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IMDbPro

Duck Soup

  • 19331933
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
61K
YOUR RATING
Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
72 Photos
ComedyMusical
Rufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who c... Read allRufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.Rufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
61K
YOUR RATING
    • Leo McCarey
  • Writers
    • Bert Kalmar(story)
    • Harry Ruby(story)
    • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Groucho Marx
    • Harpo Marx
    • Chico Marx
    • Leo McCarey
  • Writers
    • Bert Kalmar(story)
    • Harry Ruby(story)
    • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Groucho Marx
    • Harpo Marx
    • Chico Marx
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 297User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 93Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos72

    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx and Raquel Torres in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Zeppo Marx and Raquel Torres in Duck Soup (1933)
    Verna Hillie and Harpo Marx in Duck Soup (1933)
    Margaret Dumont in Duck Soup (1933)
    Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont in Duck Soup (1933)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Groucho Marx
    Groucho Marx
    • Rufus T. Firefly
    Harpo Marx
    Harpo Marx
    • Pinky
    Chico Marx
    Chico Marx
    • Chicolini
    Zeppo Marx
    Zeppo Marx
    • Bob Roland
    The Marx Brothers
    The Marx Brothers
      Margaret Dumont
      Margaret Dumont
      • Gloria Teasdale
      Raquel Torres
      Raquel Torres
      • Vera Marcal
      Louis Calhern
      Louis Calhern
      • Ambassador Trentino
      Edmund Breese
      Edmund Breese
      • Zander
      Leonid Kinskey
      Leonid Kinskey
      • Sylvanian Agitator
      • (as Leonid Kinsky)
      Charles Middleton
      Charles Middleton
      • Prosecutor
      • (as Charles B. Middleton)
      Edgar Kennedy
      Edgar Kennedy
      • Lemonade Vendor
      Wade Boteler
      Wade Boteler
      • Officer at Battle Headquarters
      • (uncredited)
      Sidney Bracey
      Sidney Bracey
      • Mrs. Teasdale's Butler
      • (uncredited)
      E.H. Calvert
      E.H. Calvert
      • Officer in Battle Sequence
      • (uncredited)
      Davison Clark
      • Minister of Finance #2
      • (uncredited)
      Louise Closser Hale
      Louise Closser Hale
      • Reception Guest
      • (uncredited)
      Joseph Crehan
      Joseph Crehan
      • Dignitary at Reception
      • (uncredited)
        • Leo McCarey
      • Writers
        • Bert Kalmar(story)
        • Harry Ruby(story)
        • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Italian dictator Benito Mussolini banned the film from Italy because he thought it was a direct attack on him. When news of this reached The Marx Brothers, they were reportedly ecstatic.
      • Goofs
        Vera goes from wearing a dress that shows the top of her breasts, to her breasts being fully covered during the party scene.
      • Quotes

        Rufus T. Firefly: Not that I care, but where is your husband?

        Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead.

        Rufus T. Firefly: I bet he's just using that as an excuse.

        Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end.

        Rufus T. Firefly: No wonder he passed away.

        Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him.

        Rufus T. Firefly: Oh, I see, then it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.

        Mrs. Teasdale: He left me his entire fortune.

        Rufus T. Firefly: Is that so? Can't you see what I'm trying to tell you? I love you.

      • Connections
        Edited into World War Brown (2014)
      • Soundtracks
        His Excellency Is Due
        (1933) (uncredited)

        Music by Harry Ruby

        Lyrics by Bert Kalmar

        Sung by Zeppo Marx and Margaret Dumont with chorus

      User reviews297

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Margaret Dumont !
      One of the funniest films ever made, Duck Soup is total insanity and a fast pace by the Marx Brothers. Is this merely a string of gags or is this pungent political satire? Does it matter? Priceless gags include the famous "mirror" act, the lemonade stand, and some of the funniest plays on words ever heard. Groucho play Rufus T. Firely, who comes to the aide of struggling Freedonia, seemingly run by a wealthy society dame, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). Chico and Harpo play spies in the employ of the rule of Sylvania (Louis Calhern). Nothing makes sense but then this IS about politics. Fast pace zips this film along (directed by the great Leo McCarey) so that the gags and jokes are dizzying. The three brothers are all wonderful as is Dumont. Also thrown into the mix is the exotic Raquel Torres, funnyman Edgar Kennedy, and the lackluster Zeppo Marx. Best gags include the mirror act with Grouch and Harpo (redone on one of Lucille Ball's TV series with Harpo 20 years later); the lemonade sequence with Chico, Harpo, and Kennedy, and of course the bizarre war finale with the brothers and Dumont, who was one of the best comedy foils in film history.

      The usual Marx Brothers blend of skimpy plot, musical numbers and non-stop gags makes this the best of their films. Film history tells us Duck Soup was originally a flop, that it was the last of their films for Paramount, and the final film appearance for Zeppo (no loss there). The Marx Brothers were saved by Irving Thalberg at MGM, and the 3 brothers went on to a few big successes at that studio. One of the funniest films ever made.
      helpful•9
      0
      • drednm
      • Aug 4, 2005

      FAQ5

      • Is this movie based on a book?
      • What does "Duck Soup" mean?
      • What was the hand game that Chico was playing?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • November 17, 1933 (United States)
        • United States
        • English
      • Also known as
      • Filming locations
        • Loja, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
      • Production company
        • Paramount Pictures
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

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      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

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      • 1 hour 9 minutes
        • Black and White

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