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News :: Arts |
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Sure, I'm A Marxist! My Review Of "Duck Soup" |
Current rating: 5 |
by babs
(No verified email address) |
29 Mar 2003
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"And remember while you're out there risking life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in here thinking what a sucker you are." -Grouch Marx, "Duck Soup" |
Having just watched the Marx Brothers comedy “Duck Soup,” I have to take a moment and rave about it. Watching a classic comedy on a Friday night is always a good idea, and “Duck Soup” is particularly timely. Everybody should see this movie. Not only is it the most highly acclaimed of the Marx Brothers films, it’s really, really funny. This movie shows their success in moving from stage to film; the comic timing is perfect, and there are no awkward dialogue pauses. Groucho, Chico, and Harpo are hysterical, while Margaret Dumont really stands out in her performance as Mrs. Gloria Teasdale.
According to various web sources, “Duck Soup” was not particularly well received when it was released; it’s satirical nature was deemed inappropriate for it’s subject matter. This apparently didn’t go over well during the Great Depression. It handles such subjects as war, international diplomacy, political boondoglery, and official incompetence with brilliant comedy and well-choreographed song and dance routines. Classic comedy routines abound in this film, including the mirror sequence between Harpo and Groucho. “Duck Soup” makes great family viewing for folks of all political stripes, and is best when watched with friends. So take those 68 minutes back from CNN, and do something good for yourself!
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Re: Hail, Hail Fredonia! |
by gehrig
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 3
29 Mar 2003
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I think it's (a) the funniest movie ever made, and (b) the best anti-war satire until _Dr. Strangelove._ There is a wonderful musical production number about war fever that I've been thinking about quite a bit recently. Not to mention a really terrific take on Paul Revere and on the famous painting "Spirit of '76."
About a decade ago, right after Newt's "Contract for America" put a buncha new fresh idiots into the House of Representatives, the satire magazine Spy called some of the freshmen to get their reaction to the current situation between Fredonia and Sylvania. Many representatives expressed their regrets and their desire for justice in the troubled Baltics. Only one recognized the allusion.
And Groucho's inaugural number could just as easily have been sung by Dubya:
"The last guy nearly ruined this place
He didn't know what to do with it
If you think this country's bad off now
Just wait 'til I get through with it."
Hail, Hail Fredonia, land of the brave and free!
@%< |
