Hail, Freedonia!!

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2003)

DUCK SOUP (1933) **** Arguably the greatest Marx Brothers film (yes even with Zeppo!) and the most consistently funny tailor-made to each sibling's talents with Groucho in his image-defining role as Rufus T. Firefly, the reluctant yet razor-tongued leader of mythical Freedonia leading his nation to war with Chico and Harpo lending a hand as literally hired help in propoganda. Best bits include the trial banter between Groucho and Chico and the climactic bunker sequence culminating in fruiting long-tormented straight woman Margaret Dumont. One for the film vaults: the three way mirror sequence with a trio of Grouchos. A true classic in every sense of the word.