The Wonderful Antics of Harpo Marx

Harpo was given the name Adolph, but changed it to Arthur during World War I because it was too 'German'.
Bill Marx (Harpo's son) once wrote anybody who has seen a Marx Brothers movie knows Harpo is a lunatic... a wild man capable of the craziest things imaginable... and even some things that defy the laws of physics.
This is a compilation of some great Harpo moments from 1929 - 1949.
Harpo was born Adolph Marx on November 23, 1888 and passed away on September 28, 1964 after having open-heart surgery.
He was a magical character and pretty amazing Harpist. This video celebrates his unique style of comedy.
Edited by Paul Hagl

[@sonrouge]

I dare say Harpo had the most skill. Not to put down his brothers, but being funny is a lot easier when you can talk. This guy had us laughing without saying a word for decades.

[@Lenny-ue8hk]

"cut the cards" *smashes them with an axe* *smiles, waves, and fucks off like the beautiful man he was*

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that maniac pantomime is crazy

[@judybest6991]

Even though Harpo doesn't say a word he still speaks volumes

[@evenflow5491]

Buster Keaton always said you never needed to tell people what you’re saying as long as you can show them

[@BR-jw7pm]

As they say “his silence is deafening”

[@winstonelston5743]

Harpo was once called "The most normal man in Hollywood." You can tell how he loves his work and his coworkers. Thanks for the memories, Harp!

[@luciusvorenus9445]

And his family. On his first wedding anniversary he greeted his wife at breakfast wearing the suit from their wedding.

[@bigrigJim]

I read somewhere that when they made that dog come out of his doghouse tattoo it really blew peoples minds at the time , it was considered to be state of the art special effects and had never been done before .

[@nealsausen4651]

bigrigJim; Yeah, I always wondered about that (scene) too! And it's STILL one of the most "SURREAL" and "mind blowing" scenes on cinema to this day!

[@MrFreekbrother]

Groucho making a cat-meow sound, only to be taken aback when a real dog's head emerges barking (2.35). Had me in stitches!

[@TheStapleGunKid]

Harpo was the ultimate troll. I especially loved the scene where he t-bags the lemonade.

[@TheContessa52]

I have loved Harpo since I was a child - now my 24 year old niece loves him - his humor is timeless and he is angelic!

[@leemclaury6251]

How could anyone give a thumbs down to a Harpo ? He just was so funny without saying a word .

[@daveidmarx8296]

How can anyone give a thumbs down on KZbin?

[@ramblinevilmushroom]

anyone else find it kind of fittingly hilarious that the greatest clown of the 20th century was a man called "Adolph Marx"?

[@MiniMeowBiggie]

He legally changed his name to Arthur because of Hitler’s name was Adolph

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Harpo was a funny creep

[@Joniwima1]

Good point

[@Losrandir]

@@MiniMeowBiggie Indeed he did, and good for him

[@AceripXF]

well he changed it to Aurthor

[@davidgarrote6467]

Absolutely brilliant. Not surprisingly, Salvador Dalí used to say that Harpo Marx was the greatest surrelist artist he'd ever met.

[@raymondhamill6702]

I had no idea that Salvador Dali met Harpo, you learn something new everyday

[@Losrandir]

Those two would be a pretty good match

[@AceripXF]

@@raymondhamill6702 whos salvidor lol

[@TrippBurnett]

Salvador Dalí actually gifted Harpo a harp made of barbed wire and frame of the harp with spoons. There’s a photo of them together with Harpo trying to “play” the gifted harp with his fingers bandaged and him in pain. Two great artists

[@MysticVic1]

1​@@TrippBurnett

[@TheContessa52]

RIP to the greatest comedian who ever lived! Genius and a great musician and humanitarian

[@Landrew0]

He passed? When? I hadn't heard.

[@rotciv1492]

@@Landrew0 Man, he was born in 1888. It would be quite impressive if he was still alive.

[@Landrew0]

@@rotciv1492 I joked.

[@aaron-n]

@@rotciv1492 I didn't even know he was sick.

[@daveidmarx8296]

@@aaron-n Thank you, Norm.

