Harpo Marx's Voice Recorded in 1964 Unearthed
An intriguing audio tape has recently come to light featuring Harpo Marx, the quiet member of the Marx Brothers, speaking to an audience back in March 1964. The tape, which was found in a mislabeled box, includes his narration of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and a unique 'Red's Speech' delivered at a fundraiser for the Riverside Symphony Orchestra in Southern California. Harpo, originally named Adolph Marx and born in 1888, chose to remain silent on stage in 1915 due to nerves and famously rejected a $50,000 chance to talk in the 1946 film A Night in Casablanca. Historian Robert Bader notes that Harpo did occasionally engage in charity monologues. His son, Bill Marx, added two songs for the event and described the tape as a significant piece of comedic history. Harpo passed away six months later, in September 1964, making this recording his final public appearance.
Key facts
- Recording of Harpo Marx speaking discovered in a mislabeled box.
- Event took place March 1964 at Riverside Symphony Orchestra fundraiser in southern California.
- Harpo narrated Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and delivered a 'Red's Speech'.
- Harpo adopted silent persona in 1915 due to stage nerves.
- He declined $50,000 to speak in A Night in Casablanca (1946).
- Historian Robert Bader and son Bill Marx comment on the recording.
- Harpo died in September 1964, six months after the performance.
- Technical restoration was needed to clarify the audio.
Entities
Artists
- Harpo Marx
- Groucho Marx
- Chico Marx
- Zeppo Marx
- Alexander Woollcott
- Bill Marx
- Robert Bader
Institutions
- Riverside Symphony Orchestra
- London Palladium
Locations
- New York
- southern California
- London