Classic Comedians: Harpo Marx on 1950s TV

The art of pantomime is nearly lost in most films and TV (Great Britain’s late Benny Hill was the last great TV practioner). And here is a rarity: Harpo Marx, who never spoke in his role in the classic Marx Brothers vaudelle and movies comedy team…appearing in a 1959 episode of the Kraft Music Hall. It’s videotape so it looks more “live.” If you’re a younger TMV you can see what made Harpo so endearing and — for serious students of the art of comedy – enduring. He appears here with Milton Berle (who I met as a San Diego Union reporter when I did the story about the Three Stooges getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard. Berle was VERY nice to me and gave me a great quote for the story). It’s classic vaudeville-style schtick that’s still fun to watch. If you’re a comedy student keep a close eye on Harpo’s persona and stage business: