Rating: 
Summary: STERLING MARX LUNACY.
Review: Actually considered a flop when it was originally released back in 1933, DUCK SOUP is now generally regarded as the best/most successful Marx Bros. picture. Groucho plays Rufus T. Firefly, the soon-to-be leader of the small country called Freedonia. The thin plot includes the unique Margaret Dumont in her recurring role as the rich matron Groucho unabashedly tries to bilk out of her fortune, and Louis Calhern (he was once married to Natalie "Lovey Howell" Schafer) as the obligatory villian out to trounce Groucho and company. Most notably, DUCK SOUP contains one of the most famous examples of Marx lunacy: the mirror sequence. Years later, this routine would be seen again by millions in 1955 when Harpo and Lucy Ricardo played it excellently on I LOVE LUCY. While the great zanies first two films, THE COCOANUTS (1929) and ANIMAL CRACKERS suffer from staginess and inconsequential plotting, DUCK SOUP transcends its meager plot to give the Brothers the characterisations that would stay with them in other films: Groucho, the master of of zany one-liners and double-entendres, whose shadiness is exceeded only by his humour; Harpo, the silent, looney girl-chaser; Chico, the "Italian" foil for Groucho's complicated conversations; and lastly, Zeppo, the rather wooden "go-fer" (his talents were generally overshadowed by his brothers). After the insane, relentless comedy of the earlier scenes, the films' sudden and abrupt ending is slightly disappointing, but the lunacy of these madcaps gives us 72 minutes of supreme Marx insanity to cherish.
Rating:
Summary: Duck Soup
Review: "I shot an elephant in my pajamas; how he got in my pajamas, I'll never know," - this and other classic punch lines are sure to make any Marx Brother's fan go quackers. With a few musical numbers, including Groucho singing soprano, Chico playing a never-ending piano piece, and Harpo doing what he does best - playing the harp [duh] - music lovers will avoid, I mean enjoy, these Hollywood hymns. I don't want to give too much away, but I will mention that along with the slap-stick comedy there is a plot; has something to do with an African explorer, a stolen masterpiece, and a womanizing mime and his Italian chum. And, yes, Zeppo is a secretary again [type casting]. However, if you are not able to comprehend fast talkers and/or are a women's lib painted warrior, I strongly suggest you rent Forest Gump instead.
Rating:
Summary: Hail Freedonia & The Return Of Margaret Dumont
Review: "Duck Soup", the Marx Bros. fifth film, released in 1933, may be their finest piece of work. It is fast paced throughout, with a myriad of gags, jokes, and one-liners; the songs are humorous; there is no hint or presence of opera; it marks Zeppo's last film with his brothers (he later became their agent) - and best of all, Margaret Dumont returns after a two film absence. (She was not in "Monkey Business" or "Horse Feathers")Groucho plays Rufus T. Firefly, the newly appointed dictator of Freedonia. This small nation is on the brink of bankrupty and is threatened to be taken over by neighboring Sylvania when Mrs. Gloria teasdale, played by Margaret Dumont, the wealthiest freedonian, offers financial assistance only if Rufus becomes dictator. This does not set well with Trentino, Slvania's ambassador, played by Louis Calhern. He plans to marry Mrs. Teasdale (she is a widow), gain her fortune, and take over Freedonia. Now, with Rufus as the new dictator, and showing his own interest in her, Trentino sees war as the only way to overtake Freedonia. Groucho picks up with Margaret Dumont right where he left off with her in "Animal Crackers"; that being, rudely. Yet that is what she is in these film for - to play the kind of high society snob the Marx Bros. love to hate, and make fun of, brilliantly so. Zeppo is less than visible in this film, and really doesn't have much a role, except for the songs. Trentino hires Chico and Harpo to spy on Rufus, which is interesting because Chico is also hired by Rufus as Minister of War, which he only accepts after Rufus declines the offer. Harpo, as in previous films, is fixated on horses. In one scene he is sleeping with a horse, while a beautiful woman sleeps alone in another bed. Trying to break the relationship and trust Mrs. Teasdale has for Rufus, Trentino uses the voluptious Vera Marcal, played by Racquel Torres, to make love, of sorts, to Rufus. However, Rufus is more interested in making jokes at her expense than anything else. Great scenes pull this film together; including the mirror scene where Harpo is dressed to look like Groucho, and each tries to expose and one up the other; Chico and Harpo's feud between vendor Edgar Kennedy; and Chico's trial, where he has been arrested for being a spy, and sees it as more of a game than anything else. War is finally declared, and overall it plays out fantastically. The ending is, to a certain extent, poor; not one of the Marx Bros. best film endings. However, it had to end without seeing anyone actually killed, and in this respect, the ending is justified. Throughout its history, "Duck Soup" has been banned both in Italy, by Mussolini; and here in the U.S., during part of the Vietnam War. Yet it has stood the test of time, and still stands as one of their best, if not their best, films.
