Harpo is an almost mythical being in all of these movies. No matter the race, gender, background, euphoric as well as chaotic pandemonium occurs. He allows people in his films to experience the beauty of life: the absurdity of the present. To quote Alan Watts: “It is in this kind of meaninglessness that we come to the profoundest meaning.” Not only in the films does he breathe life into the characters around him, so does he in the audiences he cripples with laughter. It is in this freeing of our spirit through laughter that his love for humanity shows. We should all embrace a little of Harpo in our lives.
The Marx Brothers as a family and Harpo in particular were tight with the black entertainment community. They fought to get this scene into the film. It was a good paycheck during the great depression.
The Marx Brothers had something in common with black folks: when traveling, the brothers were often hosted by Jewish families because hotels wouldn't board them (nor black people either).
I'd like to know who did the writing, choreography, casting, everything in the background. Who knows? But there's a fighting chance that the Black performance community was in on it, as very much should be the case. Was this cultural appropriation? I don't see a need to rush to that conclusion. But if it was, okay, let's see why.
Keep in mind, tin whistle was Harpo's FOURTH instrument (after harp, piano, and clarinet). This scene shows just how talented a musician he was. At the end of the movie, he plays the tin whistle again in a reprise of "Gabriel."
I sung this everyday in middle school with my brother and Dad! Love Harpo’s charisma and all this black talent that would otherwise go unnoticed in that time.
the whole point of the piece was that Harpo, the nutty prankster, loved everybody...the children who first followed him, the teens who interrupted their gambling to prance with him and their poverty stricken parents, all of whom chippered up when he threw his musical enthusiasm their way!
Hello Mr . Diddymuck, You Described The Beloved Harpo Perfectly! You Could Feel The Love He Has For Others !! I Am 62 Years Old And After All These Years, He Never Fails To Bring A Smile To My Face!!!! Grace And Peace, Ralph In CT
I'm half black myself and happen to really like this scene.You could argue that it hasn't aged well but compared to what else was done with black people at the time this is pretty open and progressive. And even despite it's problems, it's still a well done scene.That part later where the Marx Bros. hide in the crowd with black face though... that has certainly not aged well :P
This is the era where black scenes were cut for distribution in the South, yet here we have a Jewish comedian & Jewish filmmakers showcasing a full chorus of great black talent, you prefer this be censored? As the great Harvey Fierstein says, "Visibility @ any price!"
Harpo was a marvel, a unique performer. And you ended this wonderful scene where the filmmakers should have. [2021 edit] martinwettig and Pwerranger6342 are absolutely correct. I have no idea what I was thinking five years ago -- other than the movie went back to the story of the 'juvenile couple' and forgetting about the musical performance that followed. My bad.
Does anyone have the lyrics for this song? I've tried googling them but either the song isn't an official song or I'm not searching by the right title. Thanks!
Actually, this scene is on the coat tails of that boring white guy singing. It is followed up by a spectacular song and dance routine featuring the Crinoline Choir. It all somewhat washed out the taste Gil's flaccid attempt at entertainment.
It's a fun performance and the Marx brothers were known for giving performers of color a platform but it speaks to the racism of the time. The children and even the Adults thought he was the Angel Gabriel blowing his horn. This belief that anything angelic and godly must be white.
Well, it worked, because the entire black chorus return for the big finish, waving their earnings from Harpo's win, it's an inclusionary, colourful celebration!
Though beautiful, the racism comes in because the black people of the town think the white man playing a flute is the Arch Angel Gabriel who plays a horn, and they will follow him wherever he goes. Its saying black people were gullible enough to believe this random white man playing a flute was an angel.
This was actually pretty progressive for it’s time considering how bad racism was back then. The producers actually wanted to cut both parts of it. However, the brothers, who had endured discrimination for being Jewish, pressured them to keep it in.
@@russellthompson9271 So if it's nonsense then why respond to it? You're a person who responds to nonsense. That makes you an idiot. The comment is for the people who actually get it, dummy.
@@russellthompson9271 Seriously. Judging things 80 years old by today's standards is a bad business, but the wokesters can't get their heads around that. They expect everyone to be 21st century progressives.
You can't listen to the misguided, self-righteous,virtue signaling, cancel culture cretins. They are just miserable fakes and want to drag everyone down with them. Keep on watching this great movie and above all enjoy it.
