Duck Soup

Movie: Duck Soup (1933)

AFI List: #85 on the 1998 list and #60 on the 2007 list

My List #25

Starring: Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zippo Marx

My Rating: ˜˜˜

So, as noted in a previous post, I watched two Marx Brothers' comedies in a row. The story is Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) was appointed leader of a small bankrupt country called Freedonia. Their neighboring country of Sylvania is trying to take over the country. The Sylvanian ambassador tries to stir up a revolution and send Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) to spy on Firefly to try and dig up dirt. In an attempt to make the ambassador leave the country Firefly ends up slapping him which leads to the brink of war, resulting in general mayhem.

Like A Night at the Opera, there is a very famous comedy scene between Harpo and Groucho. Pinky, dressed as Firefly, pretends to be Firefly's reflection in a missing mirror, matching his every move, including the ones that begin out of sight to near perfection until the end of the scene.

And this movie, Duck Soup, is considered, by critics, to be the best Marx brothers movie ever. I, actually, do not share that opinion. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for this movie, but I liked A Night at the Opera better. Also, after watching these movies, I can honestly say that I do prefer the comedic pairing of Laurel & Hardy over the Marx Brothers. So, if you want to take a movie recommendation from this, go and get a collection of Laurel & Hardy shorts.