Harpo Marx on I've Got a Secret 5/3/61

Harpo, whose autobiography "Harpo Speaks!" has just been published, acts out the answers to interview questions from host Garry Moore while the panel try to figure out what he's miming. Johnny Carson substitutes for Bill Cullen.

[@TomBarrister]

Harpo Marx was 72 at the time, and died about three years after this episode was made. By his own choice, he kept busy right up until the end of his life. Groucho's son Arthur said that Harpo's funeral was the only time he'd ever seen his father cry.

[@5610winston]

When he retired, he was miserable; one of his friends met him when he was moping, and he explained that since he had put all his harps and props and such into storage, his life wasn't the same. The friend said, "Harp, you retired from the life most people want to retire to!" Harpo went back to work and never looked back.

[@AceripXF]

wow 72?! he looked gr8!

[@AceripXF]

@@5610winston good for him!

[@moncorp1]

His autobiography is still in print and very worth the read.

[@5610winston]

Harpo was called the most normal man in Hollywood. No enemies, loved his job, loved his family, and they loved him. Probably the funniest man who ever lived!

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Due to how crazy and chaotic he looks

[@5610winston]

@@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635 When he tried to take harp lessons, he found that the teachers were watching him to learn his techniques. When he approached Marcel Marceau to polish his mime skills, Marceau told him he couldn't improve on his (Harpo's) natural talent.

[@joeybaseball7352]

Dave Chappelle is funnier.

[@cherylwilkinson3228]

@@joeybaseball7352 Maybe in your opinion.

[@MYSONMYBUDDY]

Curly was the funniest & Jerry Lewis was a genius.

[@Mozart1220]

How can anyone not love Harpo?

[@royaumeuni5730]

Perhaps people who don't like when someone jokes about a disability without having it themselves.

[@anneroy4560]

@@royaumeuni5730 He had no disability ... he just did not speak when being a Marx Bros ... he did in real life, he married & had children.

[@royaumeuni5730]

@@anneroy4560 Did you read what I wrote? That's exactly what I mean. He didn't have a disability, but joked about it.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Who?? Who gave Harpo a right to be looking adorable?? I’m blushing right now

[@sopwithpuppy]

I read "Harpo Speaks" many years ago, and LOVED IT! I recommend grabbing a copy and trying it yourself. Great read!

[@texasmimi5566]

I am trying to. Hard to find and pricey on ebay.

[@alanr4447a]

Better not to grab it while someone else is reading it.

[@jadeshannon5583]

Harpo Marx is incredibly funny here! .The Marx Brothers are the greatest comedians ever and way ahead of their time.

[@johnbarron2269]

Jadeshannon5583, the Three Stooges were MUCH BETTER. NO group/comedy team could compete with Moe, Larry, and Curly.-NO WAY

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

This is a priceless classic. Thanks for posting. Harpo Speaks has always been my favorite book. I have a 1st ed. in mint & paperbacks. Sadly, Harpo would be dead in 2 years. He lived a good life & was probably the happiest man who ever lived. His lived a fascinating life & was a most welcomed guest of the rich & famous; e.g., Bernard Shaw, Pres. Truman, Oscar Levant, Alexander Woollcott. He also smuggled secret papers out of the USSR & knew gangsters of the 1930s. A wonderful life!

[@AceripXF]

i love that leg gag lol 72 n still was able to do that lol

[@Deutschie]

This show is a treasure because Harpo was in it. I had heard that for the last year or two of his life Harpo was in almost constant pain from angina. Here he was acting as if he were in the pink of health. Harpo would die in September 1964 while undergoing the then relatively new Coronary Bypass surgery to relieve him of his crushing chest pains. He was 75 years old.

[@demef758]

Harpo was by all accounts a truly lovable guy. The day he died in 1964, Groucho's daughter Miriam said that Groucho was inconsolable. Imagine that. None of the other brothers had that effect on Groucho.

[@grantmackenzie8616]

Demef they all had that affect , they were his brothers

[@texasmimi5566]

@@grantmackenzie8616 No. He only cried at Harpo's funeral. He did not at Chico's. His other 2 brothers were still alive as they were younger than him.

[@texasmimi5566]

Plus, Harpo's death was totally unexpected, so the shock of finding out he died after undergoing heart surgery was devastating.

