Duck Soup (1933)
February 29, 2024 10:02 AM - Subscribe
[TRAILER] When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Lt. Bob Roland (Zeppo marx) serves as Firefly's secretary. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.
Directed by Leo McCarey. Written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Arthur Sheekman, Nat Perrin. Produced by Herman J. Mankiewicz (uncredited) for Paramount Pictures. Cinematography by Henry Sharp. Edited by LeRoy Stone (uncredited). Music by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby.
91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
JustWatch listing.
Directed by Leo McCarey. Written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Arthur Sheekman, Nat Perrin. Produced by Herman J. Mankiewicz (uncredited) for Paramount Pictures. Cinematography by Henry Sharp. Edited by LeRoy Stone (uncredited). Music by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby.
91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
JustWatch listing.
This is my favorite Marx Brothers movie. It is very re-watchable.
posted by wittgenstein at 3:52 PM on February 29 [5 favorites]
posted by wittgenstein at 3:52 PM on February 29 [5 favorites]
One of my all time favorite movies. I watched a lot of Marx Brothers with my dad growing up. This one is infinitely quotable - I still say “Go! And never darken my towels again!” all the time, as well as “I’ve got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.” Supposedly Margaret Dumont didn’t understand the line “We’re fighting for this woman’s honor, which is probably more than she ever did!” and they had to explain it to her.
“I’ll teach you to kick me!”
“You don’t have to teach me, I know how!”
Sublime.
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:26 PM on February 29 [6 favorites]
“I’ll teach you to kick me!”
“You don’t have to teach me, I know how!”
Sublime.
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:26 PM on February 29 [6 favorites]
The mirror scene is a tiny masterpiece.
posted by obol at 2:35 AM on March 1 [10 favorites]
posted by obol at 2:35 AM on March 1 [10 favorites]
I have no idea why but Harpo handing someone his leg always makes me just lose it laughing. Doubly so when the guy he hands his leg to is already annoyed.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:39 AM on March 1 [7 favorites]
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:39 AM on March 1 [7 favorites]
I think about this exchange on a daily basis:
Secretary of War: How about taking up the tax?
Rufus T. Firefly: How about taking up the carpet?
Secretary of War: I still insist we must take up the tax.
Rufus T. Firefly: He's right, you've gotta take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:28 PM on March 1 [9 favorites]
Secretary of War: How about taking up the tax?
Rufus T. Firefly: How about taking up the carpet?
Secretary of War: I still insist we must take up the tax.
Rufus T. Firefly: He's right, you've gotta take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:28 PM on March 1 [9 favorites]
"If any form of pleasure is exhibited / report to me and it shall be prohibited! / I'll put my foot down, so shall it be! / This is the land of the free!"
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:05 AM on March 2 [4 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:05 AM on March 2 [4 favorites]
No Harpo harping or Chico pianoing, boo
Those moments happen as interludes, pauses in the madness.
The thing about Duck Soup is that the madness never stops.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:12 PM on March 4 [5 favorites]
Those moments happen as interludes, pauses in the madness.
The thing about Duck Soup is that the madness never stops.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:12 PM on March 4 [5 favorites]
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posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:34 PM on February 29 [1 favorite]