Duck Soup was the Marx Brothers’ most anarchic film, in which Groucho became the leader of a country and led it into war for no good reason.
Duck Soup was released in 1933, directed by Leo McCarey. Groucho played Rufus T. Firefly, who was appointed leader of the bankrupt country of Freedonia on condition that he marry the wealthy Mrs. Teasdale, played by Margaret Dumont. Instead, Firefly insulted the ambassador of the neighbouring country of Sylvania, played by Louis Calhern, and led Freedonia into war.
The film’s comedy was at its most unrestrained. There was a famous mirror scene, in which Harpo, dressed as Groucho, imitated his every move, and a battle sequence in which the brothers fought with whatever came to hand. The film’s songs included the Freedonian national anthem, which Firefly treated with cheerful disrespect.
Duck Soup was not a commercial success on its first release, and it was the last Marx Brothers film for Paramount, but it has since become their most celebrated film. It is a perfect example of Groucho’s comedy: authority was mocked, war was treated as absurd, and the fastest talker in the room won.