This is a very uncomfortable scene for me to watch in 'A Day at the Races'. The song is very catchy but I hate how in Hollywood marginalized black actors are only shown in very short scenes at an attempt to providing novelty. Black people are rarely represented AT ALL except in unidimensional roles based solely on popular stereotypes. The cherry on top of "'A Day with the Racists'" is the haphazard reference to blackface with the three Brothers putting motor oil on their faces to 'blend in' (Harpo is only half insensitive, I guess, by only covering the left side of his face lol). Overall, the sexism and racism in the Brothers' films are sometimes pretty, especially overt to a modern viewer, but their comedic influence is invaluable and their movies will always endear them to me.
Considering the era and the fact that the brothers fought for the scene to be included, I think you can cut them a little slack. This was pretty progressive for the 1930s.
Marginalized?! A major production # featuring 1 of the Jewish stars of the movie? Marginalized is when they cut Lena Horne's scenes out of movies for distribution in the South. Marginalized is when a gay director makes 1 of the 1st black musical features for Jewish studio owners. This scene is the BEGINNING of visibility, Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar playing a MAID, it would be another 3 decades before Sidney Poitier won & became the biggest box office draw in the world. Before this, Al Jolsen would have done the # - in blackface!
@u.n. owen I appreciate your comments but I disagree with several points. Marginalization is not an absolute term; it is a relative term. Black people are marginalized due to the disproportionate representation within the film industry. Arguably, African-Americans are still very much marginalized within the Hollywood industry. There has certainly been progress, albeit not fully reaching egalitarianism. Also, identifying within a minority subgroup doesn't prevent one from being prejudiced towards another minority subgroup. Obviously, the Marx Brothers are not the locus of prejudice within the Hollywood system or American racial politics. I do think, however, that this film represents some facets and overall tendencies within Hollywood to represent African-Americans based upon stereotype and is problematic from a modern-day viewpoint. It all depends on perspective.
Harpo is an almost mythical being in all of these movies. No matter the race, gender, background, euphoric as well as chaotic pandemonium occurs. He allows people in his films to experience the beauty of life: the absurdity of the present. To quote Alan Watts: “It is in this kind of meaninglessness that we come to the profoundest meaning.”
Not only in the films does he breathe life into the characters around him, so does he in the audiences he cripples with laughter. It is in this freeing of our spirit through laughter that his love for humanity shows.
We should all embrace a little of Harpo in our lives.
Poetic. I love this! Thank you!
Wonderful critique! ❤
The Marx Brothers as a family and Harpo in particular were tight with the black entertainment community. They fought to get this scene into the film. It was a good paycheck during the great depression.
This was the best scene in this movie! I love the Marx brothers!
Marx brothers are the best. Also love the scene in at the circus when Harpo does a jazzy version of blue moon. Great stuff!
The Marx Brothers had something in common with black folks: when traveling, the brothers were often hosted by Jewish families because hotels wouldn't board them (nor black people either).
I'd like to know who did the writing, choreography, casting, everything in the background. Who knows? But there's a fighting chance that the Black performance community was in on it, as very much should be the case.
Was this cultural appropriation? I don't see a need to rush to that conclusion. But if it was, okay, let's see why.
Keep in mind, tin whistle was Harpo's FOURTH instrument (after harp, piano, and clarinet). This scene shows just how talented a musician he was. At the end of the movie, he plays the tin whistle again in a reprise of "Gabriel."
every performer in this piece is outstanding. The kid who first sings has a crisp very entertaining voice and the chorale is flawless.
@diddymuck you said it! I love this scene the best! It was a great surprise too watching this movie!!
I sung this everyday in middle school with my brother and Dad! Love Harpo’s charisma and all this black talent that would otherwise go unnoticed in that time.
This Film is 80 years old , and guess what we are still watching it
Zounds! This movie is 80 years old, and still rocks.
the whole point of the piece was that Harpo, the nutty prankster, loved everybody...the children who first followed him, the teens who interrupted their gambling to prance with him and their poverty stricken parents, all of whom chippered up when he threw his musical enthusiasm their way!
Hello Mr . Diddymuck,
You Described The Beloved Harpo Perfectly!
You Could Feel The Love He Has For Others !!
I Am 62 Years Old And After All These Years, He Never Fails To Bring A Smile To My Face!!!!
Grace And Peace,
Ralph In CT
i love this movie and this scene is so epic.
I love the Marx brothers’ films & these are talented singers & dancers in this scene. Classic!
This what the used to call "The Movies"
Where you would pay 2/4 /6 10 bucks and expect to see a PERFORMANCE or be ENTERTAINED,,,,
Thank you Harpo
.......And Groucho, Chico, and sometimes Zeppo.
