Submitted by L0st_in_the_Stars t3_xsuk3l in OldSchoolCool
Comments
isecore t1_iqmt9nw wrote
My favorite story about Harpo is how he was friends with Salvador Dali. Harpo got his nickname because he loved playing the harp, so Dali gifted him a harp that had barbed wire for strings. Harpo sent back a photo of himself with a sad face and bandages on his hands.
Theblackswapper1 t1_iqnnr47 wrote
He apparently lived pretty close to Groucho, and he'd regularly welcome Groucho's daughter into the home.
There's a You Bet Your Life clip where Harpo makes a surprise guest appearance to promote his book. Groucho isn't exactly thrown off his game, but you can tell he's genuinely happy to see his brother.
One last story that I guess is a little bittersweet but speaks to how sweet and happy Harpo was, evidently Chico was a compulsive gambler. Someone once asked him "how much money do you think you've lost over the years just from gambling?".
Chico said "ask Harpo how much money he's saved over the years and you'll have your answer."
L0st_in_the_Stars OP t1_iqnpjsl wrote
Gilbert Gottfried used to do an imitation of the elderly Groucho, that mostly consisted of explaining that the Marx Brothers continued to work into their later years "because Chico needed the money."
DavoTB t1_iqmk9iu wrote
This is a unique shot!
Bluffdrawing51 t1_iqmgjrx wrote
I loved horse feathers.
Although I think duck soup was my favorite.
Vallien t1_iqmcd9o wrote
Very cool. Haven't seen this photo of her before
Differ447 t1_iqmmq8x wrote
That's saying a lot on this sub. But its definitely a good thing.
hushus42 t1_iqmgf0q wrote
I’ve never known about this person but I get some serious Gene Wilder vibes
woolfchick75 t1_iqmmodw wrote
The Marx Brothers were great. Harpo was the sweetest of all.
Theblackswapper1 t1_iqnoj6q wrote
The joke that always gets me is the scene in Duck Soup when Groucho is trying to "prove" that Harpo isn't a reflection. When Groucho spins around, the workaround Harpo comes up with is genius. I absolutely love that they were smart enough to make that joke back then.
AdGirlChrissy t1_iqoap32 wrote
Similar scene when he guested on I Love Lucy!
icancheckyourhead t1_iqmi8d1 wrote
While I see what you were saying, if you look at his face that dude is straight up Elijah Wood
doktorjake t1_iqn7umo wrote
My eyes are up here, Amelia.
_stef_lezy_ t1_iqmeraq wrote
‟Harpistcally” yours?
L0st_in_the_Stars OP t1_iqmfb46 wrote
Yeah. Harpo said that he quit school in the 2nd grade, after bullies threw him out of a classroom window.
sleepyj910 t1_iqmjhp5 wrote
A proper defenestration!
Freeeeedommmmmm t1_iqmmb6o wrote
So that’s where she was!!! All this time!
dhkendall t1_iqn4js8 wrote
Hanging out with Harpo? They’ve definitely been in the same place for decades.
Al3xDaW1ck3d t1_iqmflv1 wrote
This is a beautiful nugget from hstory. A great post.
Cheshire_Jester t1_iqmymf3 wrote
Will you tell me where you’re going to disappear…alright, keep your secrets
trongzoon t1_iqmbvo8 wrote
Accomplished-Hat6928 t1_iqmhx3d wrote
That’s a great one!
Representative-Two43 t1_iqn8ix0 wrote
Why are they adorable she’s giving off robin vibes from stranger things
Jmazoso t1_iqowif6 wrote
Honk
CharlieChuckyCharles t1_iqqh8ik wrote
I really like the band NSYNC. My favorite member is Harpo. I think there’s a Harpo
SilenceDoGood4 t1_iqmfs6n wrote
It looks like a western
SubiWhale t1_iqn50di wrote
That’s just Merry Pippin and Eowyn…
L0st_in_the_Stars OP t1_iqmaxq7 wrote
As best I can make it out, the inscription reads: "Harpistically Yours. xxxx Harpo Marx".
From all I've read about him, including his delightful autobiography Harpo Speaks, Harpo was one of the sweetest and happiest people ever. He enjoyed a contented marriage with four adopted children. When he was asked by George Burns in 1948 how many children he planned to adopt, he answered, "I’d like to adopt as many children as I have windows in my house. So when I leave for work, I want a kid in every window, waving goodbye."