Duck Soup Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 452

Average Rating: 3.1/4

# of Ratings: 193

Theatrical Release Date: 11/17/1933

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Musical

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Leo McCarey

Actors: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Louis Calhern, Margaret Dumont

Plot: Freedonia has borrowed a large sum of money from a wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale. Rufus T. Firefly is to replace the current president of the country so that they are able to get out of debt. The neighboring countries send inept spies to obtain secret information. Slapstick comedy.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 11/17/2023

"I'll see my lawyer about this as soon as he graduates from law school!" Brilliant. Just brilliant. I can't believe it took me so long to finally get around and watch one of the Marx Brothers films. But man, I can imagine this was a pain to film, and there had to be so many takes to perfect the comedy and timing. There was a part in the movie where a prop chair fell on Groucho Marx's head during a chaotic scene, and I could tell it was not planned at all. Thankfully, the results made for one classic comedy.

Indyfreak - wrote on 11/02/2019

The quick wit of Groucho Marx and the slapstick antics of his brothers keep the otherwise tiresome political action tolerable. Annoying musical numbers interrupt the plot occasionally.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/06/2019

A hilarious farce that is certain to entertain any fan of good old-fashion slapstick.

SteelCity99
Director

Duck Soup

SteelCity99 - wrote on 04/22/2018

Although I've never been particularly an avid fan of the Marx brothers, I accept that their films are funny and quite enjoyable to see. However, Duck Soup tops them all because of its genius. It does not only have unforgettable gags and unbelievably hilarious and absurd moments, but the political and social criticism it contains was very well thought. Whether a person has or not seen a Marx brothers movie before, that person will find this movie brilliant in several aspects.

Duck Soup tells the story of Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) who is named president of Freedonia, a small country that's going through a very difficult economical situation. Since this moment, crazy jokes and mayhem ensues for everybody. Things get worse once Rufus declares war on its neighbor country …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Duck Soup review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/10/2013

Some movies deserve to be in one of the greatest film's list, this is testament to being an accurate inclusion. Definitely the funniest war related comedy that this reviewer has seen. Fantastic screenplay, influential and impeccable comic timing while it's premise ahead of its time which never feels dated. Rich Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) appoints Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) to head a bankrupt country Freedonia. Sylvanian ambassador Trentino (Louis Calhern) hires a pair of spies Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) to check on Firefly. Firefly entrusts the war plans to Mrs. Teasdale's possession. So many memorable funny lines, these standout for this reviewer: "You didn't think they were important? Do you realize I had my dessert wrapped in those papers?" …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"Duck Soup" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 02/19/2012

A wealthy widow blackmails the government of Freedonia into appointing wise cracking shyster Rufus T. Firefly as president and the country is almost immediately at war. Duck Soup is probably the ultimate example of the Marx brothers' brand of knockabout comedy. It's still virtually plotless, but the ideas gel together much more fluently than most, there is a perfect balance between slapstick and one liners and they managed to keep Harpo and Chico away from musical instruments meaning it keeps its momentum right til the end. Zeppo still sucks but thankfully he is hardly in it, the songs are kept to a minimum but have a large scale spectacle and funny lines and Louis Calhern as the bad guy gives it some thespian weight missing from most of the others. Highlights include Harpo's running …