[@johnbarrett3437]

I always loved Harpo's antics in those great Marx bros films. Didn't realise until now how funny he was .God broke the mould when he created this genius.

[@Sou1defiler]

The folding legs on the table was absolute fucking genius

[@melissacooper4282]

Harpo is my favorite Marx Brother. There was one time I went trick or treating dressed as Harpo. Instead of saying "Trick or treat" I honked the horn at every door. The homeowners really lol at that!

[@tonycanabal1659]

I was Harpo for Halloween too! I didn't speak either but I honked my horn and made hand gestures to get candy. The best costume ever in my life!

[@tmwmeridian]

I was 12, wore my grandfather’s overcoat had a horn and a “Trick or Treat” sign on a stick. Best costume I ever had.

[@KempoWarrior1954]

Haha! Great 😊

[@tvanderson1960]

I often dressed as Harpo with my blonde curly hair at summer camp 😅

[@thelastmotel]

He was the audience favourite back in the 20s and 30s

[@HeartoftheDragonColo]

Harpo was a wonderful actor and pantomimist. From reading "Hello, I Must Be Going," a biography of Groucho, I found that every single person that remembered him knew him as a truly gentle soul and wonderful person. No one had anything bad to say about him-not one. When fans would ask Groucho if Harpo could talk, he would usually answer, "No." Of course he could, but though Groucho tried to get him to portray another character, Harpo would never do it. Yet once he picked up the harp in a film, the comic genius was gone, replaced by the musical prodigy. Blessings on you, sweet spirit!

[@ricknoriega6908]

We should all be like Harpo and be child like, sweet and innocent. The world is his playground.

[@harlow743]

not so innocent when it comes to chasing blondes

[@tjlanz1506]

Harpo always makes me😂😂😂😂😂😂smile and he doesn't even have to talk. He's one of a kind!

[@davidmlee3573]

Goode Job, Mr. Hagl ! If I recall correctly, Harpo went as far in formal education to the second week of second grade, then he climbed out of a classroom window and never went back. We should all be so brave.

[@surrealfarm]

Actually, he was thrown out of that window by other students.

[@erzbet07]

Wonderful compilation with accompanying music. Harpo Marx was a treasure...still delighting new generations.

[@mattanderson6336]

Arthur Marx (Groucho's son) 'The only time I ever saw my father cry was the day Harpo died.'

[@roguedoge2479]

That cup of coffee gag is my favorite bit he ever did

[@stellaormes7404]

He was a wonderful harpist and pianist too - he was my favourite Marx brother.

[@jolinkarlsson8569]

My favorite he is adorable 💕💕💕🥰 the start is me ”i want you to meet the sweetest little thing in the whole wide world”

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

I found a picture of Harpo on top of Buster Keaton

[@giuseppeverdi1253]

"A night at the Opera" is where he is at his absolute best! I guess I am partial to that movie, since it was the first time I saw the Marx Brothers.

[@KempoWarrior1954]

How can anyone not love this man!

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Harpo Marx proof of the storytelling adage: Show, don't tell. Whichever critic whose review caused Harpo to stop speaking on stage and screen deserves a lot of thanks for helping to create this joy.

[@LISA61367]

Can’t help but love Harpo❤️

[@stevie68a]

The coffee gag is great, especially that it's steaming hot.

[@hermoglyph2255]

As, a lad I always found Harpo a bit frightening - always afraid he was going to do something REALLY outrageous. In real life apparently he was a particularly nice man.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

That was just magical, lovely to see him featured, they are still after all these years the most perfect and original group of stars ever for me, Like the masters before them Laurel and Hardy the comedy just doesn't age. In the UK we often say No Monty Python without Spike Milligan's Goons but I thing the Marx brothers are an important element also. Thank you for this, I laughed all the way through

[@larryjohnson6265]

I've been looking for the puppet sequence at 4:18 forever! thank you!

[@coachgoltzbizpro23]

Wish I could find some of these movies! Absolute classics!

[@lucaromanelli4664]

Harpo was like a cartoon character turned to life.

[@natalieweiss5193]

Harpo has been my favorite person since I was in diapers. This is a great compilation! Thank you!

