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
From metacritic.com
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Title: Duck Soup (1933)
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2 wins & 2 nominations.
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| The Marx Brothers | ... | (as The Four Marx Brothers) | |
| Groucho Marx | ... | Rufus T. Firefly | |
| Harpo Marx | ... | Pinky | |
| Chico Marx | ... | Chicolini | |
| Zeppo Marx | ... | Bob Roland | |
| Margaret Dumont | ... | Gloria Teasdale | |
| Raquel Torres | ... | Vera Marcal | |
| Louis Calhern | ... | Ambassador Trentino | |
| Edmund Breese | ... | Zander | |
| Leonid Kinskey | ... | Sylvanian Agitator (as Leonid Kinsky) | |
| Charles Middleton | ... | Prosecutor (as Charles B. Middleton) | |
| Edgar Kennedy | ... | Lemonade Vendor | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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Storyline
The country of Freedonia is in the middle of a financial crisis and on the brink of revolution. In order to gain a bail-out from the wealthy Mrs Teasdale, the government appoints Rufus T Firefly as its president. However, Mr Firefly shuns the pomp and pretentiousness of government; along with the prudence and rationality of it too. Meanwhile, the neighbouring country of Sylvania is plotting to overthrow Freedonia and sends Pinky and Chicolini to spy on Firefly. War seems inevitable. Written by grantss
Plot Keywords:
absurd comedy | satire | political satire | slapstick comedy | farce |Taglines:
The fanciest dish of screams -- howls -- beauty and music ever concocted. See more »Parents Guide:
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Prosecutor: That's irrelevant.
Chicolini: Irrelephant? Hey, that'sa that answer. There's a whole lot of irrelephants in the circus.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Early drafts of the script included scenes in an opera house and aboard a zeppelin. See more »Goofs
When Pinky runs into the mirror, it doesn't actually shatter until he's fallen onto the floor. See more »Quotes
Chicolini: Now I aska you one. What has a trunk, but no key, weighs 2,000 pounds and lives in a circus?Prosecutor: That's irrelevant.
Chicolini: Irrelephant? Hey, that'sa that answer. There's a whole lot of irrelephants in the circus.
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 November 1933 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Cracked Ice See more »Edit
Box Office
Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$103,800Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
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.