What is so remarkable is that Harpo was almost entirely self taught and played in a unique way. He was so talented. The harp is one of the most difficult instrument to master as it is so difficult to see the strings.
Harpo and Chico are two of the best musicians! Sad that kids today will never watch stuff like this unless you tie 'em down! That and their comedy was off the charts too!
My mom took my sister and me to see Love Happy, the very last Marx Brothers movie, in the mid forties. As usual, Harpo comes across a harp while he is up to his shenanigans and suddenly Harpo's entire demeanour changes to one of total seriousness and concentration; as young as I was, I've never forgotten how much that impacted on me.........Rest in Peace Harpo, for you have surely earned it!
YES, "*LOVE HAPPY*", that was the one with THE BEAUTIFUL VILLAINESS:"*THE Countess Egilitchi*" (*SPELLING*(???!!!)): Played by, the VERY BEAUTIFUL: ("*MISS*")*ILONA MASSEY*(the *Hungarian* Actress): I forgot t what (EXACTLY) it was about:"*Groucho*" MAY have played a DETECTIVE, though(???)): And there was a MAD CHASE, towards the end(???!!!): And, I forget, what TUNE "*Harpo*" played, on The Harp (it's been quite a few years, since I've seen it). I DO remember, that I ENJOYED it, however, thanks, for mentioning it.;-)))
@claudiachasman8307 I remember that the villain, Madame Eagleitchy was after a diamond necklace that was hidden in a sardine can. Groucho played a detective searching for the diamonds too. The song that Harpo played in that movie was Swanee River. He also played Happy Birthday to his friend Maggie to cheer her up after her boyfriend overlooked her birthday for a business deal. The movie ended with Harpo disappearing into the night with the diamonds, Chico works for Groucho in his office, and Groucho ended up marrying Madame Eagleitchy!
I miss them Harpo, Chico, Groucho. They were very talented. Harpo is my favorite of them. I do love them all. So much talent brilliant comedy trio. If all time ❤😎❤😎❤😎❤
I cannot imagine Hollywood today just routinely putting instrumental flourishes into a movie for its stars the way the studios did for the Marx Brothers.
He's all art. Helps me remember a great line from "Dead Poet's Society": _"And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."_
And "the only normal man in Hollywood", with four kids who loved him, married to the same woman for over thirty years ('til death did them part), never took a sleeping pill, never spent a minute on a psychiatrist's couch, and didn't have an enemy in the world. He loved his work loved his art, and above all, loved his family. Source: his autobiography, "HARPO SPEAKS".
@@samthomas8179 I may be wrong (and I know I"m late to the party as it were) but in his book "Harpo Speaks," the actor himself said that Harpo was the part he played until he sat down at the harp and then he was no longer Harpo - he was himself, Arthur Marx.
The people standing there had a better-than-front-row seat to that performance. -- Professional harp player (not too many of them around). -- In person view. No 1939 video technology needed. Those people see Harpo playing with their own eyes. -- In person, direct and real sound. Not listening to the sound from youtube, or the recording technology of 1939. They are listening to the actual harp. The difference between hearing this performance on youtube or elsewhere vs hearing it standing next to Harpo is the difference betwween looking at a top-chef prepared meal on a black-and-white TV vs actually eating the meal. Being there, next to Harpo, with an unobstructed view, and hearing the Harp directly from the harp, being played by a professional harp player, is the treat of a lifetime.
Brilliant beautiful musical Harpo was self taught. Harpo left the building with Arthur came out to play his harp. Just beautiful. Harpo was a true man and family man who gave us his presence with his brothers. They were amazing gentlemen funny and awesome. May they all rest in peace
No, let them bust up Heaven so the angels can enjoy their presence, skills, and humor. They brought an eternity of humor and inspired music to us already.
Wow. That was a brilliant rendition. Creative, clever, sentimental, bold, sweet... I wish there was a lot more of him recorded, as the man was a serious musician and arranger.
Watching the Marx brothers and Harpo's playing is why I bought a lap harp at 22, and started real lessons 10 years ago. I have since bought a larger harp- I fell in love with Harpo!
Harpo was amazing....so funny without saying a word, and also a brilliant musician...we will never see the likes of him again...rest in peace dear Harpo
I used to watch the Marx Brothers' movies on TV as a very young child (I'm 66 now). We were all falling on the floor laughing, and I swear I DID think the musical performances of Harpo and Chico were great, even then. As a child I did not however, TRULY appreciate how incredible they really were as musicians. They are the definition of genius and FAMILY.
I heard his daughter in an interview that if he heard on the local radio near where they lived of a stray animal that needed to be adopted Harpo would disappear and bring home the dog or cat , that says a lot about character to me ,
DITTO, DITTO, I was noticing that, MYSELF.;-) To borrow a term, from the other commenter: "*EN-RAPTURING*" (I COULDN'T have said it, BETTER, MYSELF, THANK YOU.;-)))
I agree; absolutely incredible. Critics may call a film a "flop" for whatever reasons, but every Marx Brothers film had wonderful moments like that, especially where the music was concerned.
