Harpo Marx in Horse Feathers [1932]

[opera888able]

When that man played he was transformed. Look at the concentration on his face.

Is it true that he occaisionally used to guest conduct orchestras? I would not be surprised.

[yukicross199]

".....(amazing harp solo)......" -Harpo Marx

[MsJune54]

simply beautiful, Harpo always was my favorite Marx brother....a sweet, goofy, silly man who I've always loved.....I love watching his serious face when he's playing his beloved harp....rest in peace sweet man.

[ArabianHorse007]

he's so good! :D

[coasternut3091]

At 1:02 you can really see how much he and Chico look a like and how obvious it is that they were brothers

[stikndip]

I don't know why but this just makes me want to be a better person. Can't be bad ;o)

[xavier2482]

this is easily one of my most favorite scenes in a film EVER! puts a smile on my face every single time i view it. glad i own this movie!!

[purple12nix]

clown...musical virtuoso...genius.

[Razoryeer]

How did this video rack up FOUR dislikes?

[EvansvilleLT]

absolutely gorgeous. wish there was a HIGH quality recording of the audio.

[DarkBlueAce]

And then all she did was blow him a kiss.

[Acehh21]

Every Time is see and hear Harpo playing his Harp I must cry.

What a Genius he and his Brothers were.

Must be great Times.

Very good is his Book"Harpo speaks"

God Bless you Marx Brothers.

Regards from Hamburg/ Germany where we can speak "Plattdeutsch" like Minnie and Frenchie could:)

[hanno21664]

hi all, wanted to say, i teach american history at the high school level and i decided to add something new the history of comedy thought it would be a nice touch so i showed movies from 20s-50s everything i could think of to many to list here but i showed a few 20 minute clips of the marx brother movies with harpo playing. well after school some students came to me and said they were more entertained seeing that type of comedy than with todays comedy. that made my day take care all, thank you

[Kurtiz76]

SKILLAGE SON

[RockTheNight8]

Marx Brothers... kings of comedy :)

[capttheo1]

It's a crying shame that Groucho was never allowed the opportunity to play classical guitar on screen.

[Rev21Six]

forst Marxist movie I ever saw, on an old UHF channel to boot. They aired 5 movies on 5 consecutive nights and I was hooked. Horse Feathers and Duck Soup had me laughing so hard, my sides hurt for a week after. The Harpo harp solos, how does anyone in this day and age come even to CLOSE to the entertainment value?

[KatsuDe]

haha he is so cute in this, love it and love the marx brothers ! (=

[TheMADMAX3]

it just adds to the mood that he isn't miming and just makes everything more and more romantic and beautiful <3<3<3

[1MoreRoundbrother]

Harpo doesn't have to say anything on Valentine's Day.

[fm0410]

@1MoreRoundbrother Totally agree!!

[LiamSpammy]

I just watched all their movies last night for the Marx Bros. Marathon, my goodness, if you want real comedy....watch them. A night at the Opera was by far my favorite.

[ermayo93]

Harpo could even make a block of ice feel warm all over!!!!!!

Silence was more than definitely golden with this phenomenon of a man!!!!!!!!

[taoismishity]

please read "Harpo Speaks" his autobiography is the best I have ever read.

[mistyChacha]

@MelonHeadFilmz that's very true, he was 43 when he did this film but, to me he looks to be about 20ish

[venicequeen34]

As a harpist I can tell you that what he does at the end there is the harp equivalent of a Van Halen solo. Actually Harpo's like the Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante of harp combined. My hero :)

[TheOdderOne]

@venicequeen34 No, he's better than those guys by leaps and bounds.

[kendoyoda]

Maybe the Marx Bros. made youtube accounts and disliked this as a joke

[rodrigoraulsuarez]

Beautiful. I think this musical moments gave something really special to these movies. Something magical and emotive.

[DanRioNY]

@rodrigoraulsuarez Yeah you're right it gives it a timeless feel. 

[rodrigoraulsuarez]

@DanRioNY Yes! I like the way you write it down!

[perfectionless]

So THAT"S why they call him Harpo!

