Harpo is the greatest mime actor of all time, Chico was the lovable hustler, and Groucho was quickest wit ever on the silver screen. When they where all on screen together it was hilarious mayhem.
Slapstick (accessible to kids) + Talent (accessible to musicians) + Nuance (accessible to anyone with a sense of humor) = The rare form of comedy that does not date
In his pre-Marx Brothers days, Chico (then known as Leonard) would hire himself out as a pianist to bars, bordellos and what ever. Sometimes he would book himself into two places on the same night. When that happened, he would send his younger brother Harpo (then known as Adolph or Arthur) to take his place. The two resembled each other enough so that no one knew the difference.
Harpo is only mute in the movies; in real life he spoke with a soft Brooklyn accent apparently. This would have been when they were growing up, but if you ever see the Marx Brothers without their costumes they looked very similar to each other which is why they were able to do the mirror scene in Duck Soup so well.
Does anyone even have the talent to do something like this in a movie today? I'll take this over all the CGI explosions and parkour chase scenes and fart jokes and side boobs in all other movies put together.
Indeed. It does seem that humor has taken a nose dive since they performed above, but slapstick existed back then as well. The Three Stooges are perhaps one of the better known groups of that type.
Leonard and his younger brother Arthur doing what they do best without their little brother Julius, just being amazing and hilarious at the same time. Otherwise known as Groucho, Harpo and Chico. Big love for The Marx Brothers, they are simply brilliant. The greatest!
I love how the people in the audience couldn't contain their smiles. At 2:27 the women by the pillar has to turn around in laughter. And what I love even more is that they make me feel the same, even though I have seen this over fifty times.
I am so in love with the Marx Brothers- what talent- this is one of the best videos I have ever seen!!! so funny and charming- Chico and Harpo's faces and the playing - fantastic!!!
this was when we had talented people. not many around today. If in them days you didnt have talent, you were dragged off the stage. Oh! to be able to do that with these talentless stars of today earing millions
Chico and Harpo probably did prerecord this routine, so that is almost certainly them playing what you hear - but they're syncing to that recording, not playing live for the camera (any experienced pianist can tell you that by watching their hands). That would allow them to act instead of worrying whether they got the notes perfectly correct. Of course, when they toured their shows before shooting them as films, all musical routines were performed live every night. How I wish those had been filmed, when they were at the height of their virtuosity and spontaneity.
Your absolutely right about this, It was pre-recorded and synced in after. Not unusual of course, but I have seen some of their live stuff and it's just as good and funny. Yes, it can be at times a trifle difficult to play an instrument and act out a scene at the same time. A good example is the rock band Kiss. Let me explain. Their music is pretty easy to play, and so it makes it easy for the musicians (Kiss) to act out, e.g. jump around put on a show, without making mistakes and sounding too far from the studio version of their music. A simple 1-4-5 progression and a 4/4 drum beat and you got Kiss, pretty much. This example is Kiss Alive album 1975. That music sound damn good, no noticeable mistakes and very, very close to studio version. just like they recorded it in the studio, where some other band(s) may sound far from their studio version. The fact that Gene Simmons made the music very simple and easy to play, makes it easier for the band to act out, put on a show without making mistakes and sounding too far away from the original studio recording. Kiss Alive 1975 double album. The reason I'm using Kiss Alive 1975 double album, as an example is because I never forgot over the years the fact that it sounded so close to studio with out that typical live version of music you hear from other bands, they don't sound the same or as close as their studio music. It never usually does for most bands, but Kiss did a good job of it. Other bands, btw, have music that can be more complicated to play too, thus easier to make mistakes or sound far from studio version while playing live, and if you are acting out a show. Other factors are drug use and alcohol, this can make the difference too, as I'm sure you know.
Is it any wonder that the hippies loved these guys, when they re-discovered them on the TV late shows in the late '60's and early '70's? The perfect mix of innocence, playfulness, and anarchy... ...which is exactly how the Counterculture saw itself. (And, if you toked up before you watched them, you could pretend that you were the 5th Marx Brother...)
Aaahhh, the good old days, when TV was mainly pure and innocent. You know, Harpo's facial expressions remind me (in this video only) of Gilligan - from Gilligan's Island. Does anyone else see this? Also, watch Chico's fingers as they play. (Especially from 0:20 to 0:40) What talent!
Yea it was from the movie "the big store", their last movie before retiring (They made 2 more movies in 46 & 49 called 'a night in casablanca' & 'love happy'
This was a scene from the "Big Store" when they're trying to catch the "grey coats" :) My papa has the tape, and, like you, my brothers and I would rewind it so many times ^_^ Favorite scene!
as easy as breathing to them, back when you either had talent or you didn't....but it wasn't unusual, in fact it was almost a MUST to be multi talented back in those days.
