Duck Soup

Starring:Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont, Raquel Torres, Louis Calhern, Edmund Breese, Leonid Kinskey, Charles Middleton, Edgar Kennedy, Frederick Sullivan, Maude Turner Gordon, Carrie Daumery, Dale Van Sickel, E.H. Calvert, Sidney Bracey, Louise Closser Hale, Eric Mayne, George MacQuarrie
Director: Leo McCarey
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

There will be a debate of which 2004 DVD collection of Marx Brothers films was better. This Universal release of the better known Paramount-produced films are the only ones starring all four brothers: Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo. The Warner collection contains less-vital films, but is loaded with extras and commentaries. The Universal collection contains only 20 minutes of interviews from NBC's Today Show--interesting but short--with Harpo, Groucho, and Harpo's son Bill from the '60s and '70s. All of the films in this collection were released on DVD by Image Entertainment in 2000 and the prints look the same, which isn't necessarily bad; one just wishes a major restoration had been undertaken.

The films--packaged handsomely with a booklet--are essential Marx Brothers, their first five films made from 1929 to 1933. The least timeless is their first, The Cocoanuts, based on their Broadway hit. The film--one of the first full talkies--takes place in a hotel with owner Groucho out to grab every dollar. Animal Crackers is the brothers' first classic, a lickety-split comedy about an art theft being investigated by Groucho's alter-image, Captain Spaulding. For introducing youngsters to the work of Marx, Monkey Business is the best way. The shenanigans start right at the start as the brothers stowaway on a luxury liner. It's their first film that wasn't based on a play, as they endeavored to find new material. Horse Feathers gave them more fertile ground plus a sure-fire Hollywood director at the helm (Norman McLeoad). Their fantasia of college life includes the riotous football-game finale. Music, always a key part of their plays and films is given more weight here and includes Groucho's theme, "I'm Against It." Music is again key as the musicals of the era are spoofed in the brothers' undisputed masterpiece, Duck Soup. From a land called Fredonia, Groucho plays a slapdash ruler who rewrites the rules of governing, leading to a most memorable war with Sylvania (so war gets lampooned. too). Duck Soup also boasts the most famous Marx brothers sketch: Groucho trying to fool his mirror. --Doug Thomas

Description

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the greatest comedy act in history with The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection. This essential DVD set features the legendary four Marx Brothers in five of their most acclaimed and best loved films - Duck Soup, Horse Feathers, Monkey Business, Animal Crackers and The Cocoanuts - the only five movies ever made with all four brothers together: Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo!

Customer Reviews:

Marx.......2007-07-02

These movies prove that you dont have to get hit to be funny. I always love to see Grucho on the screen. He talks so fast and his sexual innuendos are so funny that I cant believe they never got banned. Harpo and Chico always do a good job together. Zeppo...anyways, the only downside to the set is the speical features. The bonus disc is a joke. The transfer of the films to me seems fine, maybe because ive watched so many comedys from that era. I know some people complained about it. These movies are well worth buying but dont expect anyone to get hit with a hammer.

Marx Brothers Collection.......2007-06-21

Still one of the funniest vaudeville acts ever to grace stage, television, or silver screen, The Marx Brothers pioneered an antic, anarchic style of gut-busting entertainment that left audiences of the 1930s howling with delight. Even today, the hilarious mix of song-and-dance routines like "The Monkey Doodle-Do" and "Shirt Song"--accompanied, of course, by Harpo's harp, Groucho's guitar, and Chico's expert ivory-tinkling--combined with the sheer nuthouse fervor of their adventures simply dazzle. In fact, "Duck Soup" was a political farce so extreme that Mussolini banned it . This "Silver Screen" set collects the Brothers' early, outré Paramount outings, the only films where all four funnymen appeared together. Will social satire ever be this goofy again?