[fiendeBass]

@perfectionless No, he was called Harpo because its Oprah spelled backwards :D

[zbaby82]

I love that!

[585michael]

The doll face is Thelma Todd.

[paulspalace]

i think the most amazing fact is he is self taught.

[jros83]

@paulspalace uhhh not completely no. he started off with lessons then after getting the basics he developed his own technique, like most talented musicians.

[narshinga]

Who is the doll face he is serranading? im supriised no one mentions how lovely she is..

[superdavid002]

I mention Harpo in The Celebrity Song.

[jjeff9999]

great to see this...thanks

[ingerlander]

When I was a kid growing up in England in the 50's and 60's my mam sat me and my brother in front of the tele and said "watch this, it's very funny". It was a Marx brothers film and we laughed. It was funny then, funny now and forever.

[HarpoMarxy]

he was amazing! we luv u harpo <3

[zbaby82]

O' man! Very nice!

[jamiesteiner1]

His physicality was a huge influence for Michael Richards of Kramer fame. Harpo has never been bettered as far as comedy musicians go. Incredible guy.

[awesomewelles90]

Michael Richards is a racist idiot. Harpo was a lovely man and a true genius. Please don't compare the two. It's only insulting Harpo.

[dharmaseed]

A hundred years from now. people will still be listening to this and marvelling at how wonderful it was.

[janiscortese]

*happy sigh*

[catsim84]

its funny how harpo can be all smiles and joking but put a harp in front of him and he's all business. and he's amazing at what he does with a harp

[bondsee]

pure concentration !!

[awesomewelles90]

yeah it's funny how his face goes serious when he's concentrating although he does still make some funny faces sometimes when he's playing the harp.

[MelonHeadFilmz]

who wouldn't want to be able to serenade a girl the way Harpo does it here? Man, i wish i was as talented as this guy

[DaMama4]

The reason Harpo never spoke is because of his vaudeville days. He had a high squeaky voice at the time, and received a bad review from a critic. He swore he'd never speak on stage again, and he never did. Read his autobiography "Harpo Speaks". It's an excellent book and you'll really get the know the man after you read it!

[brolli4454]

i thought it was just part of his character, like graoucho had a fake mustache and chico wasn't really italian?

[Nancyzbee]

@DaMama4

Harpo Speaks is a very informative and entertaining read. You'll also find out how Harpo started on the harp and how later on he had to learn how to string and play it correctly. I don't think any of us care HOW he did it, just so long as we continue to be able to hear him play!

[fitz715]

@Nancyzbee I read that when he went for lessons later in his life all his teachers wanted to do was listen to him play.

[Nancyzbee]

@fitz715

I can understand. That's all I want to do!

[missgibbdreamer]

@fitz715 I rea that too. Even Harpo s son Bill says that. I may be wrong but when Bill was grown I think he taught his dad some basics. But Harpo never leaned to read music as far as I recall

[4freespeech]

They used to pick a song as a theme and

"wear it out" through the entire movie so

it would get catchy. Then people would

buy those old 78 records of the song from

the movie. 25c each then, so it didn't "break the bank". SMART

[MelonHeadFilmz]

it's amazing how, when he puts on that fright wig, he looks ageless. Even in a day at the races and go west, he looks much younger than he really was.

[rmaxinmass]

Sounds like Eddie Van Halen "Eruption" toward the end. Pretty awesome imo.

[freakoffreaks145]

Harpo never had a need to speak. His face, and his body, and his instrument spoke far more than words ever could've. :)

[dharmaseed]

The only scenes in the film where he's not wearing a smile. He was in perfect, joyful communion with his instrument.

[rakshasa7]

Thanks - you said what I was about to. I love watching Harpo's face when he plays...

[dharmaseed]

Not to mention what he makes come out of that harp.

[squishy3000]

She is so darn lucky. I'd give anything to be serenaded by Harpo :)

[freakoffreaks145]

That would be awesome.

[poopsicle65]

This is just AWESOME. All of his comedic goofyness just vanishes when he plays that harp. The ONLY time he was ever serious.

