Harpo Marx : Harpo Speaks?

Harpo Speaks?

Does anyone know of any Marx Brothers documentary or anything on film in which Harpo is interviewed and actually speaks? Or for that matter, where ANY of the brothers speak out of character?

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Yes, actually, at long last I finally found a recording of Harpo's voice. It's on a DVD called "Inside the Marx Brothers" - which, curiously, doesn't seem to be listed on IMDB. Anywayz, at the end of this documentary, which also features other rare footage of the Brothers, there is an audio clip of Harpo telling a short story. It was for his autobiography, "Harpo Speaks". Apparently, some recordings were made of him telling stories for his book, presumably to help with the writing of it. I guess the film makers finally got their hands on at least one of those recordings. His voice sounds nothing like I expected. It's deep, melodious, and eloquent. He sounds like a gentlemen (to me, anyway). This DVD also includes out of character interviews with Groucho and Chico as well. I found it at "Eddie Brandt's Saturday Matinee" Video Store in Los Angeles. Good luck finding it!

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Doesn't "Inside the Marx Brothers" also feature the uncut first act of "I'll Say She Is," which the Brothers filmed as a trailer for Monkey Business for "The House that Shadows Built?" If so, I seriously need to find this DVD.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Yes, yes it does. And it's really interesting to see the whole thing, because you can see how their act progressed, and how it is clearly the origin for several of the bits they did in their films - especially "Monkey Business", with the whole consecutive Maurice Chevalier imitations. And as for recordings of Harpo speaking, I recently discovered a website that not only has the recording of Harpo speaking for his book, but also has a brief recording of his voice that was made accidentally during a film premiere!!

Check it out here: http://www.harpomarx.net/talking.html

:)

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Thanks Lalalu10! I'm 45 yrs old & never thought I'd get to hear him speak. I have always imagined that his voice had a higher pitch from what I read from his autobiography. A real treat! Thanks again.

Watch 'em Abe, I seen 'em do some things!

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Your welcome! And your welcome to all the other lovely people who thanked me for posting this link! :)

Yeah, I too always imagined that his voice would have a lot higher pitch, and wouldn't sound that great. But wow! His voice was beautiful, rich, and so melodious - it's like the perfect radio voice! But maybe that's one of the main reasons why he never spoke in public, because his deep, mature voice did not match the crazy, childl 111c ike character he always played. :)

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Very, very cool lalalu10. Thanx so much. I never thought I would hear or see Harpo talk.

~Mrs. Jim Hawkins and Mrs. Captain Jack Sparrow
~Rumrunner

Re: Harpo Speaks?

I caught a clip of a dockside interview, and 2000 for the life of me I can't remember what kind of program it was in - it must have been some bio show about the Marx Bros. Harpo had just disembarked from the ocean liner and some interviewers were pushing microphones at him. He muttered something like, 'What do you want me to say?' and that was it.

Anybody else remember this one? It's been years, but I know I saw it.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Thanks for the link, Lalalu!


Are you going to pull those pistols or whistle "Dixie"?

Re: Harpo Speaks?

I've been coming to the IMDb message boards since I got a computer, like two years ago. I have posted on the Rory Cochrane board (MMMMMMMMM...Rory Cochrane, drool...) and the board for 24 and a bunch of other stuff. It never occurred to me until I was in bed last night that Ishould see if anyone had posted anything on the Harpo Marx board. I had to work today, then when I got home I had forgotten about it. WOW!!!!! am I glad I remembered!!!!!! I can't believe I just heard Harpo's voice!!! I guess I'm in the minority in that I never assumed his voice would be higher...but I never thought I'd find out!!! Thanks, lalalu 10!!!!!!!!

_________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own.....Adam Savage

Re: Harpo Speaks?

HARPO AND HIS BROTHERS WERE NOT KNOWN MUCH WITH OUT THERE CHARACTER, MAY BE ZEPPO WOULD BE THE ONLY STRAIGHT IN THE BUNCH. HARPO SPOKE IN PUBLIC ONCE BUT ONLY WHEN HE RETIRED AND I DONT THINK THAT WAS NOT EVEN RECORDED FOR TV SHOWING. ID GIVE ANYTHING TO HEAR HIM.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Did you check out Lalalu's link?



Are you going to pull those pistols or whistle "Dixie"?

Re: Harpo Speaks?

I WOULD WITH OUT A DOUBT PULL THE PISTOLS.
I HAVENT SEEN IT. WHAT IS THE ADDRESS?

VALENTINO DE LA ROSA

Re: Harpo Speaks?

http://www.harpomarx.net/talking.html

Are you going to pull those pistols or whistle "Dixie"?

Re: Harpo Speaks?

That's a great page, I'd never heard "Waltz Me Around Again Willie".

One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I'll never know.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Seems to me in the late 50's, I saw an episode of Person to Person, hosted by Edward R. Murrow, in which they toured Harpo's home and he spoke throughout. Anyone else remember this?

Re: Harpo Speaks?

You're thinking of Groucho's home, he toured his house and garden, introduced his daughter Melinda. Harpo wouldn't have done that. He appeared on the Today Show to promote his book, but without speaking a word.

_____________________
Tally-ho, my fine saucy young trollop!

Re: Harpo Speaks?

No, I also remember one with Harpo. I remember his daughter talking about how she could ride horses in Palm Springs instead of Beverly Hills.

I also remember the Groucho one.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

metalman091, check out the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57M3EWfGj4o

Re: Harpo Speaks?

Thanks for posting. Harpo's silence did not make it awkward.

Re: Harpo Speaks?

You can hear Harpo speak during t 1354 he last half of the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19prL2ue4pk
Top