R.I.P. Joy Harmon (1940-2026)

 

 

We are very sad to announce the passing of the beloved actress Joy Harmon (born Patricia Joy Harmon in 1940). 

She was a longtime fan favorite thanks to her appearances in such films as VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS, COOL HAND LUKE (in which her car-washing scene is iconic), and ONE-WAY WAHINE, as well as guest roles on "The Monkees", "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", "Batman", and Groucho Marx' "You Bet Your Life", where she first came to prominence.

After a busy acting career, she settled down to raise a family (including three children—Jason, Julie, and Jamie—and nine grandchildren) and began a bakery called Aunt Joy's cakes, which started in her own kitchen before becoming a runaway success. 

 

 

According to People.com, her family confirmed she died from complications related to pneumonia, which she had been battling for several weeks. After a hospitalization of about one to two weeks and a stay at a rehabilitation center, she spent her final days in hospice care surrounded by loved ones. Remarkably, she was reportedly working at her beloved bakery just the day before she was originally hospitalized. 

Joy will be long remembered by her many loving fans for her sweet, bubbly personality and the way she could light up the screen no matter what she was in. 

 

 

 

R.I.P. Joy Harmon (1940-2026)

Chico Marx Forgets His Lines In "THE COCOANUTS" (1929) (video)

 

Chico and Harpo are breaking Bob (Oscar Shaw) out of jail...

 

...because Bob's girlfriend Polly (Mary Eaton) is being forced to marry bad guy Harvey Yates.

But Chico can't remember the name "Harvey Yates" to save his life.

So Bob finally has to turn psychic and say it for him.

"She's gotta have you. Because tonight she gonna be, uh, engaged."
"To who?"
"To Polly. He's engaged to Polly."
"POLLY'S GOING TO MARRY YATES?"

Nice mind-reading there, Bob!

And to top it all off, Harpo gets his foot stuck in the door on the way out.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Chico Marx Forgets His Lines In "THE COCOANUTS" (1929) (video)

Classic Mirror Scene From "Duck Soup" (Marx Brothers, 1933) (video)

Harpo breaks into Groucho's house...

...disguised as Groucho.

And when they meet in a doorway, Harpo pretends to be Groucho's mirror image.

Groucho doesn't buy it for a second, but he plays along anyway.

For many Marx Brothers fans, this is their favorite scene.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Classic Mirror Scene From "Duck Soup" (Marx Brothers, 1933) (video)

Extreme Product Placement in Marx Bros' "LOVE HAPPY" (1949) (video)

 

 

"Love Happy" was conceived as a solo vehicle for Harpo. 

But, as usual, Chico needed the money. And Groucho got lured into it too. 

Before it was over, the producers were short on cash as well... ...and sold ad-space in the movie. 

Thus, the big chase finale is wall-to-wall product placement. 

 (See if you can spot the blooper in the Mobilgas shot at 1:15.) 

 

 I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

 

Extreme Product Placement in Marx Bros' "LOVE HAPPY" (1949) (video)

When Zeppo Filled In For Groucho In "Animal Crackers" (1930)

Youngest Marx brother Zeppo sometimes filled in for Groucho during their stage shows. 

In the 1930 film "Animal Crackers", Groucho couldn't make it to the set one day.

So Zeppo was made up as Groucho and mimics him with Margaret Dumont for an entire scene...


(Thanks to Eddie Deezen For The Idea)


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

When Zeppo Filled In For Groucho In "Animal Crackers" (1930)

Sappiest Love Song Ever? From "The Cocoanuts" (Marx Brothers, 1929): "When My Dreams Come True" (video)

The Marx Brothers' filmed stage musical "The Cocoanuts" was scored by famed composer Irving Berlin.

Architect Bob Adams (Oscar Shaw) describes the romantic love nest he's designing for himself and sweetheart Polly (Mary Eaton). 
Which leads into one of the sappiest love songs ever, "When My Dreams Come True."

"This Spanish castle I've built in my mind..."
"...will be our love nest, the practical kind..."

While Groucho romances Margaret Dumont... 
...the song gets reprised throughout the show.

Harpo even has to perform it twice.
(He manages to make it sound good on his harp)

Chico, bless his heart, is mercifully spared.

And, with the Marx Brothers relagated to a brief cutaway...
...the song reappears for the big finish.

Not one of Irving Berlin's finest moments.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Sappiest Love Song Ever? From "The Cocoanuts" (Marx Brothers, 1929): "When My Dreams Come True" (video)

ZEPPO'S Best Moments In "Animal Crackers" (Marx Brothers, 1932) (video)

Zeppo cuts a dashing figure in the introduction.

It's unfortunate that more Groucho-Zeppo scenes weren't written...

...like this delightful exchange between them in "Animal Crackers."

As seen here, they could be a fine comedy duo...

...whose potential went sadly neglected by the writers.

But at least we have this one classic Groucho-Zeppo scene.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

ZEPPO'S Best Moments In "Animal Crackers" (Marx Brothers, 1932) (video)

ZEPPO's Best Moments In "Horse Feathers" (Marx Brothers, 1932) (video)

Zeppo fans always enjoy seeing him get more to do in the Marx Brothers' films.
In this one he plays Groucho's son, an amorous college student.

He's also the romantic interest for leading lady Thelma Todd.

His fans much prefer him in that role than their later co-stars.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

ZEPPO's Best Moments In "Horse Feathers" (Marx Brothers, 1932) (video)

ZEPPO's Best Moments In "Monkey Business" (Marx Brothers, 1931) (video)

Zeppo fans agree that the youngest Marx Brother never really got his due.

But he has more to do than usual in "Monkey Business" and it's all good.

Zeppo's fans prefer him over any of the Marx Brothers' other romantic leads.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

ZEPPO's Best Moments In "Monkey Business" (Marx Brothers, 1931) (video)

My Favorite Harpo Marx Moment Ever! ("Monkey Business", 1931) (video)

Gang boss J.J. "Big Joe" Helton (Rockliffe Fellowes) is a proud father...

...introducing his beloved daughter Mary at a party, and...

...Harpo makes an unexpected appearance. 


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

My Favorite Harpo Marx Moment Ever! ("Monkey Business", 1931) (video)

Groucho Marx Plays Guitar and Sings in "Horse Feathers" and "Go West" (video)

Groucho often expressed displeasure at the frequent musical numbers by his brothers Harpo and Chico.

While quite proficient on the guitar himself, he was reticent to show off his skill on screen.

He did so in only two Marx Brothers films, "Horse Feathers" (1932) and "Go West"  (1940).


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Groucho Marx Plays Guitar and Sings in "Horse Feathers" and "Go West" (video)