If you’ve read any of my other reviews of other Marx Brothers films then you’ll know that I’m not the biggest fan, but DUCK SOUP fulfills the promise of greatness that is only hinted at in the comedians’ other work. Anarchy is the norm in Marx Brothers pictures and here it is used to brilliance. It’s all about the context.
Freedonia is a bankrupt country that will go under unless it receives $20 million from Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Margaret Dumont, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA), whose only stipulation to the donation is that her political guru Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) is made the leader of the country. However, Firefly is a shyster and has no idea how to run the country. In the country of Sylvania, Ambassador Trentino (Louis Calhern, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE) hires Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to spy on Firefly, ending up with Chicolini hiding out as a peanut vendor and rising to the post of Freedonia’s Secretary of War.
The craziness of the Marx Brothers’ antics is perfect for highlighting the ineptness of rulers. A chief plot point is that Firefly declares war on Syivania over a minor insult with the Ambassador, who constantly tries to make peace only to be insulted by Firefly into engaging in the war. The anarchy and wit of the Marx Brothers only heightens the satirical punch at every turn.
Unlike their other films, this one focuses on its theme and doesn’t fly off into so many tangents. Because the gags are so tied to the satirical theme, the story still feels fresh and alive — not just a collection of gags. The wit of their jokes has more weight because of the subtext. In satirizing the opera and snooty rich people in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and MONKEY BUSINESS respectively, the Marx Brothers only briefly touched on how their zaniness could be used as a wonderful skewer to pan sacred cows.
Moreover, the pacing in DUCK SOUP is perfect, building the insanity to a fervor pitch in the end. It’s done so well that you might miss the brilliant running sight gag dealing with Firefly’s attire. Leo McCarey (GOING MY WAY) is the best director the Marx Brothers ever worked with and it really shows. Smart, hilarious and still has something important to say today — DUCK SOUP is the Marx Brothers’ masterpiece for certain and truly deserves to hailed as one of the all time best comedies ever made.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
