart! The chaotic energy of Groucho, Chico and Harpo is in full fruition here, with Zeppo having very little to do. This was Zeppo's last film with the Marx Brothers - stating that 'there are only so many ways you can say "oh look, here comes Groucho" - probably the funniest thing Zeppo…
Some of my favorite comedies, including Caddyshack and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, go off the walls bonkers, and I think it’s safe to say that Duck Soup belongs in that same category of comedy. I think it’s also safe to say it is not only a great film, but a great comedy.
I can’t believe Duck Soup stole the mirror sequence from Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.
Maybe it’s just my personal taste but I FAR prefer the physical comedy from the Marx Brothers over the verbal comedy.
this is funny but why were they so mean to that poor street vendor just trying to make a living
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