The first 5 Marx Brothers Movies.......2007-05-27

This set contains the first 5 Marx Brothers movies - all done in the 1929-33period- one a year. All 5 contain Zeppo, which is a good thing because once Zeppo was let go, they'd always have a Zeppo=like character. All 5 movies, including Cocoanuts, contain a great deal of laughs.
Not that their next 2 films "Night at the Opera" and "Day at the Races" weren't great, but these are easily among the group's best. The later films concentrated a little too much on big production song and dance numbers- these are unfiltered Marx Brothers. Great support here from Margaret Dumont and Thelma Todd also. Watch these movies and you too will become a Marxist!

The four Marx brothers.......2007-05-12

After all these years they are still better then most modern comedies. I really enjoyed watching these old films I haven't seen them in a long time so it was a great treat. Its a great set to have and if you say comedy is your favorite genre this is a must. The only bad part of this set is the special features. In the special features it shows Groucho and Harpo on the today show doing a little interview then it goes into the 70's with Harpo's son on. They were fun to watch, but for a box set like this it should have had much more.

Great movies, OK box set.......2007-04-23

Definitely great movies deserving of five stars and more! These are the Marx Brothers' best films, including the great Duck Soup. Having read other customer reviews about how Universal "slapped" this set together, however, I was surprised how classy the presentation is on the surface. There is a nice booklet and an extras disc. What were they talking about? Well, the extras really are kind of lame. I mean, they are great, but they really have nothing to do with the films, and they are short -- just interview footage from much later. And truth be told, I didn't get any new information out of the booklet, either. So, if you are optimistic Universal will take another stab at this and invest more in remastering and providing extras that mean something, you might want to wait. I felt it was time for me to have these movies, and I couldn't find any evidence a new version would be forthcoming. I am not disappointed I bought this box set, which has some of the best comedies ever filmed. But Universal definitely did not go the extra mile. "Jamison, take a letter to my lawyer..."

Average customer rating:

Here are the plans of war. They're as valuable as your life. And that's putting them pretty cheap.
"All God's Chillun Got Guns"
"I'll see my lawyer about this as soon as he graduates from law school."
Hollywood wishes he could make a film like this today....
Dialog Highlights This Marx Bros. Gem

Duck Soup
Starring: Groucho Marx , Harpo Marx , Chico Marx , Zeppo Marx , and Margaret Dumont
Director: Leo McCarey
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Screwball Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

A Night at the Opera
Horse Feathers
Animal Crackers
A Day at the Races
City Lights (2 Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: 6305077525
Release Date: 1998-01-21

Amazon.com essential video

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. --Jenny Brown

Description

The Marx Brothers are at their hilarious best in this insanely satirical comedic romp. Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo set international relations on its ear--and the audience in stitches--with their rapid-fire wit and hijinks. Not to be missed, "Duck Soup" is one of the Marx Brothers' most popular films.

Customer Reviews:

Here are the plans of war. They're as valuable as your life. And that's putting them pretty cheap........2007-02-25

Duck Soup remains an excellent example of the fast paced screwball comedies of its time. The Marx Brothers, Margaret Dumont and the rest of the cast turn in convincing performances for this story of two countries that may not always get along very well. The timing is excellent and this helps the comedy along, too.

The movie opens with the state of Freedonia suffering from a huge financial debacle. Only Mrs. Teasdale, played so well by Margaret Dumont, can infuse the government with the money it so desperately needs to keep the country from bankruptcy. Mrs. Teasdale cuts a deal with the government; and soon after Rufus T. Firefly, played by Groucho Marx, becomes the new head of state.

Chaos and mayhem predictably explode from all directions almost immediately after Firefly gets his new job. Firefly proves himself to be inept--in a humorous way--by refusing to deal with the issues of government while having Bob Roland, played by Zeppo Marx, take meaningless letters. Freedonia's troubles only worsen when Firefly becomes rather eager to lead neighboring Sylvania into war. The war scenes offer many opportunities for the Marx Brothers to do the comedy that only they can do best. Other great slapstick scenes involve antics between a peanut vendor and a lemonade vendor as well as the scenes in which more than one Groucho is afoot!