The Marx brothers were the most God gifted people ever born. :)

[bumblebeefightergirl]

In his book he said, when he sat down at the harp, he stopped being 'Harpo' and started being himself.

[Brollyhero99TOP10]

@poopsicle65

True, that!!!!! :D

[jradetzky]

@poopsicle65 that's because they were God's people (Jewish) ;)

[SSArcher11]

@poopsicle65 In "Night At The Opera" just before he plays, Harpo drapes his arms over his harp and looks to Heaven to give thanks for his gift. Very touching.

[yohannbiimu]

Harpo (Arthur Marx) was an amazing natural talent. I say he was a "natural" because he never really properly learned how to tune or play the instrument. He figured out how to do it on his own, regardless of whether he used "proper" technique or not. Even when he sought out harpists who knew the right techniques to teach him properly, they'd wind up being mere spectators to his amazing ability.

[LebannersHook]

He plays an amazing song in "Animal Crackers" also.

[ToastyOrangutan]

He plays amazing songs in all his movies! :D

[swordfish1929]

Has any one read Harpo's auto biography? it has become my fave book every one should read it

[HeraldMB]

I bought a copy of Harpo Speaks from Amazon, it's an amazing read! Especially if you're interested in the history of Old New York. :)

[friskystapler]

I like this song. It appeared in numerous parts of the episode. LIke the "horsefeathers" theme song

[paulcdallas]

G E N I U S

[aGlowingTeapot]

That's so cute ^^

I love Harpo xD

[gbay99]

Back when actors had talent.

[PompousLummox]

That little bit he plays from 1:55 to 2:05 is beautiful.

[rayugly27]

It Makes me want to learn how to play the harp

[bearhedded]

Start by learning the piano! Every harp teacher I've ever had, that was the first question she'd ask: "How long have you played the piano?"

It gets the basics of hand movement and coordination out of the way, on an instrument that is easier to find, WAY cheaper, easier to watch what your hands are doing, and most of all, you are putting your hands down ON something, not trying to grab at strings in the air!

I DON"T play piano, but I've been playing harp for nearly 40 years. really BADLY!!!!!

[8TITID]

after all that.. that girl better be putting out

[crazyprototype]

i love harpo and i love this movie.

[taleisyn]

harpo is the MAN!!!!!!!!!

[TitanicTarn1968]

does he play harp the 'normal' way, or dies he have a unique way of playing?

[TigerRocket]

Harpo is one the most gifted and genuine talents this world has had the good fortune of experiencing.

He was a self taught musician. His tuning was "incorrect," and he held the harp "incorrectly" too. In his later life he hired various professionals to teach him, but none of them wanted to touch what he did. The last one apparently ended up asking him for lessons in his tuning and playing style.

[MisterEvasion]

I like reading about anecdotes like this where an unorthodox method is at first pedantically dismissed, and then is ultimately lauded by the experts as outstanding.

[Hamsaouahamsine]

As Jonathan Richman sings about harpo: "If anyone can do it, how come nobody does?"

[frites007]

Beautiful. Does he get the gal?!

[jillybear326]

Yes he does, but so does everyone else!

[Makanai3]

Amazing, such talent!

[NiHaoKeisha]

Every single time I watch this I get chills!

[jetmech001]

no one in hollywood today even posesses one tenth the talent the Marx brothers had.

[taleisyn]

@jetmech001 ............. not even 100th of the talent

[awayno68]

@jetmech001 Back in those days, you HAD to be talented to be famous.

[arachnidflame90]

Aw, what a cutie! This video brings back so many fond memories of curling up on the couch with my dad. We always watched the Marx Brothers together. Harpo has always been my favourite. He can bring me from laughter to tears in a matter of seconds; he's truly amazing.

[RaleighDawlishRaynar]

Harpo - not Groucho? Whatever - it is still all "horse feathers"

inexplicably people playing the harp

Peter loyal Ex - High Inn ply - Capable Pip

[xxNenekoChanXX]

I think I just melted.

[Les2Doherty]

harpo is amazing

[Hhharpo]

Shut your mouth.

[KerryAllenAlex]

Does anyone play a Harp these days?