You would pay 5 cents.In The 1930's.....even in the 1950's kids could see a Saturday Matinee double feature for 15 cents !!
Amazing
You can see why jazz became such a craze too!
are you kidding.....you would pay 25 or 50 Cents.....for a double feature !!
Many years ago I saw this in Los Angeles at a theater. The boy on violin, all grown up of course, was sitting behind me with his sons.
one of the best movies of the great era of true entertainment
....Aw, man. It's stuck in my head again. XD
Absolutely grand!
I watched this 10 times in a row. I love it! 2:01 always gets me :-D
Just Seeing Harpo Makes Us Smile
Now THAT’S entertainment! What fantastic talent! 👏
I enjoy seeing my dad as a teenager. 😊😊😊😊. “Who Dat Man?”
It's Gabriel , It's Gabriel ! 😀
Fab! Just fab!
Who dat man?!
Why, it's Gabriel!
@@BIGBLOCK5022006 Ohhhh!
I saw this movie the other day on TCM
my parents showed this movie to me a few years ago. Its great because i have a brother named Gabriel
I am watching these movies in order and I love this song! They hadn't done anything like it before.
Love it : )
The Marx Brothers were one of the earliest friends and supporters of African Americans in cinema.
I'm half black myself and happen to really like this scene.You could argue that it hasn't aged well but compared to what else was done with black people at the time this is pretty open and progressive. And even despite it's problems, it's still a well done scene.That part later where the Marx Bros. hide in the crowd with black face though... that has certainly not aged well :P
But it’s a product of the times, so we can cut them a little slack.
This is the era where black scenes were cut for distribution in the South, yet here we have a Jewish comedian & Jewish filmmakers showcasing a full chorus of great black talent, you prefer this be censored? As the great Harvey Fierstein says, "Visibility @ any price!"
@@unowen-nh9ov and cutting it almost makes it worse because it is ignoring the talents of African Americans.
Dont forget Jack Benny made Eddie "Rochester" Anderson a household name and very rich. He was with Benny from radio, tv and movies.
@@unowen-nh9ov I couldn't agree more
If there was ever a Jewish leprechaun it was definitely Harpo.
fantastic and well, ok for the era.
The music is phonimal. I actually listen to alot of music from this era on Spotify. This era of music is just amazing.
Harpo was a marvel, a unique performer.
And you ended this wonderful scene where the filmmakers should have.
[2021 edit]
martinwettig and Pwerranger6342 are absolutely correct. I have no idea what I was thinking five years ago -- other than the movie went back to the story of the 'juvenile couple' and forgetting about the musical performance that followed. My bad.
What? Hell no, now comes the mighty Ivie Anderson! I loved that.
And miss seeing Ivie Anderson and other African Americans showcase their talents, no way.
Dorothy was so beautiful.
I Can't Find The Lyrics To This Heartwarming Song.
Can Anyone Help Me ?
Thank You and God Bless .
Grace And Peace,
Ralph In CT 9
Glad Gil got cut off at the end! Hahaha. "Oh Gil!!" What a drip...
WOW!
Comedy giants
complete fun with not a curse word
Maravilhoso, emocionante.
In Monkey Business the brothers sing Sweet Adeline in four-part harmony.
Does anyone have the lyrics for this song? I've tried googling them but either the song isn't an official song or I'm not searching by the right title. Thanks!
I love how this ends right where the boring white dude was about to sing
Keep your racial hatred to yourself mate
Boring is universal.
Actually, this scene is on the coat tails of that boring white guy singing. It is followed up by a spectacular song and dance routine featuring the Crinoline Choir. It all somewhat washed out the taste Gil's flaccid attempt at entertainment.
Harpo at 2:15 always cracks me up :)
It's inspired madness! :-)
Extremely funny facial expression.
@@harlow743 Hi BoBo,
I Used To Watch You Wrestle On TV Back In The 70's ! 0
@@AdmrlLocke Best Description!!
@@ralphraucci5128 Hi Ralph....unfortunately the real "Bobo Brazil" has passed away....I'm from Detroit and used to watch Bobo wrestle also...
Check out 'Little Ol' Bosco Goes to Bagdad'. Best cartoon ever! Lol!
MUITO LEGAL
It's a fun performance and the Marx brothers were known for giving performers of color a platform but it speaks to the racism of the time. The children and even the Adults thought he was the Angel Gabriel blowing his horn. This belief that anything angelic and godly must be white.
Jadon Carter But the Marx Brothers were Jewish. Not white.