The choreography is excellent; it shines brilliantly for the scene in which Harpo, who plays a spy for Sylvania, tries to fool Firefly into believing that Firefly is looking at his reflection in a glass mirror when something rather different is actually taking place. The slapstick scenes with the peanut and lemonade vendors show amazing forethought and meticulous attention to the details of exactly how each actor must behave in order to make the scenes funny.

The cinematography remains solid throughout the picture. The characters are framed nicely within the screen; and Duck Soup is filmed beautifully in glorious black and white. The scenes in which Firefly presents himself to the wealthy aristocrats of Freedonia demonstrate excellent choreography as well.

Overall, this Marx Brothers picture remains one of their finest efforts. Oh sure, some gags work better than others, but I agree with people who write that this picture offers us an excellent introduction to the four Marx Brothers. This picture is also significant because it was the last time Zeppo joined his other brothers before the camera. The actors give convincing performances and you will laugh out loud all throughout the movie.

There will never be another comedy team as brilliant as The Marx Brothers were; and I highly recommend this film for fans of the Marx Brothers. People who enjoy slapstick screwball comedies from the years of early Hollywood will also love this film. Excellent!

"All God's Chillun Got Guns".......2007-02-02

The We're Going to War-Gilbert & Sullivan-Broadway Scene,is pure Surreal zany Genius(Thank you Harry Ruby & Mr Mccarey).Oh Yes & the Mirror scene.Laughs O'plenty that could cure cancer.

"I'll see my lawyer about this as soon as he graduates from law school." .......2006-12-31

Rufus T. Firefly: And now, members of the cabinet we'll take up old business.
Cabinet Member: I wish to discuss the tariff.
Rufus T. Firefly: Sit down, that's new business. No old business? Very well we'll take up new business.
Cabinet Member: Now, about that tariff . . .
Rufus T. Firefly: Too late, that's old business already. Sit down.

The Marx Brothers are their usual zany selves in Leo McCarey's "Duck Soup." Be sure to fasten your seat belts before taking in this film for the gags and jokes will not slow down for any viewer.

The leaders of Freedonia approach the wealthy Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) to ask her if she would be open to the idea of donating twenty million dollars to the financially-troubled country. She agrees on the condition that Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) be appointed the new leader of Freedonia. He gets the job and quickly makes a mess of things. Thanks to Firefly's insulting behavior, war has broken out with neighboring Sylvania.

"Duck Soup" is Marx Brothers comedy at its finest. The satire is sharp, the physical comedy is perfectly timed, and the quips come fast and furious. Groucho is hilarious as the reckless and incompetent leader of Freedonia and Harpo Marx and Chico Marx are terrific as a pair of bumbling spies. The supporting cast is filled with good sports with Dumont, Louis Calhern, and Edgar Kennedy turning in some great work as the victims of the Brothers' humor. Decision-making at the highest levels of government oftentimes have an absurd aspect to them and watching "Duck Soup" makes you seriously wonder whether events in the real world have been shaped in the same manner as the events in this film. Do not be surprised if your lunch hour is shortened by twenty minutes in the near future in order to help reduce your workday!

Hollywood wishes he could make a film like this today...........2006-10-13

Despite the fact that this film is over 70 years old, it is still absolutely hilarious, and one of the greatest comedies ever made. Its pointed satire on war, idiotic government, and idiotic people is still potent, and probably always will be. It is only 70 minutes long, but it has more laughs than 10 modern comedies combined. There are no gross out gags, no idiotic sex jokes, no swearing, no illiterate, oversexed teenagers, just brilliant comedy. Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and even Zeppo rule!

Dialog Highlights This Marx Bros. Gem.......2006-04-30

Well, here we are with another wild and hilarious Marx Brothers farce, this time with Groucho taking over a small country and winding up in war with a neighboring one.

There really isn't much of a story but with the Marx Brothers that doesn't matter. Many times their movies were vehicles for their vaudeville acts of funny lines, slapstick gags and musical talent.

