BP’s Top 100 Movie Challenge #75: Duck Soup, by Sarah Brinks

I decided to undertake a movie challenge in 2017. This seemed like a good way to see some classic movies that I have unfortunately never seen. The Battleship Pretension Top 100 list provided such a challenge.Duck Soup was my first Marx Brothers film and I think it will be my last. I like to try and find positive things about all the movies I watch for this challenge, so we’ll start there. I have to give the Marx Brothers credit for their ability to do physical comedy. There was a scene where Chico, Harpo, and a merchant keep swapping hats and it is quite skillful and funny. Probably the best scene in the film is when Groucho and Harpo are dressed identically and do a choreographed mirror scene. It is completely silent and a delightful several minute-long break in the film.I was also surprised that the film, in parts, was a musical. There were a few fun, well-choreographed numbers that I enjoyed. Besides that, it was sixty-eight minutes of Dad Jokes. I can understand how this type of humor would appeal to a certain audience but I found it tedious and not very funny. The fact that it was short was a relief but I don’t think I will seek out any more films by the Marx Brothers.I’ve decided to rate each film using an arbitrary scale based on the board game Battleship (lowest: Destroyer, Submarine, Cruiser, Battleship, highest: Carrier)
Duck Soup ranking: Destroyer