[@jazzmanchgo]

@@texasmimi5566He loved Chico dearly, as they all did, but Chico could be a difficult man to love. His gambling problem meant that he was always broke and asking for money to bail him out, and he was an irrepressible womanizer, causing much heartbreak in the process. There was a lot of tension with him over the years.

[@debbutcher9087]

The only thing funnier than this would be Groucho and Zeppo setting on the panel and Chico with Harpo. Lol. Long live the Marx Brothers!

[@debbutcher9087]

It's like the king is dead, long live the king! That's what I meant. Lol!

[@darknessanddistance4469]

@HansI Gurtner you got the expression wrong

[@lindashelley3635]

HansI Gurtner There is an old saying that nobody really dies as long as there is still someone alive who remembers them, and with the advent of film in the early 20th century, these entertainers will still be remembered by those who can now still see them as they once were. They will be forever immortalised in a way that previous generations never could, by people who weren’t even born at that time.

[@AceripXF]

@@lindashelley3635 like me i just got into the marx fandom this past Jan.

[@direcorbie]

By this point Chico was too ill to do a show like this. He died 6 months later in November of 1961.

[@zombywoof7583]

This is great. How can you not love Harpo? I'm currently reading "Harpo Speaks" and his narrative is from the inside, so his book puts you there. He has great recollection, so you get memories of the brother's beginning.

[@renhoek7531]

Zomby Woof . Im reading harpo speaks too. Such an amazing book.

[@marksymbala1193]

Zomby Woof he could be a dic

[@EZRDEN]

Zomby Woof I’m reading it as well. Fantastic book.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

Then you know in his book Harpo said, around 1930 he had at least 300 friends.

[@5610winston]

Can you imagine growing up with him as your Dad?

[@667mumble]

Wow, a young Johnny Carson!!!

[@barrycross2585]

Many thanks for posting this, living this side of the pond the only way i get to see anyone from the Marx Brothers is via their films. These TV shows were never screened here and this is the only way we can see them. Brilliant stuff from a fantastic comic Icon Harpo Marx.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I always loved watching Harpo perform. He had real talent. He was a fantastic actor and comedian! 😁

[@bennettsilverstein232]

Thank you for contacting me. Harpo wasn't only my favorite entertainer. He was my favorite human being. I wrote to Mrs. Marx in 1983 and told her how much I adored him, and what I thought he meant to the world. I was floored at the beautiful response she sent me. She told me that he stood for the belief that as long as there is love and laughter in the world, sanity will hold. He stood for all that and more. I loved Laurel and Hardy, too. My favorite is "Way Out West". Do you have one?

[@grantmackenzie8616]

Bennett Silverstein the brothers were all dead by then never mind their mother

[@texasmimi5566]

@@grantmackenzie8616 His wife, Susan, is the Mrs. Marx who wrote back to him. She was still alive, passed in 2002. SMH.....

[@texasmimi5566]

@Just a Girl You are so rude, go away. I have seen your "ignant" comments on other Marx sites. Go away.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Texas Mimi Agree

[@texasmimi5566]

@@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635 Thanks for the support.

[@AceripXF]

i love how he whistles lol

[@caraevans2609]

He book “Harpo Speaks” is one of my favorite biographies!

[@oddjobs3025]

This shows just how sharp Johnny was...not just a pretty face.

[@SwoteOffical]

Patrick Major yeah, I think he lost a tooth or something.

[@ffggddss]

Hollywood personalities, as a group, have always been light on smarts; they're exceptionally good at one thing - entertaining. There have, however, also always been a few really sharp ones; well above average. Johnny was one of those. So was Henry Morgan, despite not showing it here. And I think there were a lot more of those sharpest knives 60 or so years ago than there are now. Fred

[@motomark9736]

Carson one of the quickest minds

[@PRR5406]

One of the loveliest human beings to ever grace our earth, was Harpo Marx. He was not only a genius, but a humble humanitarian. He didn't need to preach his philosophy. When we entered a room, sunshine followed him.

[@triarii11]

I agree. The most decent human being I've ever learned about.

[@zamaraththoth3582]

He adopted 50 orphans. How cool is that?😀🎈

[@darknessanddistance4469]

I don't know where you heard that but it isn't true. He did adopt 4

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@@zamaraththoth3582 You mean animals, right?