[@daveidmarx8296]

With any luck, he'll still be your favorite the next time you wear diapers.

[@jkrfan7]

I dressed as Harpo for Halloween this year

[@melissacooper4282]

I once dressed as Harpo for Halloween in 1991. I was the only one that went as Harpo.

[@fourtrees44]

Love listening to him playing the harp. :-)

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Harpo Marx was the inspiration for Wakko Warner. What a genius.

[@niawhite7457]

So that explains where Wakko's Gookie face came from I love it!!😄😄😁😁

[@DantheToonMan]

Faboo!

[@Hadassah635]

No wonder Wakko is my favorite character in the og Animaniacs (I hate the reboot) because I absolutely love Harpo!

[@briangoldy8784]

One of Many Human Traits is to Make People Laugh.......What a gift........

[@scootscootriot1020]

Harpo learned to play the harp himself. The harp player for The Cleveland Orchestra said that she would NOT recommend someone doing that. But, Harpo was one of a kind.

[@RandomWolf]

I found the scene where he pulls a hot, steaming cup of coffee out of his pocket so funny 😂

[@grahamblack1961]

I always loved Harpo when I was a kid, he represents total anarchy. By all accounts he was a lovely guy in real life. Chico was the smartest and a womaniser, Groucho was a somewhat bitter character especially in later life.

[@teslagirl1]

Maybe...but Groucho loved Harpo and and was so happy to see him when Harpo came on his tv show that it was hard for Groucho to speak. Sometimes a person known for their cold, distant, prickly character is in fact a person of deep feeling and that cool exterior conceals the warmest of hearts.

[@phapnui]

@@teslagirl1 True and well put.

[@09ericthered]

Chico lost a lot of money by way of gambling so not that smart. Still very funny though.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@09ericthered Good Lord. Do you have ANYTHING positive to say about the Marx Brothers or are just here to make negative comments?

[@willemverheij3412]

Groucho really needed Harpo in his life I think, to help him look on the bright side. A pity Harpo had not lived longer, just imagine the two of them sitting at the Dick Cavett show, Harpo as himself and not in character.

[@TheLarryburns84]

This is absolutely brilliant.

[@valeriemiller3374]

Harpo is hilariously funny, just love watching these old flicks.

[@firefightergoggie]

I can't look at him and keep a straight face. He's just too crazy.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

He’s a maniac

[@jolinkarlsson8569]

Crazy but cute

[@ScorpionFiore]

I just can’t even think about him and keep a straight face.

[@hughcorston9645]

I grew up with these brothers on TV in the 60s. They are brilliant and very finite comedians.

[@brainwaiver1]

My grandmother was a Marx Bros fan and we watched their movies together in the fifties. That's what messed me up in life, see the chaos.

[@dale8809]

Wow....they don't make them like this anymore. True talent

[@loganroark3916]

The absolute best at physical comedy

[@charlespetersoniii2066]

Thank God for that! I don't think that we could handle it if there were more than one of him! Truly the best!

[@patricksobb5762]

Hilarious, still love watching the old Marx Bros films. Thanks for the post 👍

[@FRANKTHRING1]

Lovely selection. He can make one laugh and cry.

[@bumble1612]

"scram,blow"..and the table, omg, i'm laughing like an imbecile.

[@depaola63]

the GREATEST EVER ! Chaplin right there too, but " Harpo " was funny as it gets and played the Harp to PERFECTION !! ...I love him, they say he was the most giving , humble, beautiful man too ! ( I am 55 and remember my Grandparents telling me and watching their movies ! CLASSIC !

[@harlow743]

Like Chaplin , Keaton and Harold Lloyd ....Harpo Marx was a silent GENIUS!!

[@Juliaflo]

bobo brazil Don't forget John Bunny and Flora Finch.

[@harlow743]

@@Juliaflo You have great knowledge of the silent era yes many others that I don't consider to be quiet on the level of the 4 I mentioned....Ford Sterling , Harry Langdon , Larry Seeman , Roscoe Arbuckle , Ben Turpin , Mabel Normand...

[@Juliaflo]

@@harlow743 .Thank you, and God be with you.

