Duck Soup

Critics Consensus

Fueled by inspired silliness and blessed with some of the Marx brothers' most brilliant work, Duck Soup is one of its -- or any -- era's finest comedies.

92%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 51

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 36,414

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Duck Soup Videos

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Duck Soup Photos

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Movie Info

When the tiny nation of Freedonia goes bankrupt, its wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), insists that the wacky Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) become the country's president. Sensing a weakness in leadership, the bordering nation of Sylvania sends in the spies Pinky (Harpo Marx) and Chicolini (Chico Marx) to set the stage for a revolution. As Firefly clashes with the Sylvanian ambassador (Louis Calhern), plenty of mayhem ensues, and the countries verge on all-out war.
  • Genre:
    comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Leo McCarey
  • Producer:
    Herman J. Mankiewicz
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Paramount Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono

Cast

Groucho Marx
as Rufus T. Firefly
Chico Marx
as Chicolini
Harpo Marx
as Pinky
Zeppo Marx
as Bob Roland
Margaret Dumont
as Mrs. Gloria Teasdale
Louis Calhern
as Ambassador Trentino of Sylvania
Raquel Torres
as Vera Marcal
Verna Hillie
as Secretary
Leonid Kinskey
as Agitator
Edmund Breese
as Zander
William Worthington
as First Minister of Finance
Edwin Maxwell
as Secretary of War
Edgar Kennedy
as Street Vendor
Marx Brothers
George MacQuarrie
as First Judge
Fred G. Sullivan
as Second Judge
Davison Clark
as Second Minister of Finance
Charles B. Middleton
as Prosecutor
E.H. Calvert
Eric Mayne
as Third Judge
Dale Van Sickel
as Palace Guard
Frederick Sullivan
as Second Judge
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Critic Reviews for Duck Soup

All Critics (51) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (51)

Audience Reviews for Duck Soup

  • Jun 30, 2015
    The Marx brothers raise hell and guns and laughter in this classic, with big musical numbers and a hysterical slapstick humor full of puns and physical gags and memorable scenes that helped define the comedy genre and were an inspiration to many great comedians who came after.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2013
    It is perhaps a shame that I have only had exposure to the Marx Brothers through this film. They have such a wonderful comedic sense amongst themselves led by Groucho who is wonderful as the leader of Freedonia. Timeless humour.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 04, 2012
    Dispite the short duration of it and the lack of more informations about McCarey's storytelling, Duck Soup is one of the finest Marx Brothers film. Laugh out loud all the 69 minutes. Groucho presents the most unforgettable character of his career, Rufus T. Firefly, that sometimes remember Chaplin's The Great Dictator, a few Three Stooges shorts and we can see too the clear influence that Rufus had in Sacha Baron Cohen's Admiral General Aladeen. Fresh.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 07, 2012
    The best movie to see on election night! Freedonia rules. Rufus Firefly for president.
    Bathsheba M Super Reviewer
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Duck Soup Quotes

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