1933: Duck Soup - How Satire Works

[@jonothanthrace1530]

I've only ever heard one explanation of Duck Soup, which is that it was a joke Groucho made about being so poor that he'd make soup out of absolutely awful ingredients, with the result being that it would make him "duck (avoid) soup" for a while.

[@carlozabbia1157]

"Don't forget; you're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did."

[@chips1a]

That is one of the greatest lines from a movie ever. My sense of humor is stolen from Groucho Marx. Even before I was aware of Marx Brothers.

[@corbinmarkey466]

I have regularly maintained that Duck Soup is the greatest political satire film ever made

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

You haven't been the only one.

[@clubmogambo3214]

And not to mention it was the Marx Bros greatest film they ever made.

[@mdaddy775]

The rapid-fire witty dialogue you see in Aaron Sorkin movies and shows like "Frasier" - The Marx Brothers were doing it in the 1930s!

[@JoeMama-dy6op]

Don't know own what you're talking about with Sorkin. All he does is bitch about conservatives in contrived interactions with lots of monologs.

[@silyknow]

Duck Soup is one of my favorite films of all time, the scene where Chico and Harpo fight with the Lemonade seller sends me every time

[@johngulino2651]

Duck Soup has a country called Freedonia. And in New York State, there is a town or city or village-whatever, called Fredonia. ❤️

[@francescomanzo3939]

The Marx Brothers also heavily inspired the Looney Tunes in later years, and even the Animaniacs several decades after, which just proves that good comedy never dies.

[@HBarnill]

Also The Muppets and Monty Python!

[@MarvinFalz]

And the character of Jacob Spaulding, the African Explorer, though the execution of that character falls very flat. And the two Queen albums "A Night of the Opera" and "A Day at the Races." And Otto Waalkes.

[@rufust.firefly2474]

@@MarvinFalz your comment is entirely random and out of place. Besides the fact the queen obviously use the titles of the two marks films for to Albans as some sort of a tribute oh, there is no connection absolutely none between them. And saying that Captain Jeffrey ( not Jacob) T. Spaulding "falls flat" shows a total lack of understanding of the character and Groucho's performance

[@MarvinFalz]

@@rufust.firefly2474 Jacob Spaulding, the African Explorer is a character in Red Letter Media's Gorilla Interrupted, played by Garett Gilchrist. Jacob Spaulding looks like Jeffrey Spaulding, but their character traits are different from each other. Garrett Gilchrist played Jacob Spaulding mostly as wacky, which is the reason why his performance falls flat. His performance gets better though around the middle of the movie. I hope this explanation shows that my comment wasn't random and out of place at all.

[@bar-1studios]

The Anvilania episode was partial remake of Duck Soup.

[@bowserbreaker2515]

Duck Soup is a comedic masterpiece. It was just pure genius. So were all their Paramount movies.

[@christopherpalermo7567]

Groucho was one of my first heroes as a child. I would grab a butter knife from the kitchen then work the screws on the back of our B&W TV to transfer the antennae from VHF (which gave access to the four wretched network channels) over to UHF (which encompassed the more regional faire, that included the Marx Brothers, Chaplin, and Keaton at certain hours). The reception was abominable, the prints ancient, close to unwatchable, but I was infected by these performers, and still am. I'm turning 57 this year and seriously considering getting my first tattoo... Groucho on my forearm.

[@canaisyoung3601]

Ah, yes. The days of UHF and VHF. I don't miss those days at all and anyone who does either hasn't lived through them or have serious mental problems.

[@skyeslaton3435]

It's crazy that their movies were made at that time

[@michaelxpettis]

The real estate scandal of the 1920s was in Florida (famously, Florida swamp land), not in California, and Cocoanuts takes place in Florida.

[@freddyrichards878]

And the movie was filmed at the east side, in New York

[@zachsplep]

And Freedonia starts with an "F" like Florida.

[@Useaname]

And it ends in an a, like Florida

[@JimmyDThing]

One of the amazing benefits of your series is actually seeing real world examples of human history repeating itself, including the creative people being able to see clearly what was actually happening.