Credit where it's due, he did lead them to prosperity. All God's children got money in the end.
Ah ,yes, The New Yorker, the last word in black visibility - NOT!!!
Well, it worked, because the entire black chorus return for the big finish, waving their earnings from Harpo's win, it's an inclusionary, colourful celebration!
It was pretty progressive for its time.
Though beautiful, the racism comes in because the black people of the town think the white man playing a flute is the Arch Angel Gabriel who plays a horn, and they will follow him wherever he goes. Its saying black people were gullible enough to believe this random white man playing a flute was an angel.
This was actually pretty progressive for it’s time considering how bad racism was back then. The producers actually wanted to cut both parts of it. However, the brothers, who had endured discrimination for being Jewish, pressured them to keep it in.
What nonsense!
@@russellthompson9271 So if it's nonsense then why respond to it? You're a person who responds to nonsense. That makes you an idiot. The comment is for the people who actually get it, dummy.
@@russellthompson9271 Seriously. Judging things 80 years old by today's standards is a bad business, but the wokesters can't get their heads around that. They expect everyone to be 21st century progressives.
Maybe Harpo was Gabriel
Mythical
Chickens on the ground going WTF is he doing now?
lol
i think he was the straw man in wizard of oz
the scarecrow
Mel Burchell
The Scarecrow (straw man) was played by Ray Bolger.
A tune of astounding tastelessness
But it's difficult to agree with Pynchon here
A showcase of great talent, seldom allowed on screen 80 years ago.
Harpo could sympathize with the black community back then as he knew racism being Jewish.😢😢
It is too bad the Marxes couldn't do a movie with the Three Stooges...that would have been hilarious.
Bring on the black people singing
I truly love this scene... but a friend pointed me to being racist for like it.
But I'm not!
Liking this sort of musical numbers makes me racist?
It does NOT make you racist!
You can't listen to the misguided, self-righteous,virtue signaling, cancel culture cretins. They are just miserable fakes and want to drag everyone down with them. Keep on watching this great movie and above all enjoy it.
Roger Hammerstein very true! I’m a black teen and I love this!
I'm half black myself and I think it's a good number.They way it's done probably wouldn't fly now but it was pretty progressive for the time.
Racism wouldn't have allowed this much talent a showcase @ all!
more like a day at the racists eh? (I know its not racist i just wanted to share my [possibly] unoriginal joke)
ha lol
Cutting this from the film would have been racist, guess which minority ran MGM? & were stars of this movie?
This is a very uncomfortable scene for me to watch in 'A Day at the Races'. The song is very catchy but I hate how in Hollywood marginalized black actors are only shown in very short scenes at an attempt to providing novelty. Black people are rarely represented AT ALL except in unidimensional roles based solely on popular stereotypes. The cherry on top of "'A Day with the Racists'" is the haphazard reference to blackface with the three Brothers putting motor oil on their faces to 'blend in' (Harpo is only half insensitive, I guess, by only covering the left side of his face lol). Overall, the sexism and racism in the Brothers' films are sometimes pretty, especially overt to a modern viewer, but their comedic influence is invaluable and their movies will always endear them to me.
Considering the era and the fact that the brothers fought for the scene to be included, I think you can cut them a little slack. This was pretty progressive for the 1930s.
@@Powerranger-le4up I guess in the 1930's anything is pretty progressive compared to the Jim Crow Laws.
Marginalized?! A major production # featuring 1 of the Jewish stars of the movie? Marginalized is when they cut Lena Horne's scenes out of movies for distribution in the South. Marginalized is when a gay director makes 1 of the 1st black musical features for Jewish studio owners. This scene is the BEGINNING of visibility, Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar playing a MAID, it would be another 3 decades before Sidney Poitier won & became the biggest box office draw in the world. Before this, Al Jolsen would have done the # - in blackface!
@u.n. owen I appreciate your comments but I disagree with several points. Marginalization is not an absolute term; it is a relative term. Black people are marginalized due to the disproportionate representation within the film industry. Arguably, African-Americans are still very much marginalized within the Hollywood industry. There has certainly been progress, albeit not fully reaching egalitarianism. Also, identifying within a minority subgroup doesn't prevent one from being prejudiced towards another minority subgroup. Obviously, the Marx Brothers are not the locus of prejudice within the Hollywood system or American racial politics. I do think, however, that this film represents some facets and overall tendencies within Hollywood to represent African-Americans based upon stereotype and is problematic from a modern-day viewpoint. It all depends on perspective.