Intro.
Sadly, I have not seen many Marx brothers films. Sure, I'd seen all the classic bits and one or two films a long while ago, but I had missed Duck Soup. That is, until TCM showed it a few days ago and I realized that going back to the original is always the best option.Overview
Duck Soup has nothing to do with ducks or soup. What it does deal with are four brothers having a fantastic time. The plot is as looney as the actors - Groucho is elected the new president of Freedonia and promptly lets the power go to his head. After he insults the ambassador to the neighboring country of Sylvania, he declares war (actually, everyone sings a lovely song about going to war). Meanwhile, two spies from Sylvania (Chico and Harpo) are sent to follow Groucho and get his war plans. Chico gets caught and is on trial when war breaks out (hence the singing). After a lot of wisecracks, misdirects and shenanigans, the war ends with a food fight that wins the war for Freedonia.Highlights
The great one-liners from Groucho keep coming like ammunition in this film. I can't even begin to transcribe them all, but here are a few:I've got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.
Why a four year old child can understand this report. Go out and find me a four year old child - I can't make heads or tails of this.
The Secretary of War is out of order. Which reminds me, so is the plumbing.
Let's give him ten years in Levenworth. Or eleven years in Twelvenworth.
However, the true gems of the film are the sequences with two or more of the brothers. First there's the recurring car sequence with Harpo and Groucho where the motorcycle and sidecar are set to drive away but become detached every time, stranding Groucho. When he finally switches with Harpo, of course it is the sidecar that starts and leaves the motorcycle behind.
Then there's the way that Chico and Harpo play with the president of Sylvania - there's no straight answer to any question. And while Chico distracts him with his interesting take on the English language, Harpo is busy with his kleptomania. It's a wonderful bit that keeps up with the quick pace and quicker wit. It's also a routine they continue with the rival vendor in front of the palace. In addition to Groucho's great lines, there's also Chico's continually horrible language confusion (mistaking Tanks for Thanks, for example) as well as Harpo's silence. I loved the phone sequence where Harpo has an entire conversation on the phone using nothing but different tones of horns.
Finally there is the missing mirror sequence. In a mad dash for the war plans, both Chico and Harpo dress up as Groucho, which leads to a lot of problems. When the wall sized mirror in Groucho's room breaks, the three begin a great look-a-like mimicry routine that has been referenced, parodied and copied so many times that it is a classic in every sense of the word. And it is brilliant.
Review and Recommendation
Duck Soup is a classic, I can't say it enough. While I may not be a seasoned fan, I can definitely appreciate all of the hard work to make this comedy as seamless as possible. The wonderful interactions between these fast thinking, fast acting brothers is a marvel in itself. It's rare today to be able to watch such legends in a film that shaped the history of comedy. It's definitely enjoyable for all ages, although there are a few jokes that only the adults will be able to get. Still, if you don't laugh at least once during this film, you don't have a funny bone! And if you are wondering about the title, here's what John Lithgow (who introduced Duck Soup as part of TCM's Essentials Jr.) said:
"Well, Groucho explained [....] take 2 turkeys, 1 goose, 4 cabbages but no duck, mix them all together, and after one taste, you'll duck soup the rest of your life."