[@howtubeable]

History is repeating itself, but this is not a repeat of the 1930's. Our era is more like the Puritan Commonwealth in 17th Century England. The Puritans (who were radical progressives...Royalists were the conservatives) ruled England with a iron fist for 11 years, censoring ideas contrary to their dogma. In our own time, leftist narratives have taken over academics, politics and the media. People are punished for making politically-incorrect statements. We're breaking free from tyranny, not embracing it.

[@barneynedward]

@@howtubeable both the Puritans and the Church of England were extremely conservative. Most of the more liberal minds jumped ship and joined up with Roger Williams after he was exiled from the Commonwealth for his beliefs in religious tolerance toward those who are different from the colonists and founded what is today of the state of Rhode island.

[@JoeMama-dy6op]

Creative people being able to see what's happening? If this country was run per the preferences of the Hollywood "creative people", it would be indistinguishable from Mao's China or Stalin's Russia.

[@michaelgoldberg7127]

The GREATEST comedy team EVER!!!! They did it the hard way-with the spoken word. Very little slapstick and props to make you laugh. Groucho is the GREATEST comedian EVER!!!! SO quick on his feet. He sucks you in with laughter, and when you're done laughing, you've already missed 2 more jokes!! He preferred to be remembered as a great writer before being a great Comedian.

[@tremorsfan]

My Favorite line from Horse Feathers: "we have a dormitory and a football stadium yes? Well we can't afford both we'll start tearing down the dormitory first thing in the morning".

[@rufust.firefly2474]

No, it's " tomorrow we start tearing down the college. "" But Professor, where will the students sleep? "" where they always sleep in the classroom. "

[@damienflinter4585]

Great to see Swift's Modest Proposal getting due recognition.

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

The "handshake" scene in Duck Soup is comedy gold

[@AQuietNight]

Cocoanuts was about the Florida land boom of the 1920's. Swamp land never brought in a better price. As one might ask: Why a duck?

[@daniexists6]

I dunno, why-a no chicken?

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Remember, you're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did.

[@davidmouser596]

Regarding their stage period your forgetting Gummo the fifth Marx brother who left the act before they entered the film business.

[@RickTBL]

Thanks for the explanation of the title. Interesting to know that, at the time, it didn't need an explanation. Old slang is the cat's meow. Love it when Chico plays the piano, he's very good. And Harpo, in the middle of wacky comedy, suddenly heartbreakingly beautiful music on the harp, plays. He takes us far away, for a moment of magic, then we are back. Then there's Groucho, I think he's the funniest person who ever lived. Just the idea of "Groucho" is hilarious. He can just stand there looking at you, and it's hysterical.

[@bobbell1922]

His definition of 'duck soup" is wrong - it means something easy to do (like "piece of cake") not someone who is gullible.

[@rufust.firefly2474]

You're completely right, Bob."duck-soup" refers to something that is absurdly easy.

[@yohannbiimu]

There's typically not much to say about Zeppo, besides what Groucho has said about him. He said that Zeppo was actually the funniest of the brothers and even stood in for him in some of their routines. In the movie The Cocoanuts, it is said that he played "Groucho" in one of the scenes when the lights were turned off, and Zeppo mimicks Groucho's vocal mannerisms. I kind of miss him in their later films.

[@TheMonyarm]

Alright, this weekend i'm marathoning as many of the marx brothers films as i can.

[@SamDavies94]

An excellent examination of one of the best early comedies. Subscribed!

[@muchomacho2504]

Best. Analysis. Ever.

[@bensas42]

The pace of this film blew me away, I had never seen a movie by the Marx brothers. So many jokes spat out so quickly, nonstop, my 2024 brain had a hard time keeping up; I'm mind blown at the fact that it came out almost a hundred years ago. Great video on the film, by the way, I love this channel!!

[@lisathuban8969]

The Cocoanuts was actually satirizing the Florida land boom, not a California land boom. Lots of swampland in Florida was sold in the 1920's, which turned out to be almost worthless. The play is also set in Florida.

[@ITILII]

When people talk about the Marx Brother, the word is not Anarchy (which means no rulers....not no rules) The 9 words that should be applied to The Marx Brothers: The greatest team of comedic geniuses of all time !!!!

