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Duck Soup

  • 19331933
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
60K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Zeppo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup (1933)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
71 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Musical

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
60K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Leo McCarey
  • Writers
    • Bert Kalmar(story)
    • Harry Ruby(story)
    • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Groucho Marx
    • Harpo Marx
    • Chico Marx
Top credits
  • Director
    • 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
    • 292User reviews
    • 83Critic reviews
    • 93Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Official Trailer

    Photos71

    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. Fireflyas Rufus T. Firefly
    Harpo Marx
    Harpo Marx
    • Pinkyas Pinky
    Chico Marx
    Chico Marx
    • Chicolinias Chicolini
    Zeppo Marx
    Zeppo Marx
    • Bob Rolandas Bob Roland
    The Marx Brothers
    The Marx Brothers
      Margaret Dumont
      Margaret Dumont
      • Gloria Teasdaleas Gloria Teasdale
      Raquel Torres
      Raquel Torres
      • Vera Marcalas Vera Marcal
      Louis Calhern
      Louis Calhern
      • Ambassador Trentinoas Ambassador Trentino
      Edmund Breese
      Edmund Breese
      • Zanderas Zander
      Leonid Kinskey
      Leonid Kinskey
      • Sylvanian Agitatoras Sylvanian Agitator
      • (as Leonid Kinsky)
      Charles Middleton
      Charles Middleton
      • Prosecutoras Prosecutor
      • (as Charles B. Middleton)
      Edgar Kennedy
      Edgar Kennedy
      • Lemonade Vendoras Lemonade Vendor
      Wade Boteler
      Wade Boteler
      • Officer at Battle Headquartersas Officer at Battle Headquarters
      • (uncredited)
      Sidney Bracey
      Sidney Bracey
      • Mrs. Teasdale's Butleras Mrs. Teasdale's Butler
      • (uncredited)
      E.H. Calvert
      E.H. Calvert
      • Officer in Battle Sequenceas Officer in Battle Sequence
      • (uncredited)
      Davison Clark
      • Minister of Finance #2as Minister of Finance #2
      • (uncredited)
      Louise Closser Hale
      Louise Closser Hale
      • Reception Guestas Reception Guest
      • (uncredited)
      Joseph Crehan
      Joseph Crehan
      • Dignitary at Receptionas Dignitary at Reception
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Leo McCarey
      • Writers
        • Bert Kalmar(story)
        • Harry Ruby(story)
        • Arthur Sheekman(additional dialogue)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit
      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. —grantss
      • absurd comedy
      • satire
      • political satire
      • slapstick comedy
      • farce
      • 163 more
      • Plot summary
      • Plot synopsis
      • Taglines
        • War Is Swell ...when the Marx Brothers are in it. They'll be out of the trenches by Christmas...if the food doesn't improve
      • Genres
        • Comedy
        • Musical
      • Certificate
        • Not Rated
      • Parents guide

      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 reviews292

      Review
      Top review
      The Marx Brothers At Their Very Best
      There are a lot of reasons why so many different reviewers suggest that "Duck Soup" is a genuine candidate for the funniest movie ever made. It has the Marx brothers at their very best, with rapid-fire laughs combining with a satirical "plot" that is very funny in itself, without getting in the way of the individual comedy sequences that are the real highlight of the film. Their timing and material are as good here as they ever have been.

      The Marx brothers are still beloved today because when at their best, they treated their audience to a lot of riotous slapstick that cannot be watched without laughing, while at the same time rewarding their viewers for paying attention with a steady stream of puns, deadpan one-liners, brief sight gags, and other subtler humor. The more you watch, the more you notice.

      "Duck Soup" has a lot of their very best material, and everyone has their own favorite scenes, whether it is the mirror sequence, or Chico and Harpo giving their report to Louis Calhern, or the street vendor scenes, or ... . The variety of comic settings and comic material is amazing, and when you add in the entertaining musical sequences (which again are particularly good in this one), it is a feast that never stops.

      Any Marx brothers fan has seen this one several times, and does not need to be reminded what great fun it is. If you have never watched one of their films, give this one a try.
      helpful•48
      10
      • Snow Leopard
      • Jun 1, 2001

      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)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Cracked Ice
      • Filming locations
        • Loja, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
      • Production company
        • Paramount Pictures
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Gross worldwide
        • $103,800
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 9 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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