Alexander Knox

He died in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. On September 28, 1964, Harpo died after open heart surgery. He also wrote two adventure novels, Night of the White Bear and Totem Dream. In one story, he had a fairly distinguished voice like a professional announcer, though he did say "goils" for "girls.". He had major roles in The Vikings, Europa '51, The Longest Day, You Only Live Twice and Nicholas and Alexandra. In fact, recordings of his voice can be found on the Internet. Knox was unable to follow up with any Hollywood success, and he returned to England. Many people believed he was actually mute.

In 1944 he was chosen by Darryl F. Zanuck to star in Wilson, the biographical film about Woodrow Wilson, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. In it he took pains to tell people he really could talk. During the 1930s he moved to London where he appeared in several movies. In 1961, Harpo published his autobiography, Harpo Speaks. Born in Strathroy, Ontario, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to appear on the stage. In 1955, Harpo made a memorable appearance on Lucille Ball's popular sitcom, I Love Lucy, in which they re-enacted the famous mirror scene from the classic Marx Brothers movie, Duck Soup. Alexander Knox (January 16, 1907 - April 25, 1995) was a Canadian actor. Harpo, who was quiet in his personal life, said his main contribution was to be the audience of that group of wits.

Harpo was good friends with theater critic Alexander Woollcott and because of this became a regular member of the Algonquin Round Table. The couple adopted four children (Bill, Alex, Jimmy and Minnie.). Harpo married actress Susan Fleming on September 28, 1936. Harpo changed his name to Arthur during World War I because he thought Adolph was "too German".

While he later learned that he did not play the instrument in the accepted manner, his fame with the instrument drew musicians from all around to learn his style. He taught himself to play the harp, and played it in an unconventional manner with an idiosyncratic tuning of the strings. His other brothers were given names to match their personalities or hobbies; His brother Leonard became "Chicko" (Chico) because he was always chasing women ("chicks"), and his brother Milton became "Gummo". Harpo got his stage name during a card game: the dealer called him "Harpo" because he played the harp.

The theater critic wrote, "Adolph Marx performed beautiful pantomime which was ruined whenever he spoke". When the Marx Brothers were playing in vaudeville, Harpo was inspired to develop his "silent" routine after reading a review of one largely ad-libbed performance. In January of 1910, Harpo joined two of his brothers to form "The Three Nightingales". His trademarks were that he never talked in any of the Marx brothers films, that he played the harp, and that he frequently used props in sight gags — for instance, when he is told in one film that he cannot burn a candle at both ends, he immediately produces a candle burning at both ends from inside his coat.

Adolph Arthur Marx, known as Harpo Marx, (November 23, 1888 – September 28, 1964) was one of the Marx Brothers, a group of Vaudeville entertainers who later experienced tremendous success in making film comedies. Harpo Speaks. ISBN 0879100362. Marx, Harpo.