The Marx Brothers: Duck Soup Groucho Marx 2005 New DVD Top-quality

The Marx Brothers’ fifth feature is a zany political satire, which so offended Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini that the film was banned in Italy. Appointed president of Freedonia under the patronage of the wealthy Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) sets about starting a war with neighbouring Sylvania. To this end he trades insults with Sylvanian ambassador Trentino (Louis Calhern), unaware that Trentino’s spies Chicolini (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) are already working to bring down Freedonia from within! The Marxes’ final film for Paramount includes the classic mirror sequence, and was also the last to feature Zeppo, who – dissatisfied with his role as straight man to his three siblings – subsequently embarked on a successful career as an agent.
For those who love the Marx Brothers (Animal Crackers, A Night at the Opera), that this movie is side-slappingly funny is a given. For those new to the Marx Brothers, this is the perfect introduction to Groucho, Chico, and Harpo (and even Zeppo), three of the funniest men to ever grace the screen. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) is the dictator of the small nation Freedonia. The country is a disaster, in financial disrepair, and the wealthy Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is its benefactor and the object of Firefly’s shrewd affection. When the leader of the neighboring Sylvania decides he’s in love with Mrs. Teasdale, Firefly declares war. The movie, from 1933, is tremendously satirical, a play on politics and war. (As Firefly says to a hapless young solider, “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.”) Full of witty lines, great sight gags, and even some snazzy song numbers (“Freedonia’s Going to War” is the hilarious declaration of battle), this is surely one of the best–if not the best–the Marx Brothers have to offer.