[@zam6877]

The real sadness is how revelant the is today

[@notmartin-v2k]

This was a wonderful video, very well done. I can't wait to watch Duck Soup now!

[@EdwardTravels]

The Marx Brothers are great. I’m so glad their movies have been restored and can be viewed as they appeared when they came out

[@garymathis1042]

Vaudville produced some of the greatest talents the world has ever seen.

[@christopherlawley1842]

Dang. I've never thought the Marx films were satire before It all makes sense now.

[@videoplusdvd]

In case you’ve forgotten, it’s not “Cheek-o”...it’s “Chick-o”. The nickname “Chico” came about as Leonard (real name) was a “chicken chaser” (womanizer).

[@charleybarley939]

One gag that is frequently lost on critics (including this one) is that Firefly is a dictator because he's always dictating letters to Zeppo. I'm not sure whether that's satire or pure corn...😄

[@bensas42]

Holy shit hahahahaha that's amazing

[@harpo103]

Coconuts was about Florida real estate, not California.

[@thiccboss4780]

Extraordinary Job Charlie! can't believe this turned out better than i already hoped for , i was aiming for a 109 but i think you went overboard with a 125, specially in the writing , i really liked it. Have to point out your courage in making a analogy about mockery with snl, but also including literature and Mel Brooks! that's always nice to think about, parody and deconstruction aren't the same kind of ridicule and you explained this in the video flawlessly, be proud boyo. also the stick figures section seemed to go on for awhile but clearly there wouldn't be an accurate visual representation of their life in the theater, so i think you made do very well with what you had, specially if it was *you* who made those cute animations,congrats to that too. For lazier viewers i think 7:15 until 7:34 will be criticized for being inaudible, but clearly you say "From it's military dress, to its grand hall, to its national anthem,the country's european value, uses critique of the absurdity in american politics, does't cut too close to the bone, duck soup came out in 1933, the same year hitler was elected chancellor in germany" so no big worries about correcting that part of the video, lazy people will be lazy, they'll watch something only once in their life,barely paying attention, drop a dislike and run away with it without even remembering it 2 hours later, that's a morbid inevitability of having an audience, but so far so good, and you found a specific audience that enjoys your content the way it is. *applause* _See Ya Next Video_

[@thiccboss4780]

a minor misconception

[@daddydeanw5719]

I'm gonna guess the next one will be "It Happened One Night."

[@michaelkaminski8339]

Great film.

[@thiccboss4780]

_Damn , this particular episode has aged well !_

[@alg11297]

The Coconuts was about land speculation in Florida not California. Jeez

[@cards0486]

If you have to explain satire and why these four geniuses were perfect It’s already too late.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Wow! Such a thoughtful and impressive video. No use arguing politics here. Thank you for showing us what a great movie Duck Soup is. It's truth is so deep it should be watched by everyone forever. Humor with thought and purpose, what a concept. Thanks again.

[@MSOYosemiteOrchestra]

Nice work, but just a few little errors that need correcting: 1) It's pronounced "Chick-o" and not "Cheek-o." Leonard received that name due to his "chicken" (chick)-chasing. 2) The brothers as a team released 13, not 14 feature films. 3) The Cocoanuts is concerned with the Florida land boom (not California.) And I do have to say, and with complete respect: there's more than a bit of over-analysis at play here. As someone who has had both a personal and scholarly relationship with the Marx families for nearly a half-century, and who was honored to actually know Groucho himself, the brothers and their writers (some of whom I was also fortunate to know) weren't seeking out specific parallels in their contemporary political world. Their bottom line was always: "what will be the funniest thing we can do?" - and not "how can we satirize Hitler, or make some sort of social commentary?" They also believed - profoundly: that analyzing comedy was the best way to kill it. Duck Soup is an extension of nothing so much as their developed characterizations via 20 years of vaudeville - Zeppo's role is NOT as some sort of Everyman, but rather as the necessary straight man component the three comedian brothers required when Gummo left the act in 1918 (and Zeppo was, by all accounts: actually the funniest of the brothers offstage - and didn't relish his role in the films, which is why he left at the conclusion of the Paramount contract.) Duck Soup owes (perhaps) more to Paramount's previous-year "Million Dollar Legs" than to Hitler's ascension to the German Chancellory (a film which coincidentally starred Harpo's future wife and my late friend Susan Fleming.) Leo McCarey may have pointed the direction of the satire a bit, but it was not the intention of the Marxes to make a message film about the rise of fascism in Europe. It's always possible to read far more into history - and particularly historic comedy - than was the intention at the time. Whereas Chaplin would LATER deliberately parodize Hitler, the Marxes weren't offering commentary on the situation in Europe at the time of Duck Soup. They were just seizing a situation which had comedic promise, and running with it.