[MostDisgust]

Of course they do.

Do a Search for Harp and see how many YouTube videos result.

Nobody plays it with the charisma of Harpo Marx though.

[dkstojentin]

I loved him so much as a teenager and I love him so much now, and I'm thirty four! He breaks my heart every single time. I adore Harpo. I always will. He was a total sweetheart and I wish I could have met him here on earth. I know for a fact that we will be having tea together in the afterlife, and that no doctors orders will prevent him from playing his beloved harp in heaven. He was a true joy and a blessed person. It's just evident by watching him!

[brendaPMB]

I love Harpo too he`s so adorable.. too bad that not so many people in Argntina don`t know the Marx brothers (I`m argentinian btw)

[randallcraig]

Love you..miss..you...need you...want you Carol....forever...and a day

[sirtinycreep]

His face goes serious when playing the harp, as does his brotrher playing the piano. Brilliant talent andb concentration.

[roarkbarron]

For the record, I love Harpo, have studied all his movies, and absolutely believe he was one of the major forces in the 20th century to bring before the harp before the public consciousness.

I love and play the harp too, and about 30 years ago met one of the old Hollywood Harpists and learned a bit of that time in the 30's and 40's during Big Studio Hollywood movies. Gail Laughton was the Harpist how did overdubs for Harpo. I cannot say for certain which movies he overdubed. I love Harpo!

[ssstephenssskates]

2:00 sounds so wicked

[bluecheif88]

best movies EVER MADE none can compare past present future

[sharoneus]

Read "Harpo Speaks", his autobiography. And read "The Groucho Letters", and some of Grouch's other writings, and you'll get it right from the "harpist's mouth" about the Marxes and their musical abilities.

[mewcat95662]

I wish a guy would come to my window and play a song for me. Any instrument would do. Except maybe the kazoo. Ha ha!

[heI0Io]

Harpo was a wonderful Harpist. This is my favorite piece of his.

[BFL0W]

marx bros! <3

and that was the way to show someone your affection.. man how things have changed.

that guy was a genius.

[gogogodammit]

FYI to Marx fans: A Night at the Opera DVD includes a good commentary by Leonard Maltin about the movie and the Marx Bros. that I've watched over and over...I think it's just one of those things that any true fan ought to see. :)

[roarkbarron]

YES, MrNewportCustom that does make sense. I have heard recordings of Harp speaking, and his voice is not as charming as was his harp. I am a harpist, and your saying that he played out of tune interests me. Do you know any more about that? I have seen his live playing on the ed sullivan show, and the lucy show, and for sure that was real. I had also read that when Harpo started playing he had the harp on his left shoulder.

[gogogodammit]

Hello...i'm a huge Harpo fan, & i'd like 2 add that Harpo was self-taught (as were all the Marx Bros. on their respective instruments). He discovered later that evrything he did was "unconventional" (not necessarily "wrong"). He attempted 2 learn the proper way but it was near impossible. His instructor said "Forget it! You've been doing so well, it doesn't matter HOW you do it now." Not that I'd necessarily know the diff, but if Harpo played out of tune, I'm sre he knew it.

[antetdi]

I read somewhere that he did play "out of tune" because he learnt to play harp on an instrument that he initialy tuned with really low tension, and he never was able to switch to a normal tension harp.

[goldenagenut]

Wow. Beautiful,what virtuoso talents he and Chico were. Years ago I was interested in learning to play the harp, got ahold of a teacher, asked, she said no one had ever transcribed his solos, they were too complicated.

[roarkbarron]

Harpo did not talk because he had such a strong Brooklyn accent that he and the Marx family agreed it was best if he kept quiet It was overdubed..AND.. he was a wonderful self taught harpist, and has done more for the instument then almost anybody else , and get it out of just the orchestra pit. Years ago I got to meet the studio harpists from the 30's and 40's who knew Harpo. Gail Laughton, was the studio harpist who did the overdubs.

