“Duck Soup” (1933) reportedly opened to lukewarm reviews upon release but is now widely considered by critics to be one of the greatest Marx Brothers films. The film’s plot revolves around Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) who, after being appointed the leader of Freedonia by wealthy heiress Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), must defend his country from neighboring Sylvania whose ambassador (and romantic rival) Trentino seeks to conquer Freedonia through espionage, destabilization and war. Duck Soup is an enduringly hilarious anti-war satire with classic scenes full of non-stop wordplay and physical gags that have been imitated or referenced countless times since.
After the Crash 