 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2006-04-09 16:14
Does anyone know which Marx Brothers movie/tv program features Harpo playing the clarinet with soap bubbles coming out of the bell?
Post Edited (2006-04-09 19:14)
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Author: ned
Date: 2006-04-09 22:22
I vaguely remember this film and whilst Harpo played the harp, I don't think he played the clarinet. I suspect that it was just a prop piece.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-04-09 23:09
Heather -
I think it was in their first film, The Cocoanuts. See http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/Klarinet/1997/03/000528.txt. Harpo was actually playing -- not particularly well, but he did know the fingerings and made a sound. A still from the movie was on the cover of The Clarinet several years ago.
GBK says he played "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," which explains everything.
His autobiography, "Harpo Speaks," may have a picture of him playing clarinet.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2006-04-09 23:52
Yes, Harpo played clarinet in "The Cocoanuts" and then fell down the elevator shaft at the end of the scene. But this site says he played "When My Dreams Come True":
http://www.harpomarx.net/dvd.html
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-04-10 00:34
GBK says he played "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," which explains everything.
GBK might be remembering the Little Rascals episode where Alfalfa ate some soap before a singing performance...in which he sang, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2006-04-10 02:12
Thanks for all your responses. I'll check out the Cocoanuts movie and the links provided. For some reason I thought it was in Animal Crackers so I watched it...but never saw a clarinet... 
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-04-10 02:52
The bit played by Harpo was whatever the main lead sang to his sweatheart in the movie, not "Blowing Bubbles."
I am doing this from memory, but the title suggested on the website (When My Dreams Come True) matches the tune I remember.
.......Paul Aviles
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2006-04-10 13:32
I laughed and laughed and laughed!! Harpo is the best.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-04-10 14:46
"GBK might be remembering the Little Rascals episode "
Or, maybe it was in a Lawrence Welk episode....
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-04-10 20:55
In the clarinet magazine there was a mention of how Harpo had a clarinet rigged to blow bubbles. He did not use this in any Marx bros films. The only film of theirs(as mentioned) where he plays clarinet is in The Cocoanuts (1929).
Post Edited (2006-04-11 02:42)
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2006-04-10 22:23
I had heard about the soap-bubble-blowing-bell-rigged-up-clarinet being used in a film. I guess I heard some misinformation...Bummer. I was really looking forward to seeing that.
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-04-11 15:20
I laughed and laughed and laughed!! Harpo is the best.
And how long has it been since I've heard the unique voice of Arnold Stang? Who knew that he had fans?!!
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2006-04-11 15:42
I showed this web site to an older friend. I said it was neat having these clips at our disposal.....I said I remember when if you wanted to see a favorite Marx Brother's clip you had to wait for it to be on TV (refering to the pre-VCR, pre-internet days)...My friend shot me a dirty look and said he remembers when if you wanted to see the Marx Brothers, you had to wait until they came to town ! I guess age is all relative !
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Author: ned
Date: 2006-04-12 00:48
Nice tone he had - can the clarinet make be identified?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-15 08:42
Ken Shaw wrote:
> GBK says he played "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles,"
> which explains everything.
Harpo used his specially designed clarinet in his comedy act during the early 1930's.
He, of course, used it to play "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles."
However, it was never used in any Marx Brothers films...GBK
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-04-21 18:18
While rummaging etc thru ICA Journals, to give away my set before 2000, I ran onto the Feb-Mar 1991 Vol 18, #2, which has 2 ot them on the cover, and pg 26, Soaprano in the title of an article. Happy reading !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-05-04 15:06
Oddly enough, the bubbly clarinet was mentioned on a comedy play on BBC Radio 4 this very afternoon. The play was the story of Harpo doing a tour of Russia. Whether it was biographical or purely fictitious I don't know.
I was driving as I listened, but fortunately the play was just about as drearily unfunny as the Marx brothers themselves. Well, I think it was intended to be a comedy....
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
Post Edited (2006-05-04 15:11)
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