[@zamaraththoth3582]

@@darknessanddistance4469 you may be right but i saw a newsclip movie reel showing 50.or so Human orphans...I'll look

[@theresaholguin699]

When I was a kid I actually thought that Harpo could not speak. I was about 15 when I read his book Harpo Speakers. That l learned that he received a bad review. He decided that he would not speak in any of his comedy. What a classic human being decent and just a delight

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

How can he not speak when he's able to whistle?

[@censusgary]

He could speak quite well, but it was funnier when he only communicated in pantomime onstage and on camera. This was a brilliant decision: It made Harpo the most memorable and easily-recognized of all the Marx Brothers.

[@censusgary]

He could speak quite well, but it was funnier when he only communicated in pantomime onstage and on camera. This was a brilliant decision: It made Harpo the most memorable and easily-recognized of all the Marx Brothers.

[@censusgary]

He could speak quite well, but it was funnier when he only communicated in pantomime onstage and on camera. This was a brilliant decision: It made Harpo the most memorable and easily-recognized of all the Marx Brothers.

[@Paisly17]

Poor Harpo was to pass away 3 years later 😪 he was almost 73 here.

[@leesher1845]

What a character he was as were his two other talented brothers, Groucho and Chico. He was a beautiful harpist too.

[@jimvinespresents...8463]

HARPO SPEAKS is a really fabulous autobiography. Wow, what a great and interesting life he led!

[@Lampshade51]

What a funny and charming man.

[@edwardmartinez9459]

Wow Johnny looks so young good old days.

[@blacknight7643]

Kudos to Garry Moore for letting Harpo cut his shirt.

[@donstoddard8458]

Look at Johnny so young. Harpo so funny

[@michaelmaldonado7369]

I love that book! I've read it probably a half dozen times,and it never gets old.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

Have you ever read Maxine Marx's book, "Growing Up With Chico"? If not, then you're missing out. And I don't like what Zeppo did, one time in the 1920s, Chico had good reason for yelling at him; in my opinion, Zeppo was NO gentleman.

[@texasmimi5566]

@@bobbyfrancis8957 I just read Maxine's book. What did Zeppo do that Chico yelled at him for? I don't recall reading this in her book.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@@texasmimi5566 As far as I remember it, Chico's wife was bossing Zeppo at that time, Zeppo didn't like it, so he was driving her - fast - around in a car, when she was expecting! ( I never use that "p" word). Yes, in Chico's place, I would be angry too.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@@texasmimi5566 But, also, do you recall that practical joke that Chico played on Clark Gable ( Gable laughed about it, showing he had a good sense of humor).

[@bongbong7962]

Chico was sick during this. In fact, he died 5 months later after his brother wrote in this book. Harpo and his three younger brothers Groucho, Gummo and Zeppo had to leave to help their brother move hospitals for the last time, Chico Marx was already pronounced dead at age of 74 years old.

[@bongbong7962]

Chico Marx (March 22, 1887 - October 11, 1961)

[@davidholden7437]

Harpo was a genius

[@MTondeleo]

Comes back to me, I actually heard Groucho explain it in an interview.Thanks for the input & reminder. I once passed Groucho on the Quad at UCLA, not to give away my ancient age! He was doing a show there.

[@bennettsilverstein]

It was hard to believe that within three years, he was gone. He wasn't only everyone's favorite comic genius, he was everyone's favorite human being. The letter I received from his widow, Susan Marx, is one of my most prized possessions.

[@marymartinawogan7910]

Lucky audience...he is so amazing. And he must have been in his seventies in this clip. Im definitely going to get that book!

[@elvicare35]

He was 72 or 73!!!!!

[@beachside1]

yeah I thought the same thing. Most people his age dont want to get out of bed but harpo was nonstop and was a great family man and at this age he still practiced the harp at home....incredible. They will never make them like him or his brothers ever again.Harpo was def my favorite. Sooo damn talented

[@CaresinVerse]

Mary Martina Wogan the book is great. Also get “Son of Harpo Speaks” by Billy Marx. Wonderful books!

[@gailjarvis2592]

Uh, I don't know how many 72 year olds you know. Most are up and out of the bed while you're still in.

[@CrackedTroyster]

@@gailjarvis2592 I have a friend who is 78 and still rides a motorcycle.

[@tommyrock69]

Harpo was a genius. Such talent.

[@regesuchma3658]

The marx brothers the three stooges and abbott and costello were my favorites

[@AceripXF]

omg meeee tooooo!!!

[@lorrainem8234]

Thank you for this. It made my day!

