I re-watched the classic Marx Brothers movie Duck Soup last night and three (barely) finance-related bits stuck out. Yes, this as a thinly veiled attempt to get the Marx Brothers on TGR.
First, a timely discussion of the politics of debt, in Groucho’s extended introduction:
Groucho: “Now, how about lending this country 20 million dollars you owe, skinflint?”
Ambassador: “20 million dollars is a lot of money. I’ll have to take that up with my Minister of Finance.”
Groucho: “Well, in the meantime, could you let me have twelve dollars until payday?”
Ambassador: “Twelve dollars?”
Groucho: “Don’t be scared, you’ll get it back. I’ll give you my personal note for 90 days. If it isn’t paid by then… you can keep the note.”
Skip to 8:29:
Next, during Groucho’s first Cabinet meeting:
Minister: “How about taking up the tax?”
Groucho: “How about taking up the carpet?”
Minister: “I still insist we must take up the tax!”
Groucho: “He’s right, you have to take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet.”
Skip to 9:19:
Finally, a well-known joke from Chico’s trial:
Minister: “War would mean a prohibitive increase in our taxes!”
Chico: “Hey, I got an uncle who lives in Texas!”
Minister: “No, I’m talking about taxes: money, dollars.”
Chico: “Dollars, that’s where my uncle lives: Dallas, Texas.”
Skip to 3:01:
