"Why a Duck?" is a comedy routine featured in the Marx Brothers movie The Cocoanuts (1929). In a scene in which Groucho and Chico are discussing a map, Groucho mentions the presence of a viaduct between the mainland and a peninsula. Chico, who is playing the role of an immigrant with poor English skills, replies "Why a duck?" This leads into a long schtick with Chico responding "Why a no chicken?", "I catch ona why a horse", and so forth.[1]
Chico and Groucho Marx during the classic "Why a Duck?" scene from The Cocoanuts.
"Why a Duck?" is a touchstone scene for Marx Brothers fans,[2] as evidenced by Richard Anobile's book of the same name (featuring a foreword by Groucho) which focuses on the minutiae of the Marx Brothers' routines.
The duck is a recurring reference throughout the Marxes' and especially Groucho's career. His signature walk was called "the duck walk" and on Groucho's television program You Bet Your Life a stuffed duck made up to resemble Groucho would drop from the ceiling to give contestants money if they said the day's secret word. Reportedly, when asked about the selection of a duck, Groucho answered "because a duck is such a silly animal". Ducks are the only animals that perform lines in the song "Everyone Says I Love You" in the Marx Brothers' film Horse Feathers (1932). Their next film was called Duck Soup (1933), although no ducks or soup appear anywhere in the film except the title sequence. In A Night At The Opera (1935), Groucho orders a duck egg for breakfast.[3]
Cultural references to the "why a duck?" routineedit
duck, comedy, routine, featured, marx, brothers, movie, cocoanuts, 1929, scene, which, groucho, chico, discussing, groucho, mentions, presence, viaduct, between, mainland, peninsula, chico, playing, role, immigrant, with, poor, english, skills, replies, duck, . Why a Duck is a comedy routine featured in the Marx Brothers movie The Cocoanuts 1929 In a scene in which Groucho and Chico are discussing a map Groucho mentions the presence of a viaduct between the mainland and a peninsula Chico who is playing the role of an immigrant with poor English skills replies Why a duck This leads into a long schtick with Chico responding Why a no chicken I catch ona why a horse and so forth 1 Chico and Groucho Marx during the classic Why a Duck scene from The Cocoanuts This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed January 2018 Learn how and when to remove this message Why a Duck is a touchstone scene for Marx Brothers fans 2 as evidenced by Richard Anobile s book of the same name featuring a foreword by Groucho which focuses on the minutiae of the Marx Brothers routines Contents 1 Duck as a theme 2 Cultural references to the why a duck routine 3 See also 4 ReferencesDuck as a theme editThis article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed January 2018 Learn how and when to remove this message The duck is a recurring reference throughout the Marxes and especially Groucho s career His signature walk was called the duck walk and on Groucho s television program You Bet Your Life a stuffed duck made up to resemble Groucho would drop from the ceiling to give contestants money if they said the day s secret word Reportedly when asked about the selection of a duck Groucho answered because a duck is such a silly animal Ducks are the only animals that perform lines in the song Everyone Says I Love You in the Marx Brothers film Horse Feathers 1932 Their next film was called Duck Soup 1933 although no ducks or soup appear anywhere in the film except the title sequence In A Night At The Opera 1935 Groucho orders a duck egg for breakfast 3 Cultural references to the why a duck routine edit Why A Duck radio program 4 See also editInherently funny word Duck cultural referencesReferences edit The Cocoanuts Why A Duck The Marx Brothers Anobile Richard 1980 Why a Duck visual and verbal gems from the Marx Brothers movies New York Avon Books ISBN 0 380 00452 6 A Night At The Opera Crowded Cabin Scene YouTube Why a Duck Vancouver Co op Radio nbsp This comedy or humor related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Why a Duck 3F amp oldid 1179449450, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
