Duck Soup

It really isn't that implausible to have a Rufus T. Firefly leading the country.  Maybe it seemed so in 1933, when the Marx Brothers' DUCK SOUP was released.  Maybe not.  Donald Trump seemed to believe (and clearly still believes) he was/is leading an autocracy.  And seemed as daffy as the newly appointed leader of Freedonia.  But Firefly (Groucho Marx) may know more.  A hedonist, but aware.  

The wealthy widow Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is wooed by the lazy, wisecracking Firefly, and resistant to the charms of Trentino (Louis Calhern), ambassador of neighboring country Sylvania, which seeks to annex Fredonia.  Trentino employs spies Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) to infiltrate Fredonia, but they're too inept to do anything but get into battles with lemonade salesmen and snipping anything in their path with scissors.  Firefly exasperates his Cabinet, Mrs Teasdale, Trentino, and pretty much the human race.  But like Trentino, he's after the widow's money.  Too bad a war breaks out between Fredonia and Sylvania after a series of insults go wrong.

Why am I recounting the plot? The quartet of screenwriters and director Leo McCarey do intend some sly satire on nationalism, capitalism, and politics, but never at the expense of a good joke. And most of them land. The hit and run verbal double entendres, puns, and non-sequitirs are still very m uch in evidence.  Some of the gags are quite hysterical, even even they're absolutely ridiculous.  Pinky firing the gun at the LP record is just hilarious to me.  There are many small moments like that.  But also impressive set pieces, like that mirror scene.  It runs long, but never too long. 

The brothers are in fine form, including the much maligned Zeppo, who is a decent straight man.  There isn't a serious moment to be found, even as the carnage of battle overwhelms the finale. 

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