dir. Leo McCarey
writ. Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, additional dialogue by Arthur Sheekman and Nat Perrin
feat. Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, Margaret Dumont
Grand insanity! Watching Groucho as Rufus T. Firefly lead his nation of Freedonia to war against neighboring Sylvania over the love of Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Dumont) will test the mettle of anyone accustomed to a tight (or loose) sense of narrative. Becoming caught up in the chaotic rambling quality of the story, the viewer experiences a sense of release, freed from the normal trappings of a linear story, floating along from sketch to sketch.
Added to the absurd sendup of politics, warmongering, and love, is a playful element of existentialism, best demonstrated in the mirror scene. As Groucho tests his reflection, suspicious of Harpo as reflection but unable to trick him into giving up the truth of his ruse, the absurd escalates when Harpo fakes a spin. Finally we are taken through the looking glass as Groucho and Harpo circle one another, eyes locked, Groucho carefully waiting to catch anything amiss. This bending of the rules of reality and taking the audience along for the ride marks the height of the Marx Brothers powers, and may be their greatest scene on film.
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