Review of Duck Soup (1933) by Greg S — 08 Apr 2012

Duck Soup doesn't have many flaws, it may look a little dated, and those musical interludes aren't for everyone (They're growing on me), but the main flaw with Duck Soup is that it is simply too funny. There are too many jokes, too many one-liners, too many hilarious set ups and absurd images that it's very easy to forget that this is a satire. I'd even put it over "Dr Strangelove" because Kubrick's film isn't as funny, the situation itself is funnier than the screenplay. Also it's just a bit too obvious (all the phallic imagery and sexual names of everyone). Still, that's an excellent film, but I just like the Marx Brothers a little more.

It all kicks off at an event in the fictional Freedonia honouring Rufus T Firefly (Groucho Marx), who arrives late to his own party. But even though he's the one who's late, everyone else still treats him nicely, while he just insults everyone. It's not long before Rufus is suggested to be the ruler of bankrupt Freedonia, which of course makes Rufus salivate at the thought of making people unhappy. Infact, he's so happy about making people's lives miserable that he doesn't just talk about what a despicable ruler he'll be, he SINGS about it! The woman responsible for Rufus' promotion is the wealthy Mrs Teasdale, the fact that she's wealthy is possibly the only reason Rufus is interested.

Meanwhile the ruler of neighbouring Sylvania Ambassador Trentino also has his eyes on Mrs Teasdale, but wants to dig up some dirt on Rufus. So he hires two inept spies Pinky (Harpo) and Chicolini (Chico) to do the job. But this proves fruitless, as Rufus insults Trentino at every chance he can get, and in one delusional and humourous rant, Rufus declares war. But he doesn't just say it, he SINGS about it, it goes on for a bit too long but it's still very funny.

Infact, the plotline of the film isn't really the point, this film would live and die on its jokes, but my God does this film live, over 75 years of age and it is still hilarious. Groucho just has a bottomless pit of one-liners, double entendres and innuendo that'll leave you in stitches everytime, he's incredibly sharp with them too. Chico & Harpo are a great duo at comedy, be it physical or oral (well Harpo can't speak, so he's not too great on the oral). There are just a ton of quotes that are just plain hilarious, you can literally take your pick from:

"This report is so easy even a 4 year old can understand it, run out and get me a 4 year old I can't make head or tail of this".

"I got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it".

"I'll see you at the opera tonight. I'll hold your seat till you get there. After you get there you're on your own. ".

"Who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes? ".

"Married. I can see you right now in the kitchen, bending over a hot stove. But I can't see the stove. ".

And, of course:

"You're a brave man. Go and break through the lines. And remember, while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in be in here thinking what a sucker you are. ".

But it's not just the lines, there's one terrific sequence where Trentino is getting his report from Chico & Harpo. After they explain that they've got nothing on him, he asks for Rufus' record. Chico pulls out an LP that Trentino doesn't want. Chico throws it up in the air, while Harpo pulls out a shotgun, blows it to smithereens and rings a bell. It's a hilarious sequence, and one of many in the film, including the lemonade stand sequence and the legendary mirror sequence, where Chico accidently breaks a mirror while dressed as Rufus, and attempts to be Rufus' reflection. It's just pure genius that descends into the utterly surreal, a fabulous achievement.

I think Leo McCarey had a pretty easy job to do on the directing front: Pace the film nicely and make sure you get the most out of each joke, and he certainly did. Because this is all about the Marx Brothers, they're incredibly funny, very witty and surprisingly smart: The entire war between two countries is basically over a woman, but not any woman, a rich woman. And how does Rufus come to the decision that Trentino wants a war? He starts talking to himself, building up fake stories of Trentino just before he's about the meet the ambassador. When he turns up, Rufus smacks him for literally no reason! I've said it many times and I'll say it again, "Duck Soup" is one of the funniest films ever.