Duck Soup (1933)
While perhaps deviating from the textbook definition of a musical, this Marx Brothers film is seen as the perfect satire about politics and war.
Duck Soup, which was banned in Italy by Mussolini, stars Groucho Marx as Rufus T Firefly, the ruler of the small country, Freedonia. The country is in ruins and Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is its benefactor and the object of Firefly's affections. When Ambassador Trentino, the leader of Sylvania, arrives and falls for Mrs Teasdale, Firefly declares war. He enlists the help of some tricky accomplices Chicolini (Chico) and his silent partner (Harpo).
Directed by Leo McCarey, the Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby screenplay integrated comic and hilarious song routines into the overall story. Others in the cast included Marx Brothers regular Margaret Dumont and Louis Calhern.
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