[@MTondeleo]

Thanks, B.P., I recall it now. Harpo the skirt chaser on-screen, Chico off-screen.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

😮

[@AceripXF]

Harpo is so damn cute!!! lol

[@lbcharlie05]

I have always known Harpo"s secrets, he can make ANYONE HAPPY!

[@soundvisionary13]

He was a GOD of comedy! Imagine what the Marx Brothers would do today if given $100 Million to make a movie. The Blues Brothers used it crashing dozens of cars. I know they would have come up with brilliance like they always did. Sadly missed!

[@chrisgodlaproductions3106]

soundvisionary13 blues brothers budget was only 24 million. Today, that would cost hundreds of millions

[@fromthesidelines]

That same month, Harpo also appeared on "THE TODAY SHOW" to "plug" his book [John Daly filled in for Dave Garroway that morning], and it was just as memorable [when you're able to make John Charles Daly crack up on live television, you KNOW it's a "keeper"].

[@lunasong365]

This is delightful!

[@Dahlialien_]

When he starts "distributing" his book at the end, I about died hahaha!! I should've expected that lol

[@MostlyBrenda]

Harpo was 72 years old here.

[@robertobrian1993]

1960?

[@lindaackerman3507]

Wow, he looked great for 72

[@LRod1959]

He only lived another 3 years.

[@robertsiebenrock3997]

He's the best there is!

[@jadeshannon5583]

I found that funny.I love the Marx Brothers!

[@DarkNagell]

@leianog thank you!!! i was searching for that video too.. I hope someone will find something longer.. i would love to see the whole video...

[@leianog]

I would LOVE to see the ep where Chico dresses as Harpo. Hope someon e puts it up on here someday. really love this clip, thanks heaps for uploading it :)

[@texasmimi5566]

Me, too!

[@AceripXF]

@@texasmimi5566 make that 3!

[@MFPhoto1]

And a (very) young Johnny Carson.

[@polski67uk]

Johnny Carson helluva young.

[@Bibsters1]

Jimmy, Chico's name was Chick-o because he was --how can we put this gently-- a skirt chaser!

[@samp.8099]

7:33 he looks so upset that he didn't get a hug from Harpo

[@williampeacock6495]

harpo the best marx brother

[@Timlinthomasp]

Saw your comment just now and wanted you to know that line is worthy of Groucho, lol. Very good.

[@scootscootriot1020]

Who was the poor schlep who did NOT like this?

[@rudyebert4339]

2020, an there are 20 folks who don't like this. Younger generation I suppose who don't understand great comedy by comedians of the past. Of which the Marx Brothers were among the the greatest

[@tasseltoes]

In about 1990, I went to lunch with a couple of Yuppies. Somehow, the conversation got onto The Marx Brothers, and one of them said, "I've never seen a Marx Brothers movie." I was surprised by this, so I said, "You haven't?" And he replied, "No. Why would I?" I managed to say, "Because they're funny?" but it was clear that my words were falling on deaf ears. And I'm sure it's worse now -- I don't think there are any fart jokes in Marx Brothers movies.

[@TomBarrister]

Some people thumbs-down everything.

[@AceripXF]

@@tasseltoes im 36 n nvr seen a marx bro ep till just last month n now im hooked lol

[@Mxyzptlksac]

Gummo’s ghost

[@1burnman]

I love the marx brothers

[@lilginger8642010]

wow..the ending is better than being on Oprah!...hmm..oprah? harpo??

[@pgh45rpms]

The only thing that could possibly surpass Harpo's comedy is the sensitive way he played his harp.

[@leemclaury6251]

Smoking was the thing in those days . TV shows promoted it . I grew seeing it and living with two parents who smoked

[@richardkcarson]

@DarkNagell Chico's appearance on the show aired August 17, 1955, but unfortunately I don't have that episode.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

There is one to know that Chico was disguising himself as Harpo

[@AceripXF]

Chico appeared on a show called THE NAMES THE SAME

[@anje93061]

I might've missread it somewhere but that's actually Chico in Harpo's costume.

[@JSB1882]

Johnny must have felt pretty good about his performance on this show.

[@nealsausen4651]

Harpo Marx invented Pantomine! He was the all-time greatest at it, made a stellar lifetime career of it! He is missed!

