Duck Soup (1933)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 9min
- Comedy, Musical
- 17 Nov 1933 (USA)
- Movie
Rufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| The Marx Brothers | ... |
(as The Four Marx Brothers)
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| Groucho Marx | ... |
Rufus T. Firefly
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| Harpo Marx | ... |
Pinky
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| Chico Marx | ... |
Chicolini
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| Zeppo Marx | ... |
Bob Roland
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| Margaret Dumont | ... |
Gloria Teasdale
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| Raquel Torres | ... |
Vera Marcal
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| Louis Calhern | ... |
Ambassador Trentino
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| Edmund Breese | ... |
Zander
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| Leonid Kinskey | ... |
Sylvanian Agitator
(as Leonid Kinsky)
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| Charles Middleton | ... |
Prosecutor
(as Charles B. Middleton)
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| Edgar Kennedy | ... |
Lemonade Vendor
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Wade Boteler | ... |
Officer at Battle Headquarters (uncredited)
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| Sidney Bracey | ... |
Mrs. Teasdale's Butler (uncredited)
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| E.H. Calvert | ... |
Officer in Battle Sequence (uncredited)
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Davison Clark | ... |
Minister of Finance #2 (uncredited)
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| Louise Closser Hale | ... |
Reception Guest (uncredited)
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| Joseph Crehan | ... |
Dignitary at Reception (uncredited)
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| Carrie Daumery | ... |
Reception Guest (uncredited)
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Mario Dominici | ... |
Minister (uncredited)
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| Maude Turner Gordon | ... |
Reception Guest (uncredited)
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| Verna Hillie | ... |
Trentino's Blonde Secretary (uncredited)
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| Edward LeSaint | ... |
Secretary of Labor (uncredited)
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| George MacQuarrie | ... |
Judge #1 (uncredited)
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| Edwin Maxwell | ... |
Freedonia's Secretary of War #1 (uncredited)
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| Eric Mayne | ... |
Judge #3 (uncredited)
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| Edmund Mortimer | ... |
Minister (uncredited)
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| Dennis O'Keefe | ... |
Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited)
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| Leo Sulky | ... |
Agitator (uncredited)
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| Frederick Sullivan | ... |
Judge #2 (uncredited)
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| Ben Taggart | ... |
Trench Officer (uncredited)
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| Dale Van Sickel | ... |
Palace Guard (uncredited)
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| Charles West | ... |
Minister (uncredited)
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| Florence Wix | ... |
Reception Guest (uncredited)
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| William Worthington | ... |
Minister of Finance #1 (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Leo McCarey | ||
Written by
| Bert Kalmar | ... | (story) and |
| Harry Ruby | ... | (story) |
| Arthur Sheekman | ... | (additional dialogue) and |
| Nat Perrin | ... | (additional dialogue) |
Produced by
| Herman J. Mankiewicz | ... | producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| John Leipold | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Henry Sharp | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| LeRoy Stone | ... | (uncredited) |
Editorial Department
| Edward Dmytryk | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Hans Dreier | ... | (uncredited) |
| Wiard Ihnen | ... | (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Harry Caplan | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Harry Lindgren | ... | recording engineer (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Dale Van Sickel | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Cliff Shirpser | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Bert Kalmar | ... | music and lyrics by |
| Harry Ruby | ... | music and lyrics by |
| Arthur Johnston | ... | music advisor (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Paramount Pictures (presents)
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1933) (United States) (theatrical) (A Paramount Picture)
- Paramount Film Service (1933) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Paramount British Pictures (1934) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Paramount Film Service (1934) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Film AB Paramount (1934) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Filmaktieselskabet Paramount (1934) (Denmark) (theatrical)
- Paramount-Films (1934) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1949) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- MCA/Universal Pictures (1958) (United States) (tv)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1963) (Finland) (tv)
- Cinéma La Pagode (1965) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Finland) (theatrical)
- MCA Videocassette (1980) (United States) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1986) (Canada) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1986) (United States) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1991) (United States) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1991) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1995) (United States) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- Image Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2005) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universal Home Video (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2011) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2012) (United States) (DVD) (4 film set)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film set)
- Action Cinémas (2014) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2015) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Universal Pictures (2016) (United States) (Blu-ray) (in "The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection")
- Arrow Films (2017) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (The Marx Brothers at Paramount box set)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2022) (Australia) (DVD)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (Czechia) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Emka Ltd. (current copyright proprietor)
- Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America (acknowledgement)
- Western Electric (noiseless recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The country of Freedonia is in the middle of a financial crisis and on the brink of revolution. In order to gain a bail-out from the wealthy Mrs Teasdale, the government appoints Rufus T Firefly as its president. However, Mr Firefly shuns the pomp and pretentiousness of government; along with the prudence and rationality of it too. Meanwhile, the neighbouring country of Sylvania is plotting to overthrow Freedonia and sends Pinky and Chicolini to spy on Firefly. War seems inevitable. Written by grantss |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | War Is Swell ...when the Marx Brothers are in it. They'll be out of the trenches by Christmas...if the food doesn't improve See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Italian dictator Benito Mussolini banned the film from Italy because he thought it was a direct attack on him. When news of this reached The Marx Brothers, they were reportedly ecstatic. See more » |
| Goofs | Vera goes from wearing a dress that shows decolletage, to her breasts being fully covered, during the party scene. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into World War Brown (2014). See more » |
| Soundtracks | His Excellency Is Due See more » |
| Quotes |
Rufus T. Firefly:
Not that I care, but where is your husband? Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead. Rufus T. Firefly: I bet he's just using that as an excuse. Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end. Rufus T. Firefly: No wonder he passed away. Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him. Rufus T. Firefly: Oh, I see, then it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first. Mrs. Teasdale: He left me his entire fortune. Rufus T. Firefly: Is that so? Can't you see what I'm trying to tell you? I love you. See more » |