Well, they weren't sitting in front of their TVs all day remote in one hand, beer in the other, or playing video games all day long, they had to go out and... *gasp* DO stuff XD
My grandfather would've spanked my behind if I tried to play his and my grandma's piano like that, particularly since it was a player piano. I only got away with it because I didn't know the difference. I miss that player piano and learned to change the rolls on it after that and play it that way for hours.
This is so EXCELLENT.My mother was a piano teacher and said that they made this look so easy, but it was far from easy, and has never ever been matched, I agree entirely with 'jedlad31'
This is bloody brilliant! My dad used to play this clip to us on video tape when we were kids and it delighted us! We used to have to rewind the tape and play it again and again! I actually can't wait to show my dad this! Bringing back so many memories! Thank you for uploading! Is this the one when they are in a shopping mall or something? I can't remember?
Actually, John Little..."The Big Store", the movie that features this number and a few other good things, IS available on DVD. Go to Movies Unlimited (my absolute FAVORITE source for EVERY MOVIE UNDER THE SUN)! I ordered this one along with "Go West". Great stuff! Doug
In every era, people say that what is being done today isn't as good as the good old days. That's because we only see what's good from the good old days. In modern times, the crap hasn't been sifted out yet. There was plenty of junk during the Marx Brothers' time too. And not everyone *liked* them, including my mother.
good one,, another way to look at it is,,,, there is just as much talent out there today,,, it is the public tastes that has changed and people are often famous for being famous,,, chicos shooting a note is fairly easy but his flicking takes hundreds of hours to master
This is so EXCELLENT.My mother was a piano teacher and said that they made this look so easy, but it was far from easy, and has never ever been matched, I agree entirely with 'jedlad31' They could do this with their eyes, they're hardly looking at the piano anyway. Sheer bliss!
Gilligan doesn't even compare to Harpo! I saw the keys move when Harpo played, but I guess he was better at the harp. You don't believe you'll ever miss these early talents til they're gone. I miss these guys, Laure&Hardy, Harold Lloyd (whom my father met once), Red Skelton, and others.
Oldies but goodies. Some of the entertainers of yesterday have more talent than what comes out today. There are very few songs now that appeal to me and age is not the reason why as I love music and art when it has real talent behind it and the artist has put their love into it and not stage managed etc. Maybe some artists should look at yesteryear to see the love that the artists had yesterday. Just an observation not a critique as such.
Harpo is the greatest mime actor of all time, Chico was the lovable hustler, and Groucho was quickest wit ever on the silver screen. When they where all on screen together it was hilarious mayhem.
TheBelegur also pure magic!
where is victor borge?
And Zeppo...was also there...
Such talented individuals!!! Anyone watching 2022?
Slapstick (accessible to kids) + Talent (accessible to musicians) + Nuance (accessible to anyone with a sense of humor) = The rare form of comedy that does not date
I concur absolutely, bigmarty, ....with out a doubt.
In his pre-Marx Brothers days, Chico (then known as Leonard) would hire himself out as a pianist to bars, bordellos and what ever. Sometimes he would book himself into two places on the same night. When that happened, he would send his younger brother Harpo (then known as Adolph or Arthur) to take his place. The two resembled each other enough so that no one knew the difference.
wow! I did not know that! that is interesting
MFPhoto1 Without the wig I presume. Did he talk then?
Harpo is only mute in the movies; in real life he spoke with a soft Brooklyn accent apparently. This would have been when they were growing up, but if you ever see the Marx Brothers without their costumes they looked very similar to each other which is why they were able to do the mirror scene in Duck Soup so well.
There is NO ONE in modern times that could do this wonderful performance. One of their many wonderful performances for the ages.
I love this, Harpo's fake laugh and then shaking of the head gets me every time.
I dearly love chico and Harpo together in all of their movies I love them
Does anyone even have the talent to do something like this in a movie today? I'll take this over all the CGI explosions and parkour chase scenes and fart jokes and side boobs in all other movies put together.
Indeed. It does seem that humor has taken a nose dive since they performed above, but slapstick existed back then as well. The Three Stooges are perhaps one of the better known groups of that type.
Yes.
La La Land!!!
Totally agree with you.... except for the side boobs. That comes first.
Brilliant peformers. I am a big fan of The Marx Brothers - such talent does not exist today. Thank you for uploading.
Leonard and his younger brother Arthur doing what they do best without their little brother Julius, just being amazing and hilarious at the same time. Otherwise known as Groucho, Harpo and Chico. Big love for The Marx Brothers, they are simply brilliant. The greatest!
They probably had doing that bit since childhood. Brilliant
born to play the piano! what charm and ease...................
