The Funniest Film Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2001)

I'm really not into "ranking" comedies as best, worst, whatever. But recently the AFI announced (in their narrow opinion), the top 100 comedies of all time.Incredibly, this 70-year-old movie made 5th place. Not incredible that it should rank so high-but incredible that it should rank so low! To me, this is truly the funniest film ever made. It doesn't have all the romantic-comedy qualities that are to be found in films like SOME LIKE IT HOT, TOOTSIE, ANNIE HALL (another favorite of mine), THE PHILDELPHIA STORY or BRINGING UP BABY. It was not made by a comedy autuer, like a Chaplin, Keaton, Allen, etc. However, it contains the greatest number of laughs ever put on film. I know I must have too much time on my hands, but I clocked at LEAST 2 jokes/gags per minute. That adds up to about 140 in this 70 minute picture. Today, movies are considered if they have about 2 good jokes the entire film! DUCK SOUP is just sheer, unpretentious comedy genius at its best. Groucho may truly be the funniest man who ever lived. "Remember, we're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did!"