In the clip below, we see one of the first scenes with Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly, engaged in conversation with the aristocratic Mrs. Teasdale played by Margaret Dumont. To describe this clip as a conversation is misleading...it's more like a string of jokes with Mrs. Teasdale setting up Firefly's wisecracks. Still, it advances the narrative (or what excuse there is for one) because it establishes Mrs. Teasdale's romantic availability, as well as the ridiculousness (danger?) of Firefly as leader of the country.
Essentially, throughout the film there are comic disruptions to the narrative, which serve almost as separate comic performances to highlight the Marx Bros. The narrative strings together these "bits", leading to a climactic shootout with a nonsensical (and therefore appropriate) ending. Musicals were another genre that shares characteristics with the anarchic comedy in the sense that separate "numbers" are linked together by narrative. Duck Soup has its own brand of "anarchic musical" segment, seen here:
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