Rating:
Summary: The Secretary of War is Out of Order
Review: By far and without a doubt, the FUNNIEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME. Duck Soup is 100% Marx Brothers, with no sub-plots to slow them up. Groucho, Chico and Harpo are all in top form. Margaret Dumont is at her peak. Edgar Kennedy is outstanding. Duck Soup is a political satire. Groucho is head of state. Chico and Harpo are spies. Every scene is a classic. The best of the best might be when Chico and Harpo get into Margaret Dumont's house to steal the war plans. It includes the famous mirror scene. Duck Soup also has the perfect ending. GREAT. GREAT. GREAT. PERFECTION!!!
Rating:
Summary: The masters of comedy in three masterpieces
Review: Sorry about the tacky title. In any case, the Marx Brothers are hilarious to people of all ages. When I was a kid I watched these all on VHS because of Harp- and Chic- o's funny slapstick actions. Now, as a college student lashing out against society, I watch it for Groucho's incredible, biting brilliance.
A Night At the Opera is brilliant. It has been a long time since I've seen it, though. One of my favorite lines ever is in there: Groucho and Chico are arguing about contracts and get to a clause about how if one side becomes insane, it shall be void. "Yeah, that's the insanity claus" says Groucho. "You can't fool me!" replies Chico. "There ain't no Sanity Claus!" (Say it out loud.)
Duck Soup is my favorite comedy ever. It is full of the same brilliance and only too short. Groucho plays the perfect leader, Chico and Harpo kind of vaguely play spies in some hilarious episodes. It's funny. Trust me.
And now, I must ask, "WHY HAVE THEY DISCONTINUED THIS?" Surely this is some kind of horrible joke! Please recontinue it soon!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant film comedy
Review: This parady on war was filmed in the mid 1930's, just before Hitler was to make all of this a reality. This is easily the best of all the Marx Brothers films- every scene is a classic and the film flows without any dead, slow spots. Repeated jokes like "The Emperor's car" driven by Harpo, which always manages to leave Groucho behind, are hilarious. I actually still own the video tape and not the DVD, but my copy was digitally remastered and hasnt shown any signs of wear after two dozen viewings.
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Summary: Our teenager loved "Duck Soup"
Review: Our teenaged son loves classic movies and comedy (Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Allan Sherman, etc.), so my wife and I decided he simply had to see "Duck Soup." I don't think I've ever heard him laugh so loud, so often, as he did for this Marx brothers' classic comedy. Groucho Marx is in peak form, and some viewers may notice where Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce got some of his antics for the MASH television series. By all means, give your kids a hefty dose of humor and some cinematic history at the same time!
Rating:
Summary: Satire and slapstick, together at last
Review: DUCK SOUP is arguably the most famous of the Marx Brothers films and contains much of their most well-known material. The mirror skit, the Paul Revere routine, the lemonade stand sequence, the Rules Of My Administration song, the Freedonia Goes To War song and dance, and many others are all a part of this hilarious film. These are the Marx Brothers at the height of their powers, before the studios stepped in and forced them to include irrelevant romantic subplots and superfluous characters. No such padding exists in this film and the result is one of the best they ever made. A lot has been said about the political satire element that runs through the film. It even led to the film being banned in several countries upon its initial release. There is certainly a nontrivial amount of very biting satire contained, but I think that portion been played up a little too much over the years. From some reviews, one might expect to see nothing but caricatures of military leaders of the day and commentary on different political philosophies. While there are examples of that, some of the funniest material comes simply from the Marx Brothers' usual blend of slapstick and quick wit. The satire and the Marx Brothers together in one film make for an extraordinary feat. This is one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Though the extra features on this DVD may be scarce (read: there are none), it is definitely worth it to purchase on the more reliable and durable format. It's a film that stands up to multiple repeated viewings, so you'll be watching it again and again.
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Summary: hail the marx brothers
Review: this is as good as it gets!! the greatest ever marx brothers movie!!buy it now!!
Rating:
Summary: hail hail groucho!!!!!
Review: amazing quick fire gags from groucho , and slapstick from pinky and chicolini. this is as good as a movie can possibly get!!!it has got all the classic scenes including the late arrival of groucho at the top of the movie and the lemonade stand sequence which will make you laugh outloud!!!!!!!!!
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