[@jesusjuyce]

Groucho's philosophy 2:00 nail anything that moves

[@BaccarWozat]

So Johnny Carson *met* Harpo, didn't know that

[@sonrouge]

Wanna know why it'd be hard and annoying to try and have a conversation with Harpo Marx? Because you'd be laughing too hard to speak!

[@Procrastimaster]

@leianog Thanks! It is easy to see it's Chico...wish it was a longer clip, but I'll take what I can get! =)

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Wait WHAT!?

[@chrisabraham8793]

Classic.

[@stefanomagaddino6868]

I've always had a crush on Bess Meyerson !

[@Hobbes1025]

@Procrastimaster That was up.., but I can't find it again! :(

[@suzycreamcheesez]

I love Way Out West!!

[@darknessanddistance4469]

That was Laurel and Hardy. The Marx Brothers Western was called go west

[@lttlgreg]

Mrs. Voorhees on the panel!

[@1anero]

Yes it is

[@DarkNagell]

@Procrastimaster i'm searching for that clip too.. did you find anything?

[@AceripXF]

wash ur hands out w soap lmaooo (cant say mouth cos he didnt say anything) lol

[@AceripXF]

does ne 1 have the 1 w chico marx?

[@ignorecorporatenews]

What are the names please of the 3 panelists besides J. Carson?

[@AceripXF]

fire away lmao!!!

[@Zolallo13]

I'd hate to have to play against him in charades.

[@loggerbomb]

Ripping the pages out of the book to "distribute" it cracked me up hard! Never seen that before which is shocking as I am surprised no one has ever ripped it off.

[@vampiregoat69]

WOW Johnny Carson. There language is so different than today, spread the alarm?

[@lindaackerman3507]

The blonde was Betsy Palmer, she was the mother of Jason , the monster in the friday the 13th movies years later.

[@theunrealtimemm]

For the quiet Marx brother, and regarding whom the book makes it clear he had very little education, his autobio is very erudite and a page-turner.

[@DarkNagell]

@richardkcarson thank you anywya =)

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Each of those books are now worth about $200. each & much more if autographed.

[@stevenscottoddballz]

10:45 I couldn't understand the answer with everyone talking, then Harpo whistling the second someone got it. What was it?

[@PrinceLotor]

He would take short cuts.

[@stevenscottoddballz]

@@PrinceLotor Thank you very much, PrinceLotor.

[@andrewilliamcesardossantos1555]

1:14 😂😂😂😂😂

[@VicMartino]

I always enjoy watching Harpo Marx with and without his brothers. But what was the last answer when he was cutting up Gary Moore's shirt? I could not make that out!

[@samp.8099]

shortcut

[@VicMartino]

@@samp.8099 Thank you.

[@mtdouthit1291]

He’s 73 here ????????

[@whiskymylove]

i wonder how many pages of that book are still around...

[@texasmimi5566]

Do you mean copies? They are hard to find. Ebay has some but are pricey. I am looking at Estate Sales, thrift stores, even on my community's portal message board. Will prolly buy on ebay.

[@whiskymylove]

@@texasmimi5566 no i meant the pages from that particular copy. Would br a awesome collector piece. Lots of juju lol

[@ItsFazsha]

I can never keep Betsy Palmer and Abby Dalton straight. This is Betsy, at her absolute loveliest.

[@WytZox1]

* Game shows from NYC such as IGAS & What's My Line sis give national exposure to otherwise unknown Broadway stage actors. ☺

[@jiggywithit4869]

Is that Johnny Carson?

[@lochas9901]

Who is the blonde panelist?

[@AceripXF]

shirt cut lmao

[@AceripXF]

@@texasmimi5566 harpo was cutting his shirt ......shirt cut sounds like short cut

[@StevieStitches]

@rainbowkeys711 Yes it is.

[@Procrastimaster]

I love this! Do you have the one where Chico is on the show dressed as Harpo?

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

It was because he was disguised as his younger brother

[@echoecho3108]

I just watched that before this one. Sorry I can't give you the link bc I already closed the window, but it's on KZbin.

[@Procrastimaster]

@@echoecho3108 I was able to find it! Thanks!

[@echoecho3108]

@@Procrastimaster 😊👍 Btw. Love your name!

[@Procrastimaster]

@@echoecho3108 Thank you! :)

[@Zolallo13]

He gave up speaking while he was on Vaudeville and got a bad review. But there are recordings of him speaking. Here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZrEpZ2qqbWXrac