[@rocking0067]

4.29 the tears are rolling down my face 😁

[@davewanamaker3690]

A great tribute to one of the comedy greats!

[@talldrinkomusic]

Nice compilation. Glad to see him on the harp. His harp is often played at the Sheraton Palace in San Francisco.

[@surrealfarm]

His harp was donated to Israel after his death.

[@talldrinkomusic]

@@surrealfarm The one in SF had his name on the case and they had a photo of him with it. Certainly he had more than one harp.

[@theking-nz1ut]

I grew up watching the Marx brothers movies. They are still just as funny. They were legends. 👍👍👍

[@TnseWlms]

What I said: "Hi, welcome to the Halloween party. I'm Harpo." What I should have said: "Honk!"

[@melissacooper4282]

I went to a party dressed as Harpo. It was a Marxist party where the guests are supposed to dress as their favorite Marx Brother. I greeted one of the other guests by giving him my leg! Lol!

[@TnseWlms]

@@melissacooper4282 Did anyone dress as Karl Marx?

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

TnseWlms 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stirgy4312]

I can't think of anyone better than him in that slapstick surreal cerebral humor with flashes of musical brilliance. Jim Carrey was incredible in his Hay Day, Laurel and Hardy, buster Keaton...

[@petermcgill1559]

Screwball things like this always appeal to me. Uninhibited, free, natural, even crazy.

[@TheEmodarkangel19]

😌 he was always my favorite

[@ashleyp.4932]

Absolutely brilliant! I always love that bit where he takes a cup of coffee out of his trouser pocket. In a biography of the Marx Brothers it was stated that in a very early film, Harpo did speak, but he got such poor reviews that he vowed never to speak on film again.

[@kisslordorochimaru]

Royal Fool I heard that too.They said he had a hard time with the lines and felt more comfortable not talking while still being hilarious and that takes great talent,which he had.

[@winstonelston5743]

There is a KZbin clip of him saying "Honk! Honk!" in a social setting and in conservative business clothes.

[@George-ip7cw]

According to Groucho, Harpo was not good at memorizing dialog and adopted the mute character during their vaudeville days for that reason. In their first talkie (The coconuts, 1929) Harpo's character already does not speak. Nor does he in any later. There is one KZbin video with some voice clips. He had a typical metropolitan NY Jewish accent.

[@eddiesanchez1899]

Harpo always got the best lines.

[@texasmimi5566]

Good one!

[@ziggymorris8760]

Harpo was a troll well before the Internet existed lol

[@niawhite7457]

Ha! Harpo would troll even the internet trolls

[@tracybuckley8243]

Loved this harpo is my favourite xx

[@4tom2u]

Brilliant ! Love Harpo, what a guy.

[@niawhite7457]

0:05 Announcer: And now I want you to meet the sweetest little thing in the world! Harpo comes out looking silly😋😝 Me: You're so right Mister, He's Adorable!!!😁😁😄😄😄😋😋😋😊😊😂😂😁😁😍😍😍😆😆😆🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💝💝💞💞💖💖💖💋💋💋💋

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

He’s a maniac

[@niawhite7457]

@@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635 an adorable maniac!

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Nia White I love Harpo because he’s like a child

[@niawhite7457]

@@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635 so do I he's my favorite Marx Brother

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Nia White There’s is this question: Why Harpo looks cute?

[@skooshy621]

I have loved him since I was a child. Thanks from the heart, Harpo.

[@johnnyjames7139]

TV stations ran Marx Bros. movies in the 1950's in LA area. I love them.

[@michaelmaldonado7369]

I have heard many people who rant and rave about what Chaplin did comedically without speaking a word. Nothing he did comes close to the greatness that was Harpo.

[@waltsudol7198]

One of the greatest comedians ever , multi talented a truly wonderful human being who will always be loved by all

[@berthamartin9742]

Love Harpo...such an amazing talent...

[@Dante_Alligheri]

i love this guy

[@carlruf9037]

Harpo. Great actor, great comedian, great harpist, and wonderful human being and American. I think the Marx brothers were the most entertaining of the comedy genre of that generation. In my estimate the funniest comedy teams during that time in order of preference were: 1. The Marx Brothers 2. Laurel and Hardy 3. The Three Stooges,.... and finally 4. Abbott and Costello.

