THE SOUND OF SILENTS
You sure you can’t move? –what Harpo Marx “said” to the tied-up hero (Richard Dix) before punching him in the 1925 film TOO MANY KISSES (fortunately, the film survived)
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Italicized above are the only words ever “spoken” (but not heard) on film by the man whose birthday we note today, HARPO MARX. The audience didn’t hear those five words because the film was a “silent” — “talkies” didn’t come on the scene until 1927, two years before the first of thirteen Marx Brothers movies (1929-49). Harpo spoke in none of them.
But why, oh why-o, should I try-o to “bio” Harpo, when here-o you can click on the official thing from his offspring:
Because Harpo associated with Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and other wits in the famed Algonquin Round Table repartee, I expected to turn up a number of witty Harpo Marx quotes for this piece. No such luck — I found only one I enjoyed enough to post here (both the “she” referred to in the quote, and who it is addressed to, are unknown):
“She’s a lovely person. She deserves a good husband. Marry her before she finds one.”
One quote being three quotes short of a gallon, I shall return to giving you “the silent treatment” with a quota of four quotes of silence said by forethoughtful others:
“Listen to the sound of silence.” –Paul Simon, American singer, songwriter, and actor
“Silence is golden unless you have kids, then it’s just plain suspicious.” –anonymous
“If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, what a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth!” –A. P. Herbert, English humorist, writer, and politician
“I believe in the discipline of silence and can talk for hours about it.” –George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and critic
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Since I didn’t give Harpo the last word, I’ll let him give his audience the last laugh….and though he doesn’t speak, you’ll hear captivating sounds escape his lips 2:42 into this clip:
Bravo, Harpo!
EPILOGUE: Listen — 90+ years after the “silents” ended*, you can still hear….
*with the exception of two Charlie Chaplin masterpieces in the 1930s, CITY LIGHTS and MODERN TIMES
calmkate 4:24 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
wow Harpo is actually playing that harp! Love his whistle 🙂
SnG’s song is a real favourite … thanks for the memories!
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mistermuse 9:25 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
You’re welcome, Kate. I too love Harpo’s whistling in the Marx Brothers Musical clip, and I can’t imagine anyone not loving Simon & Garfunkel’s THE SOUND OF SILENCE (except Trump, who is incapable of appreciating the sound of silence if you paid him).
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calmkate 5:09 pm on November 23, 2019 Permalink
doubt he even knows what ‘silence’ means … not much between his ears except fluffy hair!
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Don Ostertag 8:40 pm on November 23, 2019 Permalink
When i am in a funk I watch a Marx Brothers movie or listen to a favorite song like Sound of Silence.
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masercot 7:47 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
I’m a HUGE Marx Brothers fan.
Harpo adopted several children because he and his wife couldn’t have any of their own. His aim was, in his words, when he got home he’d have a child looking at him “from every window”…
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mistermuse 9:35 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
Likewise about the Marx Brothers. If they had made no other films than A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and DUCK SOUP, they would still be remembered forever (I hope).
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masercot 8:32 am on November 24, 2019 Permalink
My favorite, not to be contrary, is A Day at the Races. Why? The great jazz number in the middle of the movie as well as the Tootsie-Frootsie Ice Cream Scene…
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mistermuse 10:01 am on November 24, 2019 Permalink |
Although Races isn’t my fav Marx Bros. movie, I’m always up for a jazz number, though this one has a very brief “bug-eyed” shot or two that might be regarded as racist today:
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masercot 10:15 am on November 24, 2019 Permalink
I agree with that but I’ll put up with a little light racism to see a wonderful performance by a jazz artist who died far too young…
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mistermuse 7:40 pm on November 24, 2019 Permalink
I assume you’re referring to vocalist Ivie Anderson, whose gig in this film was one of her rare appearances apart from the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Her performance here (as well as on the many recording she made with the Duke) was indeed wonderful.
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Rivergirl 8:46 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
My father loved the Marx brothers and I grew up on all the films. Thanks for the memories!
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mistermuse 9:41 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
Thank you, Rg. Now I know (at least part of) why you grew up to be who you are (that’s wholly a compliment, btw).
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Ashley 9:07 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
Amazing to see and hear Harpo playing the harp. Captivating! So much talent!
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mistermuse 9:43 am on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
I couldn’t have said it better, Ashley.
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D. Wallace Peach 9:19 pm on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
“Silence is golden unless you have kids, then it’s just plain suspicious.” So true! Lol. Fun quotes and clips and a beautiful song from Paul Simon. 😀
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mistermuse 10:49 pm on November 23, 2019 Permalink |
“Fun quotes and clips and a beautiful song” — three for the price of one! Who says I don’t offer bargains? Thanks for the testimonial, Diana!
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magickmermaid 3:31 pm on November 25, 2019 Permalink |
Another big Marx Brothers fan here! Classic laugh fest!
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mistermuse 7:24 pm on November 25, 2019 Permalink |
You bet your life!
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tref 9:43 pm on December 1, 2019 Permalink |
Harpo playing the song “Alone” in night at the opera the very height of cinema. I could never grow tired of watching it.
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mistermuse 11:25 pm on December 1, 2019 Permalink |
That is one of many great moments in the movie that I never tire of watching, such as the stateroom scene. The 1930s was truly the height of film making.
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barkinginthedark 3:57 am on December 15, 2019 Permalink |
Priceless MM. Priceless. continue…
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mistermuse 9:49 am on December 15, 2019 Permalink |
Thank you. I’d give your comment a Like, but it doesn’t “take” when I click it.
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