Duck Soup poster

Duck Soup Quotes

"War is swell...when the Marx Brothers are in it. They'll be out of the trenches by Christmas...if the food doesn't improve!"

NR 1933 · 1h 8m
73
Audience
73
Audience
29 quotes
A Gala Day and Its Humor
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.
Humorous Exchange About Tracking Firefly
Trentino Have you been trailing Firefly?
Chicolini Have we been trailing Firefly? Why, my partner he's got a nose just like a bloodhound!
Trentino Oh really?
Chicolini Yes, and the rest of his face don't look so good either.
A Lesson in Unwanted Skills
Lemonade Vendor I'll teach you to kick me!
Chicolini You don't have to teach me—I know how!
[kicks him]
High Stakes and Treasonous Charges
Chicolini Hello, boss!
Firefly Chicolini, I bet you eight-to-one we find you guilty.
Chicolini At's-a no good; I can get ten-to-one at the barbershop.
Officer Chicolini, you're charged with high treason, and if found guilty, you will be shot.
Chicolini I object.
Officer Oh, you object? On what grounds?
[scoffs]
Chicolini I couldn't think of anything else to say.
Firefly Objection sustained.
[raps gavel]
Officer Your Excellency, you sustained the objection?!
Firefly Sure, I couldn't think of anything else to say, either. Why don't you object?
The Cost-Saving Argument for a Standing Army
Chicolini I think we should have a standing army.
Firefly Why should we have a standing army?
Chicolini Because that way we save money on chairs!
A Dog's Journey to the Pole
Chicolini He's some smart dog. You know, he went with ] to the Pole.
[[Richard E. Byrd|Admiral Byrd]
Firefly I'll bet the dog got to the pole first.
Changing Sides for Better Food
Firefly You're the Secretary of War. Why don't you do something?
Chicolini I've done it already. I've changed to the other side.
Firefly You're on the other side, eh? Then what are you doing over here?
Chicolini Well, the food is better over here.
Honor and Irony in Rufus T. Firefly's Words
Rufus T. Firefly Remember, you're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did.
Memorable Gags and Songs in Duck Soup
Taglines Gags the whole town will be telling! Songs that will burst your bathroom walls! BOY HOW THEY HAND IT OUT!
A Request for Headquarters, Not Hindquarters
Rufus T. Firefly Get me headquarters. Not hindquarters, headquarters!
[on a telephone]
The Paradox of Being Found and Lost
Vera Oh, for heaven's sake, don't make a sound. If you found, you lost.
Chicolini Oh, you crazy. How can I be lost if I'm found?
Marx Brothers' Humorous Take on War
Taglines War Is Swell ...when the Marx Brothers are in it. They'll be out of the trenches by Christmas...if the food doesn't improve.
Misunderstanding Terminology in a Humorous Exchange
Chicolini I wouldn't go out there unless I had one of those big iron things that go up and down. What do you call those things?
Firefly Tanks.
Chicolini You're welcome.
Perception vs. Reality of Intelligence
Rufus T. Firefly Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot. But don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.
Mad Marxes Serve Up Laughter in Duck Soup
Taglines Laughing Soup...concocted, brewed and dished up by the Mad Marxes...Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo.
Reception Committee Greetings and Humor
Mrs. Teasdale As chairwoman of the reception committee, I extend the good wishes of every man, woman and child of Freedonia.
Rufus T Firefly Never mind that stuff, take a card.
[Fans out a deck of playing cards]
Mrs. Teasdale Card? What do I do with the card?
[Picks one from the fan]
Firefly You can keep it. I got fifty one left! Now, what were you saying?
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.
A Hilarious Journey Through Chaos and Fun
Taglines A wild crazy nightmare of fun!
Prepare for Laughter and Absurdity
Taglines Bring Your Straight Jackets. You'll Roll In the Aisles.
Perception vs. Belief in Conflict
Mrs. Teasdale But I saw you with my own eyes!
Chicolini Well, who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?
[in disguise as Rufus T. Firefly]
Cabinet Meeting Highlights Miscommunication and Confusion
Treasury minister Your Excellency, here's the Treasury department's report. I hope you'll find it clear.
Firefly Clear?" Huh! Why, a four-year-old child could understand this report! (aside as he passes the report to Bob Roland) Run out and find me a four-year-old child; I can't make head or tail out of it. And now, members of the Cabinet, we'll take up old business.
Trade Minister I wish to discuss the tariff.
Firefly Sit down, that's new business. No old business? Very well, we'll take up new business.
[pause]
Trade Minister Now about the tariff-
Firefly Too late, that's old business already. Sit down.
Secretary of War Gentlemen, as your Secretary of war-
Firefly The Secretary of War is out of order! Which reminds me, so is the plumbing. Make a note of that. Never mind, I'll do it myself.
Labor Minister The Department of Labor wishes to report that the workers of Freedonia are demanding shorter hours.
Firefly Very well, then we'll give them shorter hours. We'll start by cutting their lunch hour to 20 minutes. (the Cabinet exchange startled looks) Now, gentlemen, we've got to start looking for a new Treasurer.
Labor Minister But you appointed one last week!
Firefly That's the one I'm looking for!
Secretary of War Gentlemen, gentlemen. Enough of this. How about taking up the tax?
Firefly How about taking up the carpet?
Secretary of War I still insist we take up the tax!
Firefly He's right—you've got to take up the tacks before you take up the carpet.
[to Bob Roland]
Secretary of War I give all my time and energy to my duties, and what do I get?
Firefly You get awfully tiresome after a while.
Secretary of War Sir, you try my patience.
Firefly I don't mind if I do. You must come over and try mine some time.
Secretary of War That's the last straw! I resign. I wash my hands of the whole business!
Firefly Good idea. You can wash your neck too.
The Art of Culinary Expression
Taglines The fanciest dish of screams—howls—beauty and music ever concocted.
An Unwelcome Presence in the Room
Rufus T. Firefly Don't look now, but there's one man too many in this room, and I think it's you.
Desire for Freedom and Distraction
Rufus T. Firefly Hey let me out! Let me out of here, or throw me a magazine!
[locked in a closet]
A Confusing Encounter Between Two Characters
Trentino Your Excellency, haven't we seen each other somewhere before?
Firefly I don't think so; I'm not sure I'm seeing you now, it must be something I ate.
Trentino Look here, sir, are you trying to-?!
Firefly Don't look now... but there's one man too many in this room, and I think it's you.
A Conversation About Loss and Excuses
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.
Legal Advice Post-Graduation
Rufus T. Firefly I'll see my lawyer about this as soon as he graduates from law school.
A Change of Heart and Its Limitations
Mrs. Teasdale Ambassador Trentino is here on a friendly visit. He's had a change of heart.
Firefly A lot of good that'll do him! He's still got the same face.
Misunderstanding Leads to Humorous Exchange
Prosecutor Something must be done. War would meant a prohibitive increase in our taxes.
Chicolini Hey, I've got an uncle that lives in Taxes.
Prosecutor No, I'm talking about taxes. Money. Dollars.
Chicolini Dollas! There's-a where my uncle lives! Dollas, Taxes!
Dancing Preferences in Humorous Context
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.