Yes yes yes yes. That little girl with the big eyes was the frosting on that cake. 6 18 2021. Chochosanpresents. Is my user name and.i end with a dot com and picked the strong silent type. Harpo. As my kind of guy
@@jimieljoseph2322 I can remember growing up hearing that the reason he never spoke in the movies was because he WAS mute, though. Probably one of the earliest "urban legends" I ever heard :)
@@TheDoctor1225 the reason he nvr spoke was cos when he delivered lines it wasnt very good so he took up doing physical comedy miming everything instead
How wonderful to see & hear this.I know very little about music & don't play any instruments,but I feel his interpretation on this & other music is phenomenal.Something other worldly & you would be hard pressed to find anyone like him these days.❤️
Very odd that such beautiful music makes me cry!?! Perhaps its the misunderstood oodball that Harpo represents that rings so true to me, as if we were brothers in spirit, somehow. I don't have one ioda of talent that this man possesses, but to watch and listen to his playing is akin to musical nervana, with his face a study in concentration and adoration for instrument and music. Beautiful!
Love this! Vintage Marx. What a diverse talent, so necessary in the vaudeville days. Harpo can't be pigeon holed into history as a mute slapstick. This proves he was an AMAZING musician, too!
One of my most prized possessions is a letter written to me by Harpo's wife, Susan, in 1983. In the letter, she told me he stood for the hope that, for as long as there is love and laughter in the world, sanity will hold. He was one of the funniest and most wonderful men in the world. Whenever I'm invited to a Hallowe'en party, I can never come. But, I always see to it that Harpo shows up. I've gotten so good at it that people forget it's really me in a wig and a raincoat. One night, I said to my friend: "It's hot in that costume". He said: "How would you know? You're not the one who wears it." Gone almost 60 years and I still miss him.
At about 0:24, the woman who appears, wearing the prominent hat, is Lillian Randolph, who was well known in radio as "Madam Queen" in the Amos 'n' Andy series. She also played that role during the brief TV run of the show. In addition to her performances, she also taught acting, and was inducted into the Black FIlmmakers' Hall Of Fame. Her sister, Amanda Randolph was, perhaps, even more prolific on radio and screen.
That intense concentration on his face! He was left-handed, and his first harp lesson was a picture of an angel playing right-handed. When he sought professional training, he realized that the teachers were studying his technique rather than the other way around
Thanks, I was a member of the YMCA , And on on Saturday mornings, they would have movie projector, films. from recent movie-tonea cartoon and a featured films for a quarter, hotdog potato chips and a lemonade included. I haven’t haven’t heard this in over 60 years. Fairly impressive for kids. Thanks🙏🏽
Anche se eseguita con l' arpa, questa e' in assoluto la migliore versione strumentale del famoso brano "Blue Moon". Harpo Marx non era soltanto un grande comico ma anche un virtuoso di questo elegante strumento musicale, se non avesse fatto cinema sarebbe sicuramente diventato un grande concertista.
When I watch Harpo it almost makes me cry....So beautiful and Harpo looks completely fully entranced in his music...Have loved him and the Marx Brothers for a very long time.
That just puts it all in perspective does it not? I know it's going to be about 20 years when this is a hundred years old but man it's just unbelievable how time does fly
I adore the Marx brothers. They will always be my favorite comedians. And such musical genius! Amazing too that they were all brothers and yet each of them had his own unique personality and talent.
I've always wondered did the Marx Brothers like black people? because they all were in two of their movies At the Circus and Day of the Races and mostly Harpo was always around them so was there or was there not any racism between them? just a little question not trying to judge anyone I just wanted an answer.
@@niawhite7457 Well, IMO if they didn't like black people, black people would not have been around them or in their movies...........ya think? Nobody can really answer this unusual question, can they?
I agreee for more than 1000 %... You can see that he loves his instrument and he ownes it more than another harp-player I know... Only a big man can make himself a fool and stay a hero.... I bow my head in front of such a talent. This is why i show the old films to my young kids. To learn that you have to practise for beeing pro....
No one could play Harpo's harps like he could..... He learned to play before he learned how the harp was "properly" tuned. I found this fact to be fascinating (look it up). Absolutely my favorite harp player of all time..... Actually, I cannot name another harp player..... at all!
Oh, Alice Coltrane.;-))) And, SHE was WONDERFUL.;-))) But, you can't really COMPARE them, they are from 2 different ERAS, and GENRES. But, the ONE thing that '*Alice*", and "*Harpo*" DO have, "*IN COMMON*": They (BOTH) take you to: "*CELESTIAL* Places*";-))) To '*The Realms of ANGELS*".;-)
Saw Harpo on "I Love Lucy" playing "take Me Out to the Ballgame. Brought back memories of listening to him as a small child. Sorry much of the younger generation have not been exposed to such musicians. I plan to play his music during my grandson's nap.
This episode is what brought Harpo Marx to my attention growing up in the '60's. It is my favorite episode of I Love Lucy, with her "Carmen Miranda" episode a close second.
I read somewhere, that had ‘Arthur Marx’ played a properly tuned harp, it would have broken within seconds. He used his own, improvised tuning. Years later, he tried to learn to play ‘properly’, employing eminent harpists from around the globe, as tutors. It failed. They simply watched him play his own harp, and begged him not to attempt any change. His tutors merely became audiences, mesmerised by his genius. And he was a genius.
Harpo turns into a very serious artist who takes this art professionally... If only Jack Benny could've played the Harp instead of trying so hard with the violin. ...:)
According to Jack Benny's daughter her father really-really tried practicing the violin it was such awful sound they would go to the Beverly Hills Library to do their homework..
Hello: Beverly Hills Police department. . I'm one of the neighbors of Harpo Marx just wanted to report he's acting a little strange. ... You asking how strange, we'll right now running around yard with a big rubber horn in a clown suit making all sorts of tooting noises, your asking if he frighten anybody, not really the children really seem to enjoy it... So officer you believe it's a birthday party and I have nothing to be concerned about. .. "Then nevermind"
