All the comedies in which the Marx Brothers appeared were extensions of their vaudeville days. In "Duck Soup", the visual gags that worked so well on the stage are incorporated into the film. Director Leo McCarey directed this zany movie in which the Marx Brothers do their best to entertain their public.

There are many interesting moments in the film, but the best sequence has to be the mirror scene in which Groucho, Harpo and Chico, dressed in the same costume are seen on either side of the looking glass following the other person's movements. The other asset in the film is the final conflict with Sylvania in which Groucho is seen dressed in many uniforms while leading the war against the enemy.

We had seen this film before, but took another look when it was shown on cable recently. The great Margaret Dumont is simply one of the best actresses that ever worked with the Marx Brothers in their comedies. She is amazing in playing the straight part against Groucho's antics. A young Louis Calhern cuts quite a figure as the Trentino, the Sylvanian ambassador to Freedonia. Raquel Torres is a nice addition to the film playing the exotic Vera Marcal.

The Marx Brothers do what they do best in "Duck Soup" guided by a director who knew what to do with them, Leo McCarey.

There, I've said it. Although I absolutely love A Night at the Opera as well too, Duck Soup is my personal favourite Marx Brothers comedy for several reasons. First of all, I love the humour in the Marx Brothers movies, their movies have a rough-around-the-edges sort of humour that I feel is very unique. Secondly, Zeppo is given something to do- normally Zeppo comes across as underused and bland, but while he is not the funniest here he has something worthwhile to do. Thirdly, there is no love story or musical interludes, I have nothing against them, as A Night at the Opera actually had both and they worked, but when it interferes too much like it does in some of the Marx Brothers later comedies it can lessen the film's appeal a bit.

Fourthly, I love the dialogue- the insults, the puns, the witty exchanges between Groucho and Margaret Dumont, they are now comedy classics, something you can quote this day and still laugh about it with your friends. Fifthly, the mirror sequence is absolutely brilliant, in fact it is one of my all-time favourite scenes in a Marx Brothers film, along with the shenanigans inside Groucho's cabin in A Night at the Opera. Why do I like this scene? Well, it is very clever and surreal in how it's placed and how it's choreographed, and it is timed beautifully. It is one of those scenes that is always imitated and very rarely/never equalled.

Sixthly, I love the skill of the direction, it is very playful and clever. Seventh, Duck Soup is beautifully filmed, the sets, costumes and cinematography are great. Eigth, the story is a good one, it doesn't feel contrived or creaky but it compliments the comedy well. Ninth, the score is wonderful, quirky and very pleasant on the ears. Finally, I love the performances, all the Marx Brothers play their parts brilliantly, Groucho coming off best, while Margaret Dumont is great as the stately matriarch. Overall, a truly wonderful film and a gem of a comedy. 10/10 Bethany Cox

When the Marx Brothers decided to leave Paramount, they did in the words of the old expression leave them laughing. In fact with Duck Soup, they left them rolling in the aisles.

Duck Soup is helmed by the greatest director the Brothers ever worked for in their film career, Leo McCarey. He guided this anti-war lampoon of Ruritanian pictures with a sure hand. It's the shortest film the brothers ever did, but there's hardly a minute in it without a gag or three.

I think that Leo McCarey had in mind a satire on the Merry Widow, where if you'll recall the plot has the richest widow in Marovia ready to leave the country bag and baggage for Paris. It's up to Count Danilo to woo her for the country. People have done worse for patriotic motives.

A silent version by Erich Von Stroheim was already made of The Merry Widow and next year Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier would do it for MGM. But here we have Freedonia's richest citizen, Margaret Dumont not willing to underwrite her little country unless she names its prime minister. And of course she names the man wooing her, Groucho Marx.

Of course that foils the plans of Louis Calhern, the ambassador from neighboring Sylvania. War eventually breaks out between the two countries over some absurdities you'll have to see to believe.

Harpo and Chico play a pair of hapless spies who change loyalties at the turn of a dime and seem to wind up doing more good for whoever they're working against at the moment. They even take time to have a battle with poor Edgar Kennedy. Note that scene in the bathtub with Edgar Kennedy and Harpo, it may be Harpo's best moment from their films.

This was Zeppo's last film, he did not make the journey to MGM with his three brothers. I'm not sure too many people noticed because his contribution seem mostly to act as a foil for Groucho's barbs. He became an agent and as a comic he was a good agent.

Duck Soup is only 68 minutes long, but you cannot believe how many laughs you can get in a picture that short.