Two differences in this film than most others from the boys: 1 - Zeppo has a number of lines. Usually, he's the almost-forgotten brother in this foursome, either with little to say or not even in the film. 2 - Harpo doesn't play the harp, but he gets in on his share of the gags, which are always dominated by Groucho and Chico (my personal favorite).

Fantastic dialog makes this version one of the best of them all. There are just tons of funny (and, yes, very dated) lines in this movie and having Duck Soup out on DVD making the sound clearer helps, too. Lots of laughs

Average customer rating:

George Shrinks - Coach Shrinks

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

George Shrinks - Toy George
George Shrinks - Zoopercar Caper (Vol. 1)
Geroge Shrinks - George vs Space Invaders/Close Encounters of The Bird Kind
George Shrinks - Ghost Grabber Machine
George Shrinks - Sunken Treasures (Vol. 2)

ASIN: B000F4746O

Product Description

Coach Shrinks: Becky's hockey team is having a lousy year. Not only have they not won a single game; they havn't scored a single goal. George can't believe they're so bad. After all Becky is a great hockey player. At Becky's urging, George takes over coaching the team and leads them to achieve the ultimate goal - scoring one - in the last second of the last game of the season. In the Duck Soup: When Junior's favorite toy duck goes on the blink, the Shrinks take to the local toy stores to get it replaced or repaired. While there, George and Junior inadvertently activate some defective toy robots who are bent on tearing the stuffing out of Junior's duck. George has to use all his wits - and just about every toy in the store - to save his little brother's precious stuffed animal. The Lost World of George Shrinks: George and Ellen are taking care of TING-TING, Ellen's brother's pet Anole, when the little lizard escapes. The kids track the slippery reptile to an amazing plateau filled with exotic lizards of every kind. This "Lost World" turns out to be the reptile house at the local zoo. George and Ellen finally recover the lost lizard and learn a little something about following instructions.

The Marx Brothers Box: Animal Crackers/ Duck Soup/Horse Feathers

Average customer rating:

Must Have Classics For Any Marx Fan!
Captain Spaulding Saves the Day!!!
DO NOT BUY!
The Marx Brothers Strike Back
A must for true Marx Brothers Fans

The Marx Brothers Box: Animal Crackers/ Duck Soup/Horse Feathers
Starring: Groucho Marx , Harpo Marx , Chico Marx , Zeppo Marx , and Lillian Roth
Director: Victor Heerman , Leo McCarey , and Norman Z. McLeod
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

A Night at the Opera
The Marx Brothers Collection (A Night at The Opera/A Day at The Races/A Night in Casablanca/Room Service/At the Circus/Go West/The Big Store)
Laurel & Hardy (Sons of the Desert/The Music Box/Another Fine Mess/Busy Bodies/County Hospital)

ASIN: B00001O2GJ
Release Date: 1999-10-12

Description

Animal Crackers (1930, 97 min.) - In their second film, those madcap masters of mayhem, the Marx Brothers, are at it again in a zany laughfest. When a valuable painting turns up missing at a party, the Marx boys are right in the middle of it all, gumming up the works at every turn. As pseudo-adventurer Captain Spaulding, Groucho shoots an elephant in his pajamas and sings his classic song "Hooray for Captain Spaulding." "Horse Feathers" (1932, 67 min.) - The quintessential Marx Brothers comedy. The four brothers are at their manic peak in this uproariously anarchic parody of college life, including the funniest football game in the history of film. Also starring the luminescent Thelma Todd. And remember, the secret password is "swordfish." "Duck Soup" (1933, 68 min.) - The Marx Brothers are at their hilarious best in this insanely political satire. Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo too set international relations on its ear--and puts the audience in stitches--with their rapid-fire wit and comedic hijinks. English:Mono.

Customer Reviews:

Must Have Classics For Any Marx Fan!.......2006-02-19

I absolutely love my set, contrary to other reviews i've read on here, the quality is great, sound quality is great, and overall i am extremely satisfied with the price as these are hard to find on DVD. This is a must-have for any Marx Brothers Fan!