I love how the people in the audience couldn't contain their smiles. At 2:27 the women by the pillar has to turn around in laughter. And what I love even more is that they make me feel the same, even though I have seen this over fifty times.
Never fails to put a smile on my face. Thanks for the video!
LOS HERMANOS MARX.....GENIOS........HARPO UN PIANISTA DE LUJO.........
Our beloved Marx Brothers make us dream , even more than yesterday and certainly less than tomorrow ! ...
They're UNIQUE.
Wow! They are amazing! I play the piano and know they are just brilliant!
harpo gets me every time
Brilliant. Hard to believe Chico wasn't really Italian.
I am so in love with the Marx Brothers- what talent- this is one of the best videos I have ever seen!!! so funny and charming- Chico and Harpo's faces and the playing - fantastic!!!
does talent like this exist today?
I love those guys!!
this was when we had talented people. not many around today. If in them days you didnt have talent, you were dragged off the stage. Oh! to be able to do that with these talentless stars of today earing millions
May be the only time I've seen somebody play defense on the piano!
Correct! "Big Store", 1941. Love this scene too!
The Marx Bros....So Talented.....Especially Harpo...
how could u be a marx bros. fan and miss this one--its classic
Holy CRAP!!!!.....I had no idea they were accomplished pianists!
Chico and Harpo probably did prerecord this routine, so that is almost certainly them playing what you hear - but they're syncing to that recording, not playing live for the camera (any experienced pianist can tell you that by watching their hands). That would allow them to act instead of worrying whether they got the notes perfectly correct. Of course, when they toured their shows before shooting them as films, all musical routines were performed live every night. How I wish those had been filmed, when they were at the height of their virtuosity and spontaneity.
Your absolutely right about this, It was pre-recorded and synced in after. Not unusual of course, but I have seen some of their live stuff and it's just as good and funny. Yes, it can be at times a trifle difficult to play an instrument and act out a scene at the same time. A good example is the rock band Kiss. Let me explain. Their music is pretty easy to play, and so it makes it easy for the musicians (Kiss) to act out, e.g. jump around put on a show, without making mistakes and sounding too far from the studio version of their music. A simple 1-4-5 progression and a 4/4 drum beat and you got Kiss, pretty much. This example is Kiss Alive album 1975. That music sound damn good, no noticeable mistakes and very, very close to studio version. just like they recorded it in the studio, where some other band(s) may sound far from their studio version. The fact that Gene Simmons made the music very simple and easy to play, makes it easier for the band to act out, put on a show without making mistakes and sounding too far away from the original studio recording. Kiss Alive 1975 double album. The reason I'm using Kiss Alive 1975 double album, as an example is because I never forgot over the years the fact that it sounded so close to studio with out that typical live version of music you hear from other bands, they don't sound the same or as close as their studio music. It never usually does for most bands, but Kiss did a good job of it. Other bands, btw, have music that can be more complicated to play too, thus easier to make mistakes or sound far from studio version while playing live, and if you are acting out a show. Other factors are drug use and alcohol, this can make the difference too, as I'm sure you know.
Harpo especially don't sync with the music. As a pianist, it's sorta disappointing.
They were really playing the piano. Pretty competent pianists!
Raw, unmitigated talent. Very very gifted men.
Is it any wonder that the hippies loved these guys, when they re-discovered them on the TV late shows in the late '60's and early '70's?
The perfect mix of innocence, playfulness, and anarchy...
...which is exactly how the Counterculture saw itself.
(And, if you toked up before you watched them, you could pretend that you were the 5th Marx Brother...)
We weren't pretending.
Zamanin guzel insanlari....cocuklugumda ne kadar gulerdim bu uc ahpab cavuslari seyrederken...
The name of this song is: Mamãe eu quero. Sing by Carmen Miranda!
Aaahhh, the good old days, when TV was mainly pure and innocent. You know, Harpo's facial expressions remind me (in this video only) of Gilligan - from Gilligan's Island. Does anyone else see this?
Also, watch Chico's fingers as they play. (Especially from 0:20 to 0:40) What talent!
Horse_Obsessed I agree with your statement, however I wanted to inform you this was a motion picture and not on tv.
Yea it was from the movie "the big store", their last movie before retiring (They made 2 more movies in 46 & 49 called 'a night in casablanca' & 'love happy'
THE BEST being the best. Well, it was they,( 'n Groucho ) what set the MARX so consistently high being both fun and funny !!
Must be great to be talented.
Everyone has talent
I'm so jealous.
back when stars had talent!
Yes they are really playing the piano
Pure genius!
Never missed a key! A PERFECT TEN!!!!!
son una maravilla unas manos de angeles increíble
i cant watch this without smiling
legendary. sure, its "playback", but oh my its simply genius.
Beautiful.
fabulous hands they have...