[@danfrioli813]

They released 13 films, but produced 14. "Humor Risk" never saw the light of day.

[@liquidsnake8338]

"We were just 4 jews trying to get a laugh" Grouch Marx

[@SmithMrCorona]

The man has a northern accent, so to him and millions of others in England, it’s pronounced cheek-o.

[@melissacooper4282]

Even I had pronounced it Cheek-o at one point not knowing it was supposed to be Chick-o.

[@Bonapartist07]

3) "Cocoanuts" addresses the Florida land boom of the 1920s.

[@AnthonySmith-ty7ij]

My choices for 1934 would be either It Happened One Night, The Thin Man, or The Black Cat.

[@rufust.firefly2474]

How about "it's a gift" ? Or "sons of the desert" ?!

[@mariovaccarella6854]

The Very Best Of The Marx Brothers Films

[@sierrajuliet7759]

If not for marx brothers movies there would have been no model for the beatles 'Help.'

[@mangomosaics]

brilliant critique .. really enjoyed your perspective of satire and the Marx Brothers foreboding and prophetic times ahead. Well done !

[@melissacooper4282]

I've seen all The Marx Brothers movies hundreds of times. Duck Soup is considered one of their finest films to me. At the beginning of the movie Groucho's predecessor was incompetent as leader because he kept asking Mrs. Teasdale to loan money to Freedonia. She was right. If the President of Freedonia has to resort to asking a rich woman for money then it's time to impeach him! As for Groucho doing a better job at running the country? Your guess is as good as mine!

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Duck Soup literally IS how satire works. It's a veritable clinic on it.

[@hopefulhyena3400]

Groucho Marx + Clark Gable = Bugs Bunny

[@tonym994]

too funny. Groucho w/ a Thompson. how'd I forget that?

[@tonym994]

I remember on the DICK CAVETT show, Groucho did commentary about the mirror scene ,talking about Leo McCarey.

[@stellahaddon6078]

Really interesting. Thanks.

[@Iumwhat]

I have the original movies, I watch it on my old tv

[@RRaquello]

I've long wondered about the pretty strong resemblance between Groucho Marx and King Alexander of Yugoslavia. I guess it was just a coincidence, but from the sets & costumes, it's pretty clear that Fredonia was supposed to be a Balkan country (as was Klopstockia in WC Fields's similar movie from around the same time). The intricacies and intrigues of Balkan politics invited satire when they weren't leading to World Wars. Alexander was assassinated the year after Duck Soup was made, but the causes behind the assassination went a lot deeper than any movie.

[@goatboy.6537]

Great work my man.

[@g.anthonybenjamin281]

3:49. Florida, not California, land boom

[@voronOsphere]

I love The Marx Brothers and "Duck Soup."

[@hopefulhyena3400]

My favorite brother was always Harpo

[@robertzverina7181]

Forever timely. For contemporaneous literary equivalent of Duck Soup, I recommend A Cool Million by Nathanael West...

[@thegamedudeguy]

Who knew this comedy was so serious?

[@fallspeed]

Cocoanuts is about the Florida property boom of the 1920s, not California.

[@ahmadkazemi8728]

should have been One hundred years of American cinema, America is where most the cinematic work took place.

