Duck Soup
From Wikiquote
Duck Soup is a 1933 film about Rufus T. Firefly, who is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia on the insistence of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale and declares war on neighboring Sylvania.
- Directed by Leo McCarey and written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby.
Contents |
[edit] Rufus T. Firefly
- I could dance with you till the cows come home. On second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows till you came home.
- Clear? Huh! Why a four-year-old child could understand this report. Run out and find me a four-year-old child. I can't make head or tail out of it.
- Don't look now, but there's one man too many in this room, and I think it's you.
[edit] Dialogue
- Mrs. Teasdale: As chairwoman of the reception committee, I welcome you with open arms.
- Firefly: Is that so? How late do you stay open?
- Mrs. Teasdale: I've sponsored your appointment because I feel you are the most able statesman in all Freedonia.
- Firefly: Well, that covers a lot of ground. Say, you cover a lot of ground yourself. You'd better beat it. I hear they're gonna tear you down and put up an office building where you're standing. You can leave in a taxi. If you can't get a taxi, you can leave in a huff. If that's too soon, you can leave in a minute and a huff. You know, you haven't stopped talking since I came here. You must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle.
- Firefly: Not that I care, but where is your husband?
- Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead.
- Firefly: I'll bet he's just using that as an excuse.
- Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end.
- Firefly: Hmmph. No wonder he passed away.
- Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him.
- Firefly: Oh, I see. Then, it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.
- Mrs. Teasdale: He left me his entire fortune.
- Firefly: Is that so? Can't you see what I'm trying to tell you? I love you! [jumps into her arms]
- Mrs. Teasdale: Oh, your Excellency!
- Firefly: You're not so bad yourself.
- Mrs. Teasdale: The eyes of the world are upon you. Notables from every country are gathered here in your honor. This is a gala day for you.
- Firefly: Well, a gal a day is enough for me. I don't think I could handle any more.
[edit] Cast
- Groucho Marx - Rufus T. Firefly
- Harpo Marx - Pinky (pink wig appeared blonde in black-and-white film)
- Chico Marx - Chicolini
- Zeppo Marx - Lt. Bob Roland
- Margaret Dumont - Mrs. Gloria Teasdale
- Raquel Torres - Vera Marcal
- Louis Calhern - Ambassador Trentino of Sylvania
- Edmund Breese - Zander
- Leonid Kinskey - Sylvanian Agitator
- Charles Middleton - Prosecutor
- Edgar Kennedy - Lemonade Vendor
[edit] Usage in Slang
- A term for something easily accomplished, equivalent to "a piece of cake."
[edit] External links
- Duck Soup quotes at the Internet Movie Database
- Duck Soup at Rotten Tomatoes
- Duck Soup at filmsite.org
