History Film / DuckSoup

'''Trenitno:''' Was it... swine?

'''Trentino:''' ''[thinking, then with a broad smile]'' Oh, yes! -- UPSTART!

''Duck Soup'' was the Creator/MarxBrothers' fifth film and, for most fans, in tough competition with ''Film/ANightAtTheOpera'' as the best film they ever made. Directed by Creator/LeoMcCarey and released in 1933, it was also the brothers' final film for [[Creator/{{Paramount}} Paramount Pictures]]. It's also notable as one of the first films to openly mock the rising fascism in Europe.

* TheCaligula: What do you get when Groucho Marx becomes the uncontested leader of your country? You get a DeadpanSnarker who's late to his own inauguration (granted, not for lack of trying), fires and hires you at the drop of a hat, proclaims on his first day that he'll [[CulturePolice outlaw various leisurely activities]] ([[{{Hypocrite}} while doing half of them]]) and declares war over an insult. If he was anyone other than Groucho Marx, it would be terrifying.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/duck-soup_4140.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Freedonia: The nation that declares war with a musical number.]]

The story takes place in the vaguely European country of [[{{Ruritania}} Freedonia,]] which is nearly bankrupt due to national mismanagement. [[GrandeDame Wealthy dowager]] Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) agrees to loan the country $20 million, but only if Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) is appointed as its leader. Meanwhile, Ambassador Trentino (Louis Calhern) of the neighboring nation of Sylvania plots to take over Freedonia, sending his best spies Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx) to do his dirty work. But between Firefly's womanizing antics, Firefly's incompetent policies, and Firefly's wanton insults to the Ambassador, Freedonia is soon on the fast track to war with Sylvania. Naturally, HilarityEnsues throughout all of this.

* HilarityEnsues: It's ''the Marx Brothers''. You could make them fill out taxes and still get this.
-->'''Chico''': Hey, I got an uncle lives in Taxes!\\
'''Government Minister''': No, I'm talking about taxes. Money. Dollars.\\
'''Chico''': Dollars! That's where my uncle lives! Dollars, Taxes!

* PungeonMaster: Firefly is full of them, though Chicolini isn't far behind. See HilarityEnsues.

-->'''Trentino''': I'm sorry we lost our tempers. I'm willing to forget if you are.
-->'''Firefly''': Forget? You ask me to forget... Why, my ancestors would rise from their graves... and I'd only have to bury them again... A Firefly never forgets.
-->'''Trentino''': I am willing to apologize... I'm willing to do anything to prevent this war.
-->'''Firefly''': Nothing doing!! I've taken a lease on the battlefield. I'd lose my deposit, besides, I've already ordered the ammunition.
-->'''Vera''': Oh, Your Excellency, isn't there something I can do?
-->'''Firefly''': Yes, but I'll talk to you about that when we're alone.
-->'''Mrs. Teasdale''': Oh, won't you reconsider.
-->'''Firefly''': Well, maybe I am a little headstrong... But, you know, it's awfully hard to forget what he called me.
-->'''Trentino''': What I called you... Why, what did I call you?
-->'''Firefly''': I don't remember.
-->'''Trentino''': ''(With a little chuckle)'' Oh -- you mean... worm?
-->'''Firefly''': No, that wasn't it...
-->'''Trenitno''': Was it -- swine?
-->'''Firefly''': No... it was a seven letter word.
-->'''Trentino''': ''(Thinking, then with a broad smile)'' Oh yes! -- UPSTART!
-->'''Firefly''': That's it...
-->''Takes gloves from Trentino's breast pocket and [[GloveSlap socks him across the face]], and puts them in his own breast pocket. Trentino becomes apoplectic''
-->'''Trentino''': Why - er - Mrs. Teasdale - this is an outrage! This man is impossible... My course is clear... this means war!

* WholePlotReference: ''{{WesternAnimation/Animaniacs}}'' in one of their most popular episodes, ''King Yakko''.

%%* PrematureAggravation: Used to provide the page quote. %%(Not anymore)

* PrematureAggravation: Used to provide the page quote.

* ShooOutTheClowns: Firefly temporarily dismisses Chicolini as Secretary of War for the following pun:
-->'''Firefly''': Now that you're Secretary of War, what kind of an army do you think we ought to have?\\
'''Chicolini''': Well, I tell you what I think, I think we should have a standing army.\\
'''Firefly''': Why should we have a standing army?\\
'''Chicolini''': [[IncrediblyLamePun Because then we save money on chairs.]]