[@NickOwens]

Like a real life cartoon character.

[@Urieru2442]

"On the bottom. On the bottom." *Proceeds to stamp baby's butt* This one broke me! hahahahahahaha

[@jamesbrennand9909]

These were the days of true talented comedians and actors great stars of the sliver screen when people like them died the world lost pure geniuses and was a much poorer place to be but at least we can still marvel and enjoy their performances and laugh along with them RIP

[@josephdorenbos2633]

Harpo is brilliant. Every talent he showcased was born from some tragedy he experienced in youth or in vaudeville.

[@bebopreview3187]

I was hoping to see the scene from 'Day at the races' when Harpo is trying to convince Chico that Groucho (Dr Hackenbush) is about to be framed - that's my favourite Harpo moment.

[@zacredman9137]

Excellent scene!🤣👍

[@ziggymorris8760]

“On the bottom” LOL

[@feralbluee]

wonderful!!!! thanks so much :) 😛

[@MJo-ng4lj]

Harpo had a nice vibe. Rest in Paradise cute comedic caring one. ❤😂🎉

[@theresaholguin699]

Harpo was the greatest comedian that ever lived. Long live Harpo and The Marx brothers. Great comedians that ever lived.

[@DragoBalboa]

He was truly "one-of-a-kind"....what a guy.....soooooo funny :-) !!!

[@codzydee1870]

remember him playing blue moon on the harp thought it was amazing very funny guy like curly out of the 3 stooges!

[@Concetta20]

Thanks for taking the time to make such delightful compilations!

[@PaulHagl]

Anna Ferrara you're welcome

[@kisslordorochimaru]

Awesome work on this tribute to Harpo! And I love the music in it too! ❤️

[@evenflow5491]

Chico: walking idiocy Groucho: walking wit Harpo: walking chaos Zeppo: walking down the street

[@tron3entertainment]

The only silent actor to work in talkie films.

[@joacoar69]

Simplemente...un genio.

[@petermcgill1559]

Well edited. Thank-you :)

[@austinmorrison6953]

An amazing acrobat, a talented musician on the harp, one of the funniest men ever to come outta the 20th century. Truly the greatest clown who ever lived

[@Meryartist]

When he plays the harp, it’s magical

[@valeriemiller3374]

This was my saturday afternoons growing up.😀

[@krhub79]

Thanks for posting this compilation!! I've loved the Marx Bros. since I was a kid. Their movies were old when I was little, but it was always funny & still is. I used to watch w/ my grandfather. Harpo was more than a comic genius, he was a great American too. His life story is fascinating and his harp playing is beautiful.

[@ziggymorris8760]

His timing was incredible.

[@willemverheij3412]

His real life was pretty crazy too. He was once arrested for charges of vagrancy, illegal entry into a house and impersonating himself. While dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm.

[@TheGodParticle]

Willem Verheij lol he always came across as randy, I'm guessing he had more ass than a toilet seat. Cheers

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

AND SEYMOUR MINTZ GOT HIM BUSTED ABOUT 3 TIMES FOR FAILING TO PAY THE TAB.

[@michaelramsey82]

How can you be arrested for impersonating yourself?

[@willemverheij3412]

Well he crashed a friends costume party with some other people. On the way back home the couple he drove with kept arguing so he got out to walk instead and then the police found him in his costume because he wasn't allowed to walk there. Vagrancy. At the station he asked them to call his brother Chico. But Chico didn't know he was going to that party either so presumed they didn't have his brother there. Hence impersonating himself became a charge against him as well. He was cleared of all this a little later though. I believe a friend was reached by phone or showed up, it's been a while since I read the book.

[@83j049733rfe4]

"While dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm." If a movie ever gets made of these fuckers, then they've got to include that. BUT ONLY WITH THE WILHELM SCREAM.

[@guyhancox4246]

I've just finished reading "harpo speaks", his autobiography, and I love the guy even more than I did before. He was an amazing talent, lived the most amazing life and was cleared a lovely chap.

[@genevievesmith6123]

Bless you for these compilations!