Captain Spaulding Saves the Day!!!.......2003-11-06

I was lucky enough to get these DVDs during the monkey business stating that these films were being re-released. And the price went down from $700 to $200-$300. Still pretty expensive, but well worth it for any true Marx Brother's fan. They're only being released in the non-USA (PAL) version. And I think many (including myself) were confused by the new 5 DVD set that's coming out in Nov. I was hoping that this set would include 5 of their movies, but it's just a documentary type film (one that I'm eager to see). To sum this all up, I give this DVD set 10 stars....5 more than the amazon rating system allows.

DO NOT BUY!.......2003-10-15

As usual, you have some people trying to rip you off here, charging $305 for 3 DVDs. And they probably call themselves fans of American comedy. Ha!

There's a 5 DVD "Marx Bros Collection" coming out in November 03, and the price will be about $25. So preorder it, and spend the other $280 on your kids!

The Marx Brothers Strike Back.......2002-07-19

Groucho and his brothers serve up yet another couple of classics. Animal Crackers is a terrific movie, but Duck Soup will always be my favorite of the two. Each of the Marxes has their own unique style and personality on the silver screen, and they all blend together for a wholly entertaining mix. If you want slapstick, you'd better stick to the The Three Stooges. However, I highly recommend these videos to anyone who enjoys wordplay and intelligent comedy.

A must for true Marx Brothers Fans.......2001-11-17

This is a high quality copy of three Max Brothers classics. A Night at the Opera, and A Day at the Races would have properly complete the collection but they were from a different studio. At the time of my purchase neither was available on DVD. These are great movies for the hollidays for those people who are tired of Christmas Story or It a wonderful life.

Average customer rating:

A Comic Masterpiece

Duck Soup [Chico Marx and Zeppo Marx]
Starring: Groucho Marx
Director: Leo McCarey
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

A Night at the Opera
A Day at the Races
The Gold Rush (2 Disc Special Edition)
City Lights (2 Disc Special Edition)
Modern Times (2 Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B000EWJP64

Product Description

DUCK SOUP captures some of the Marx Brothers zaniest routines and funniest quips, creating a laugh-out-loud spectacle of politics gone haywire. Backed by wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale (regular Marx straightwoman Margaret Dumont), Groucho becomes the leader of Freedonia, quickly frustrating his cabinet and offending the aggressive neighboring country to the point of war. Chico and Harpo, sent by the rival country, spy on Groucho and try to steal his battle plans, but when war does come, loyalties become muddled all around.

Customer Reviews:

A Comic Masterpiece.......2007-01-09

What can I say? This is one of the funniest movies ever made and I believe the Marx Brothers finest movies. Each routine is silly and the Freedonia anthem is just memorable.

[8 Classic Comedy Movies on 4 DVDs] The Eagle / Kangaroo / The Last Time I Saw Paris / The Rage of Paris / Gigolettes of Paris / Father's Little Dividend / Room Service / At The Circus

Average customer rating:

[8 Classic Comedy Movies on 4 DVDs] The Eagle / Kangaroo / The Last Time I Saw Paris / The Rage of Paris / Gigolettes of Paris / Father's Little Dividend / Room Service / At The Circus

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

THE EAGLE (Rudolph Valentino) / KANGAROO (Peter Lawford)
THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (Elizabeth Taylor) / THE RAGE OF PARIS (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.)
GIGOLETTES OF PARIS (Natalie Moorhead) / FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND (Elizabeth Taylor)
ROOM SERVICE (Marx Bros., Lucille Ball, Ann Miller) / AT THE CIRCUS (Marx Bros., Kenny Baker)
Digitally Remastered For Superior Picture & Sound Quality

ASIN: B000H56MU0

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Too Short: Life is - The Life and Times of Todd Shaw

Jungle Book : DVD

Hurricane/The Chamber [2 Discs] [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: The Thief

The Music Teacher