Thursday, December 26, 2019

A Silent Panic

A Silent Panic is a half-hour episode of the television series The DuPont Show with June Allyson. It stars Harpo Marx in a dramatic role, his first. The story takes place during the Christmas season.

from the IMDb: "A deaf-mute witnesses a murder but is unable to tell the police what he knows. Meanwhile the killer and his accomplice seek to find the deaf-mute in order to eliminate him."

You can see it at this link or below:

20 comments:

  1. ...when I was a kid I loved the Marx Brothers, humor was funny then.

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    1. Still some of the funniest movies out there. This dramatic role was a revelation.

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  2. Oh, that sounds interesting!

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    1. Yes, I hadn't remembered him doing anything but comedy.

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  3. Good morning, this sounds like an intersting film-thanks

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    1. Yes, a sweet turn for him, not comedy or slapstick.

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  4. I didn't know there were films with just one of the Marx brothers instead of the whole crew. This film sounds like it might be worth a watch. Hugs-Erika

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    1. This was in 1960, after the Marx Brothers films were long past. There were some television appearances like this one they appeared in individually as well as appearing "solo" in some films. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx_Brothers#Filmography This little video is just 25 minutes long and is a starring role -not just a cameo. I enjoyed it.

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  5. I really enjoyed this, but I am STILL offended by the phrase "deaf and DUMB." I know it was the language of the times, but . . . .

    I really enjoyed seeing what 1960 was like, especially at Christmas, though.

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    1. "Dumb" meaning unable to speak was the word's original meaning. The use of it as an insult meaning "stupid" is much more recent, and so "dumb" for "mute" has thus been rendered archaic. It reminds me at this time of year of the change in the meaning of the word "gay".

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    2. I had totally forgotten that one. It is sadly true, though that gay no longer means cheery and happy.

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    3. Just like "queer" means something different now. We can't re-write works from the past, and I accept them as they are knowing no offense was meant (in terms of how "deaf and dumb" was used, for example) and understanding that the word meant something completely different (as far as "gay" and "queer" are concerned). I've known people who wouldn't sing the words "don we now our gay apparel" in the carol lol. Words referring to race change through time, too, and I use whatever word people prefer for their own group while understanding that films and books will include words that would cause offense if used now. Language is fascinating :)

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  6. How interesting, when I read it started Harpo Marx I expected it to be a comedy 😁. Happy Friday and weekend! Hugs, Jo x

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    1. Harpo had a wonderful life and delightful career. He was an accomplished musician and left his harp to the state of Israel in his will.

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  7. I remember the Marx Brothers from my childhood. Valerie

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  8. Oh my! I remember watching The Dupont Show when I was a kid! Not something I had any memory of until I watched her come down in her long dress and speak. In 1960 I would have been 9 years old. I saw this back then...because I remembered how scary it felt that he couldn't talk or hear or write or draw...and how happy I was that he saved the nice old man...and that I hoped he could stay with the old man forever. Unexpected memory!! Thanks. Happy New Year! :)

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    1. Cool! I don't remember this show at all. I'd've been a bit younger than you and remember some TV from then but not that one.

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  9. Anonymous5:41 PM

    A nifty post showing us a different side of Arthur "Harpo" Marx!
    -- A Pal

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    1. I'd never have seen it if not for you. Thx!

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