This was a scene from the "Big Store" when they're trying to catch the "grey coats" :) My papa has the tape, and, like you, my brothers and I would rewind it so many times ^_^ Favorite scene!
Thanks Mr Little, I like it a LOT !
I love this!!
Brilliant
my landlord says play it once more
as easy as breathing to them, back when you either had talent or you didn't....but it wasn't unusual, in fact it was almost a MUST to be multi talented back in those days.
Well, they weren't sitting in front of their TVs all day remote in one hand, beer in the other, or playing video games all day long, they had to go out and... *gasp* DO stuff XD
Haha! I just bought "The Big Store" from amazon for my dad for fathers day! :)
My grandfather would've spanked my behind if I tried to play his and my grandma's piano like that, particularly since it was a player piano. I only got away with it because I didn't know the difference. I miss that player piano and learned to change the rolls on it after that and play it that way for hours.
Love it!
Funnier every time I watch this.
@daviddivine714 The song is titled "Mamá Yo Quiero" (with a few other things thrown in for the sake of improvisation).
Harpo was the man! Gets me to laugh every time! Thanks Harpo!
The girl standing at 00:16 is amazing XD
Love this
Incredible playing
+TheGodParticle You dont see it these days , i wish the children would have
wonderful!!!
back when there actually was talent and music was enjoyable
talented brothers
Love 'em!!
This is so EXCELLENT.My mother was a piano teacher and said that they made this look so easy, but it was far from easy, and has never ever been matched, I agree entirely with 'jedlad31'
Awesome!
Que geniales, unos bestias😍
This is bloody brilliant! My dad used to play this clip to us on video tape when we were kids and it delighted us! We used to have to rewind the tape and play it again and again! I actually can't wait to show my dad this! Bringing back so many memories! Thank you for uploading!
Is this the one when they are in a shopping mall or something? I can't remember?
This is from a movie called The Big Store from 1941
I love them together 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Actually, John Little..."The Big Store", the movie that features this number and a few other good things, IS available on DVD.
Go to Movies Unlimited (my absolute FAVORITE source for EVERY MOVIE UNDER THE SUN)!
I ordered this one along with "Go West". Great stuff!
Doug
. . A Blast From the Past...
Love the part where they stand up and switch places while still playing. Classic.
Impresionante.
In every era, people say that what is being done today isn't as good as the good old days. That's because we only see what's good from the good old days. In modern times, the crap hasn't been sifted out yet. There was plenty of junk during the Marx Brothers' time too. And not everyone *liked* them, including my mother.
good one,, another way to look at it is,,,, there is just as much talent out there today,,, it is the public tastes that has changed and people are often famous for being famous,,, chicos shooting a note is fairly easy but his flicking takes hundreds of hours to master
Side splitting fun thanks
Probably the ghosts of the three Marx brothers themselves...wonderful clip
I have this movie on VHS Its so funny
This is so EXCELLENT.My mother was a piano teacher and said that they made this look so easy, but it was far from easy, and has never ever been matched, I agree entirely with 'jedlad31' They could do this with their eyes, they're hardly looking at the piano anyway. Sheer bliss!
Ahh yes ... I remember that old chestnut called talent !
How cool and funny!
Both Chico and Harpo were very talented but notice that Harpo hardly ever looks at the keys
The movie was called 'The Big Store'. :)
God they worked hard at being crazy!!!!
Gilligan doesn't even compare to Harpo! I saw the keys move when Harpo played, but I guess he was better at the harp. You don't believe you'll ever miss these early talents til they're gone. I miss these guys, Laure&Hardy, Harold Lloyd (whom my father met once), Red Skelton, and others.
They're in a "department store," which is sort of a 1930s version of a shopping mall.
how cute
It's from the Big Store apparently
Oldies but goodies. Some of the entertainers of yesterday have more talent than what comes out today. There are very few songs now that appeal to me and age is not the reason why as I love music and art when it has real talent behind it and the artist has put their love into it and not stage managed etc.
Maybe some artists should look at yesteryear to see the love that the artists had yesterday. Just an observation not a critique as such.
Chico and Harpo are practically identical. I think that's why they gave harpo the blonde wig, just so they looked different.
im pretty sure its true for Harpo, idk about the other brothers, tho. but i wouldnt be surprised !!!
I'm told it's an old Brazilian song, "Mama, Yo Quiero."
Yep, just verified it.
Their scripts had no lines for Harpo, of course. Under his name, the script would sometimes just say, "Harpo does something funny."
I used to be in a duet.the fish market duet.wed sing for the halibut.
super 👍 🙌
gosh, comedy channels like Disney or Nickelodeon can learn a lot just by looking at the way they play piano :\
The actual name is "Mamãe, eu quero". (in portuguese not in spanish)
:)
this is funny-
i love it