The Marx Brothers
Related: American cinema - surrealism in the cinema - comedy
Biography
Duck Soup (1933) - Leo McCarey
For those who love the Marx Brothers (Animal Crackers, A Night at the Opera), that this movie is side-slappingly funny is a given. For those new to the Marx Brothers, this is the perfect introduction to Groucho, Chico, and Harpo (and even Zeppo), three of the funniest men to ever grace the screen. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) is the dictator of the small nation Freedonia. The country is a disaster, in financial disrepair, and the wealthy Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) is its benefactor and the object of Firefly's shrewd affection. When the leader of the neighboring Sylvania decides he's in love with Mrs. Teasdale, Firefly declares war. The movie, from 1933, is tremendously satirical, a play on politics and war. (As Firefly says to a hapless young solider, "You're a brave man. Go and break through the lines. And remember, while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in be in here thinking what a sucker you are.") Full of witty lines, great sight gags, and even some snazzy song numbers ("Freedonia's Going to War" is the hilarious declaration of battle), this is surely one of the best--if not the best--the Marx Brothers have to offer --Jenny Brown for amazon.com
Groucho and Me () Groucho Marx
The funniest, most wildly entertaining thing I have ever read! Hefty, though very elegantly penned, it never "sounds" ghost-written one bit either. The pieces of folklore Groucho tells of will make 2001 America look like another planet altogether! But anyhow this book should be in every personal library (...or book case) and is indeed a pleasure to re-read as years go by. -- Gilbert Hétu for amazon.com