Posted on 10/08/2008 10:35:24 PM PDT by garjog
All this hilarity is strung up on a plot at once too complicated and too silly to have any independent meaning. Duck Soup can be read as an indictment of the insanity of war and a critique of the relationship between wealth and political power, but to do so is to miss much of the fun. The movie was banned in fascist Italy because it seemed to be a statement against dictatorship. But it makes fun of the entire range of political arrangements and patriotic icons. Mussolini just didn't get it.
"The last man nearly ruined this place, he didn't know what to do with it. If you think this country's bad off now, just wait till I get through with it.
The country's taxes must be fixed and I know what to do with it. If you think you're paying too much now, just wait till I'm through with it.
I will not stand for anything crooked or unfair. I'm strictly on the up and up so everyone beware. If anyone's caught taking graft and I don't get my share, we will stand them up against the wall and pop goes the weasel."
Duck Soup: These are the laws of my administration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWaOI2sHsY
One of the funniest movies ever made.
They cleverly took their old vaudeville skits and built movies around them using the same basic plot. Very economical moviemaking.
I agree wholeheartedly. The first time I ever saw this movie, I was quite literally in physical pain with my abs hurting from laughing too hard.
The zaniness is transcendental. Note that we tend to be on Groucho's side ( as Rufus ) as with any lovable rogue. So, when he merrily exclaims "This means war!" the message is thoroughly ambiguous. I have always felt the ending battle scene to be emotionally perplexing. The very horrors of war themselves are reduced to harmless nonsense, so I see it as an expression of yearning. The movie creates a world where we can be our foolish selves without truly suffering.
One BIG difference though: Groucho flatly stood up and made a schmuck out of his foes. 0bama would have ‘dialogue’... With no pre-conditions!
“So! Refuse to shake MY hand, huh?” ~wwwhhaaaap!
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