[MrNewportCustom]

You're mistaken, roark. Harpo's accent had nothingto do with it. He didn't speak because, back when the brothers were on Broadway, Harpo had a dificult time with his lines; he was always stumbling over them, so he decided to just do pantomime, instead. But you're right about him being self-taught with the harp, but what you may not know is that no one else couple play his harp, because it was completely out of tune. That's how he played it.

[marysdri]

The Marx Brothers didn't live in Brooklyn. According to Harpo's autobiography, they grew up on Yorkville, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, at a time when the elevated trains made the area kind of a slum.

[PaulPaddickFan]

now does Harpo ever talk in any of there movies??

i know he only wistles but ive always wanted to hear him talk!

[tenfed1861]

None of the Marx Bro. movies.I believe he does talk in some none-Marx Bro. movies.But I have only heard him speak once.

[480099]

its obvious. anyone who thinks harpo was a fake at playing the harp obviously heard him talking in one of the films!!

[DualThunder]

lmao

[h0gwartz]

Anyone suggesting it's fake probably isn't used to seeing actors/comedians with real talent.

[mjt1950]

The person who thinks this is fake probably thinks Britney has talent.

[airstation86]

one of the best songs for love

gives me a warm feeling that makes me smile with a happy tear in my eye

^-^

[bimmerfun]

Harpo was a fine musician.

[Glansfrenulum]

Overdubbed sure. But to say that someone else played the studio track is absolutely retarded. Just to be sure I looked it up and it says he played on the soundtrack! Dumbass!

[thecorduroysuit]

To anyone who claims that this is fake: please do your research before posting such an ignorant and small-minded comment. Harpo Marx was a brilliant musician, and was performing with his harp on the vaudeville circuit long before they ever made films.

[musicAMjm]

I believe he plays himself on the video - it is possible that he recorded it in advance in a studio but it is surely not fake as he moves his fingers absolutely the way he should if he is the player. I love the fun he can make out of it even with one flagolet, the glissandos at the end, etc, hahaha - I alwas adore him!!!! Thanks for this clip xxx

[ouidoggies]

siquephuc, I take it you have not heard "chocolate Rain" by Tey Zonday.

[siquephuc]

this is the only video that has ever made me cry

[bmier39]

Horse Feathers was made up of skits and musical numbers that they had been performing live in the Vaudiville circuit for 20 years. It's highly unlikely that this was dubbed...

[themindstripper]

w w w . h a r p c o l u m n . c o m /forum/message-view?message%5f­id=20932#86604

[roarkbarron]

It was fake, in that it was overdubbed by another harpist in the recording studio, Harpo could play harp well, but not as well as his professional contempories. He could finger sync well, as he really could play. One must remember that to get the best harp recording it would not be on a big film sound stage, but in a sound studio,.

Roark

[hannahspaw]

this is NOT fake. He was a master at playing his harp.

[mcul2112]

Now, now...let's not get mad at Roark. He wasn't cutting on Harpo, just saying that he wasn't quite as excellent as some pros. It's not really a huge slam. Just look at the love he brings to it. His presence is just as expressive...

[vcasalnova]

I'm sure the had technology for overdubbing and perfect syncronization in 1932.NITWIT.

[denshiblocks]

too bad youtube hasnt figured that technology out in 2007, ugh

[maxi937]

And you would obviously know, having been there in 1932. Idiot.

[aznbabessz]

That was beautiful! Does anyone have clips of the song he played on I love lucy?

[7blinky]

Gone,(sadly) but NOT forgotten,F U TitanicTarn

[TitanicTarn]

fake

[honeybeeisme]

Why you think this is a fake? For one thing Harpo received his nickname from playing a harp, not a banjo! Another thing, he played his harp in concerts back in the day. I'd like to see how he would have faked that. I did notice that some of the "finger work" didn't match up perfectly w/ the sound. You must remember that this was filmed ages ago AND some things that are modern on youtube don't always match up w/ the sound either. I'm just wondering what's you problem w/ this clip?

[Collectabletunes]

I first heard a piece of this song on an old Marx Brothers album from the 1970s. By far, it is the best solo that Harpo did in the Marx Brothers movies.

[johnab7]

What a talent. Never to be forgotten.

[gotthisname]

Beautiful.