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Duck Soup
- NOT RATED
- Year:
- 1933
- 68 min
- 1,571 Views
The story begins with an opening shot on the exterior
of the executive mansion. It is a gala day. Soldiers are
lined up in front of the entrance; expensive cars and car-
riages are arriving and depositing distinguished notables
from the adjoining countries. Two trumpeters at the head of
the stairs announce the arrival of each notable.
In the large reception hall, Mrs. Teasdale, wife of
the late president, is greeting the newcomers. The room is
filled with distinguished guests. At the moment we see Mrs.
Teasdale, she is talking with a notable. In the near back-
ground is a group of distinguished men, members of her own
cabinet. Her words to the notable are not lost on them, and
as she begins to praise the new dictator, there is the ex-
change of disapproving glances.
Mrs. Teasdale
It is so good of you to come.
Notable
An honor, Mrs. Teasdale.... You must indeed have great faith
in your new dictator to give him such a magnificent reception.
Mrs. Teasdale
I feel that Rufus T. Firefly is the only logical successor to
my dear departed husband. He has the statesmanship of Glad-
stone, the humility of Lincoln, and the wisdom of Pericles.
The notable kisses her hand once more and leaves the
scene. As he does, the background group moves into Mrs.
Teasdale. Their spokesman addresses Mrs. Teasdale.
First Cabinet Member
(Protestingly)
Mrs. Teasdale, as members of Freedonia's cabinet, we do not
approve of your choice. Who is this Rufus T. Firefly?
Second Cabinet Member
(Waving aloft a paper)
A stranger in our midst, an agent for the Eureka Ammunition
Company. Think of it, Gentlemen, an ammunition salesman dic-
tating the policies of our peace-loving country.
Third Cabinet Member
Reconsider, Mrs. Teasdale, before it is too late. The citi-
zens of Freedonia want a President!
Mrs. Teasdale
As the widow of your last president, I have the right to
choose -- and, Gentlemen, I refuse to discuss the matter any
further.
Mrs Teasdale turns her back on them, leaving them to
mumble among themselves.
From off scene comes a servant's voice, announcing:
Servant
His Excellency, Ambassador Verdi Trentino of Amnesia!
Cut... to the archway. We see Trentino enter with a
beautiful brunette at his side. He is followed by two or
three of his fellowmen. He moves across the reception hall
to Mrs. Teasdale, bows most graciously and presses his lips
to the back of her hand, then introduces his companion.
Trentino
Mrs. Teasdale..... my niece, Vera.
Mrs. Teasdale shakes the girl's hand warmly.
Mrs. Teasdale
(To niece)
Your uncle has been such a friend to us in every crisis.
Without his country's financial aid --
Trentino
(Lightly)
What is money?
(Tenderly)
Mrs. Teasdale, for you -- I would do anything.
Mrs. Teasdale
(Flustered)
Ambassador!
(Attempting to change the subject)
I am so anxious for you to meet our new dictator.
Trentino
(Persistent in his flattery)
Mrs. Teasdale -- no matter who rules Freedonia, to me you
will always be the first lady of the land.
Trentino attempts to take her hand. The latter is a
bit confused, much to the amusement of Vera, who laughingly
says:
Vera
Mrs. Teasdale, my uncle's hopeless -- you've been the only
topic of conversation ever since we left Amnesia.
Mrs. Teasdale's confusion is happily interrupted by
the announcement of a servant, off scene.
Servant
The Honorable Mohamed Pandooh of Mufhtan!
Mrs. Teasdale
(Hastily)
Oh, I must greet His Honor.
Mrs. Teasdale exits from the scene quickly. Vera and
Trentino look after her, then Vera laughs softly, as their
eyes meet.
Vera
So that's the one you want to marry.
Trentino
With Mrs. Teasdale as my wife and Freedonia under my control --
(He rubs his hands significantly)
Vera
Maybe it's not going to be so easy. From what I've heard,
Mrs. Teasdale is rather sweet on this Rufus T. Firefly.
Trentino
That's where you come in. I'll leave him in your hands, and
don't forget you're supposed to be my niece.
Vera winks agreeingly.
Mrs. Teasdale enters the scene with Bob Firefly (ZEPPO).
She introduces him.
Mrs. Teasdale
I want you to meet the son of His Excellency -- Bob Firefly....
Ambassador Trentino... his niece, Vera,
After the formalities of introducing, Trentino says:
Trentino
Isn't it about time for the ceremony to begin, Mrs. Teasdale?
(Mockingly)
I do hope His Excellency won't be late.
Bob
(Defensively)
My father makes it a point to always be on time. As long as
I've known him, he's never been late for an appointment.
Trentino
But it's two minutes of ten now.
Bob
(As music begins)
His Excellency is due
To take his station.
Beginning his new
Administration......
He'll make his appearance when
The clock on the wall strikes ten.
Mrs. Teasdale (singing)
When the clock on the wall strikes ten
All you loyal ladies and you patriotic men
Let's sing the national anthem when...
The clock on the all strikes ten.
The clock begins to strike the hour... one....
two.... three.... four....
All (Singing)
Hail, hail, Freedonia.....
Mightiest of mighty nations!
Hail, hail, Freedonia
Land of the brave and free.
This finishes on an operatic note with everybody with
outstretched hands turned toward the main door that connects
the reception hall with the outer hall.
Groucho doesn't appear and once more they all sing.
All (Singing)
Hail, hail, Freedonia....
Land of the brave and free.
Again Groucho fails to appear and they all sing once
more.
All (Singing)
Hail, hail, Freedonia....
Land of the brave and free.
Mrs. Teasdale exchanges an apprehensive glance with
Bob. Vera and Trentino smile.
Mrs. Teasdale
(Nervously)
I hope nothing has happened.
Bob
Mrs. Teasdale, I assure you there is nothing to worry about.
Father is probably taking extra care in getting into his
robes of state. I'll call him.
Bob goes over to a corner of the room and pulls a
tapestried bell cord. This rings a fire bell in Groucho's
room -- and Groucho is disclosed asleep in his canopied bed
under a mosquito netting. He has an unlighted cigar in his
mouth. The continued jangling of the fire bell awakens him
from his slumber and he rises quickly. The cigar begins to
emit smoke when he starts puffing. He hurries over to one
corner of the room where his clothes are arranged in fireman
fashion, gets into them, and then sides down a fireman's
pole into the reception hall.
The guests are singing the last two lines of the
national anthem when he arrives.
All (Singing)
Hail, hail, Freedonia.....
Land of the brave and free.
Groucho starts across the hall in the direction of
Mrs. Teasdale. He passes several notables, one of whom is
wearing an impressive looking medal. Groucho deprives him of
it without stopping his forward movement, and pins it on him-
self. He pauses only when he is facing the principal group.
Mrs. Teasdale
(Beaming as she addresses Groucho)
As chairwoman of the reception committee, I welcome you and
extend the good wishes of every man, woman and child of
Freedonia. I deem it an honor on this momentous occasion....
Groucho
(Interrupting)
Never mind that stuff.....
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"Duck Soup" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 Sep. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/duck_soup_971>.
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