[@billwheeler3687]

This is an excellent rundown of the movie and the sick reality behind it. I majored in political science in college. I guess that entitles me to talk about current events like I know what I'm saying better than anyone else in the room, even when that may not be the case. I first voted in 1972, and, like many young men during the Vietnam era, I voted for McGovern over Nixon; Nixon won, but we who opposed him got our revenge when the facts about the Watergate burglary came to light and Nixon was forced from office in disgrace. Since then, I came to the conclusion that American presidents of either party during my adult lifetime have been a pretty sorry lot. Recent US history provides a rich environment for political satire. Where are the Marx brothers when we really need them?

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Thank You Charlie, your analysis has killed all the fun I used to have when I watched that movie. Just kidding !!!!

[@snelgrave101]

The film wasn't well received at the time, but has since been named as their magnum opus, Mussolini was incensed when he saw (something that made the brothers extatic) i think everyone should watch ALL the marx brothers films, but pay particular attention to duck soup, look at ambassador Trentino, he seems to want war no matter what although comes across as if he's trying to avert it - groucho on the other hand is up front about his war - trentino even hires spies to get info on his opponent so he can use it as a precursor to war, not only a brilliant satire but still so hilarious.

[@mrjakeisnumber1]

The font used is "Breamcatcher" if you wanted to know

[@onehundredyearsofcinema]

shhhh! That's a secret! Just kidding, I got it from "Dafont" if anyone likes it, I think its by a group called Typodermic fonts.

[@DJCountdown661]

Cool!

[@Horzuhammer]

I've been searching for something to watch from the Marx brothers. Never seen any of their films, and this looks like a fine one to start with. Always had this weird prejudice against ancient comedies for some reason. I only got into silent comedy after I accidentally saw a Buster Keaton -short on tv (think it was _One Week._) Fell in love immediately, and went on to watch a lot more Keaton + Chaplin & Lloyd -films, but I'm still super inexperienced on early talkie comedies.

[@barneynedward]

The three stooges are an interesting case of live action cartoons.

[@caesarpizza1338]

You should watch diplomaniacs. It’s very similar to duck soup with its satire on the Geneva Conventions. And possibly double the absurdity. WC fields is great too. His movies like it’s a gift and bank dick are hilarious and can see that most modern took some inspiration from him

[@scod9746]

i disagree that satire and mockery are always so clearly distinct or defined, as sometimes like with 'Fight Club' or 'Starship Troopers' it serves as a broad exaggeration of an entire story, not just a few characters. but this is a good video about some basics and the Marx Brothers . good job.

[@Philosophy42DaysUth]

Did Gummo also perform with them in the Vaudeville days?

[@wcatholic1]

Another great political satire is "Dr. Strangelove".

[@TheNeonRabbit]

Chick-Oh not Cheek-oh It stems from him always chasing the chicks

[@bensweiss]

I always considered this a great anti-war film, thanks for the additional insight. Too bad this film has not been in resurgence.

[@davidhull1481]

You have succeeded in making the Marx Brothers dull. Congratulations.

[@CookingWithVinny22]

Leonard (Chico) Marx's name is pronounced "Chicko," not "Cheeko."

[@faheyplayer]

yes, and it’s a fair mistake. I think the audience started calling him by pronunciation as Chico early on, and there was no overt correcting of that. The spelling error that started all this did not help. Long live Chicko in our hearts and memories. I think it’s an amusing side note that, while all four brothers were after the ladies in the movies, no one was as committed to this pursuit in real life as…Chicko, which has been well attested over time. Chicko was an artist, a gambler and a philanderer, a brilliant negotiator on his feet, possessed of astonishing gaming skills related to his genius with numbers etc. Many who read this know that Chicko (Leonard) was the one who managed the act after about 1914, and negotiated a very aggressive contract in 1923-24 to produce their first hit on Broadway I’ll Say She Is”. Wouldn’t a movie of this be exquisite? I think it would play well in 2023, the year of my writing, in all its facets. Drama, comedy, punnery, satire, slapstick, indignity, anarchy with intellect. A smorgasbord of ideas, rife with story line possibilities…

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Oh he’s only a young fella doing the talkin

[@MIKELIN8]

The pronounciation of Chico's name is Chick-o, not Cheek-o. He was nicknamed this because he was the one brother who could talk to girls (or chicks) confidently.

