Directed by:
Leo McCareyCinematography:
Henry SharpComposer:
John LeipoldCast:
Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont, Raquel Torres, Louis Calhern, Edmund Breese, Charles Middleton, Edgar Kennedy (more)Plots(1)
Leo McCarey directs this 1930s comedy starring the Marx brothers. Set in the fictional country of Freedonia, the story follows the decision of government, in the midst of a financial crisis, to appoint Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) as its president in the hope of securing funding from the wealthy Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). (Universal Pictures UK)
(more)Reviews (3)
Duck Soup was my first and last encounter with the work of the Marx brothers. If this film can be considered a showcase of their film productions, which it really is given the direction and evident attempt at an alternative style of cinematic language, then I have to say that the style of humor that was very popular at that time is simply not for me, as it seems cheap and pandering. Overall impression: 40%.
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There’s the occasional weak gag and a few scenes are unnecessarily long to satisfy the Marx Brothers' appetite for grotesque silent bickering, but in the flood of great comedic ideas and brilliant wisecracks, these flaws disappear just fine. The pace is wonderfully relentless and the crazy humour is not only functional on a satirical level, but simply positively infectious and original. Perhaps the most perfect (though not flawless) case of combining silent slapstick with a cannonade of witty dialogue and musical numbers. Watch it.
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An incredible mix of individual gags that are perfectly connected, complement each other, and escalate. This is an incredibly complex performance that combines spoken and situational humor, along with excellent musical numbers and, ultimately, a brilliantly written story. "Duck Soup" is a beautiful example of a sound-era grotesque comedy.
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