DUCK SOUP
US, 1933, 69 minutes, Black-and-white.
Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont, Louis Calhern.
Directed by Leo McCarey.
A very early Marx Brothers film, many critics considering at their best. However, they were then to sign a contract with MGM and star in a series of very popular entertainments, A Night at the Operator, A Day at the Races, Go West, The Big Store.
The Marx Brothers were celebrated for their onstage comedy, a range of routines, Groucho, moustache and glasses, sloping walk, eyebrow raising, quips. And, Harpo, not speaking, mugging away, playing the harp when possible. Chico had his Italian accent and verbal mixups as well as his piano playing. Zeppo was the straight man and moved from films to business.
And, in seven films, the leading lady was the celebrated Margaret Dumont, tall, haughty, aristocratic, the butt of Groucho Marx’s jokes, but her continued devotion to his characters.
The screenplay, written by songwriters Harry Ruby and BertKalmar (as well as some songs here) takes up the popular theme of a European kingdom (think a 1930s style Prisoner of Zenda situation). The sets are quite something, re-creating the atmosphere of a European Castle and its interiors. And there is the pomp and circumstance of royalty, ambassadors, courts and judgements, political proceedings.
But, this is only a context for the comedy routines and performances with the Marx Brothers fulfilling all the above descriptions. They had already made Coconuts, Monkey Business, Animal Crackers so they had made the transition from stage to screen. In comparison with his other roles, Groucho is his usual self but a touch more subdued, on the edge of going full throttle. Harpo and Chico actually play two of the most inept spies and undercover agents you could find, Harpo finding a moment to play the strings on a grand piano.
Louis Calhern plays the insidious ambassador, terribly serious, the butt of a lot of the jokes, but going along with the proceedings.
Definitely for Marx Brothers fans but also a reminder of their early days.