[@Jazzmern]

13:28 Me: EXPELLED

[@hifijohn]

In other words a movie about modern-day America.

[@JoshMaxPower]

Sorry, but there are so many inaccuracies in this video that I had to shut it off. (SIGH)

[@bryanwiley1364]

Florida land development not California - selling swampland...

[@oobrocks]

I feel bad for people that refuse to even try b & w films

[@timmroberts870]

whats next

[@yp3424]

Marx brothers were geniuses, predicting things "anticipando". (Ch. Chaplin's "The great dictator" came a bit later, 1940). Some ideas were surprisingly ahead of their time. Freedonia and the war reminds us a lot of today's "Putinlandia" and its oldfashioned, though lethal habits: first shelling, then discuss.

[@kirby28645]

He looks like a 1930s version of Borat, ngl

[@faheyplayer]

Correction: Cocoanuts was set in Florida during the 1920s land boom. NOT California.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

MY GOD! It could easily be a satire on the surreal presidency of Donald J Trump!

[@samsum3738]

That was 3 years ago , wait until 2020 and 2021 . You ain t seen nothing yet .

[@doncox1965]

Man have I be ben wrong all these years. I thought it was just great comedy.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

charlie: you are Gold. if you went to the University for your analisys: you had Great Teachers. i had a couple of good ones myself. the kinds that Trøn and rasPutin would have fired or jailed or .. ... ps anthropology, lit., psych, soc., languages... the usual suspects. as one of my Master Professors might have said: «Bien pensé» . i rarely got that.. : )

[@Beforethecredits]

Kinda late to release a video no?

[@onehundredyearsofcinema]

Late in the day? It's 11 am where I live.

[@Beforethecredits]

Yeah, I would suggest releasing on an EST time. It is 10PM here. I think if you were to release your episode about midnight 1AM your time you might get more initial views. That would be around lunch for the east coast in the US. Just a suggestion. :P

[@onehundredyearsofcinema]

I had never even thought of that! I get more views from America than all other countries combined. Thanks mate!

[@Beforethecredits]

No problem man. You have an awesome channel so I would love to see you succeed as much as possible.

[@Klaatusuit]

What’s the moody music in the background?

[@cynosurer54]

Spot on with the Baldwin note. Such a ripe venue for great satire and all he offers is unfunny mockery. Where's Hartman and Carvey when you need them.

[@barneynedward]

The only reason Alec Baldwin's Trump impression isn't funny is because the real thing consistently says things that are Even more idiotic.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

@@barneynedward ) exactly.

[@michaelkaminski8339]

Keep drinking that koolaide from the Communist News Network you trained seals

[@steamboatwill3.367]

@@michaelkaminski8339 ) is that what Faux News is telling you?

[@JASdeWJASdeW]

duck duck.................. easy.

[@stevet3602]

Vladimir Putin exactly

[@reflexionmedia]

Zelensky - after all, Groucho is grifting all the time, he provokes a war & is supremely unconcerned about casualties.

[@karlmahlmann]

Good points. Duck Soup was the greatest anti-war movie ever made. - And Alex Baldwin is the most unfunny comic ever to be on TV.

[@aguaweasel]

I think you are way over analyzing the film and other Marx's Brother films. Some of comedy scenes, were pure genius, and I wish you talked about them, (like the infamous Mirror scene with Groucho and Harpo) than the political overtones. One thing you missed, and it played a big part during Duck Soup, was the Great Depression. Combine with First World War, gave a very cynical view of the world. The Marx Brother films, especially Duck Soup, wasn't appreciated as a Great Comedy Film until years later.

[@thewkovacs316]

chico is not dimwitted....he is not formally educated and their satire is clearly modeled after gilbert and sullivan

[@ralphciardella9705]

Chick o

[@keithdanish7973]

It’s Chick-oh, not Chee-coh.

[@nicholassoland8025]

Duck soup means something easy, easy as duck soup because you just need ducks and water. Bad explanation here

[@johnnedward1083]

I think you think way too much.the movie is satire witt silliness.absurd word play .not a deep political statement.