Duck Soup (1933) 8.0
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 |
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Duck Soup (1933) 8.0
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 |
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Complete credited cast: | |||
The Marx Brothers | ... |
(as The Four Marx Brothers)
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Groucho Marx | ... | ||
Harpo Marx | ... | ||
Chico Marx | ... | ||
Zeppo Marx | ... | ||
Margaret Dumont | ... | ||
Raquel Torres | ... | ||
Louis Calhern | ... | ||
Edmund Breese | ... | ||
Leonid Kinskey | ... |
Agitator
(as Leonid Kinsky)
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Charles Middleton | ... |
Prosecutor
(as Charles B. Middleton)
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Edgar Kennedy | ... |
The small state of Freedonia is in a financial mess, borrowing a huge sum of cash from wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale. She insists on replacing the current president with crazy Rufus T. Firefly and mayhem erupts. To make matters worse, the neighboring state sends inept spies Chicolini and Pinky to obtain top secret information, creating even more chaos! Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>
All the comedies in which the Marx Brothers appeared were extensions of their vaudeville days. In "Duck Soup", the visual gags that worked so well on the stage are incorporated into the film. Director Leo McCarey directed this zany movie in which the Marx Brothers do their best to entertain their public.
There are many interesting moments in the film, but the best sequence has to be the mirror scene in which Groucho, Harpo and Chico, dressed in the same costume are seen on either side of the looking glass following the other person's movements. The other asset in the film is the final conflict with Sylvania in which Groucho is seen dressed in many uniforms while leading the war against the enemy.
We had seen this film before, but took another look when it was shown on cable recently. The great Margaret Dumont is simply one of the best actresses that ever worked with the Marx Brothers in their comedies. She is amazing in playing the straight part against Groucho's antics. A young Louis Calhern cuts quite a figure as the Trentino, the Sylvanian ambassador to Freedonia. Raquel Torres is a nice addition to the film playing the exotic Vera Marcal.
The Marx Brothers do what they do best in "Duck Soup" guided by a director who knew what to do with them, Leo McCarey.