
Almost since its inception, sitcoms have always been the backbone of U.S. television. The format may have changed over the years, but the genre continues to endure. While recent hits like Young Sheldon and Modern Family have made history on the modern front, no show is more groundbreaking than I Love Lucy. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, the hit series revolutionized the early days of television and created some of the most memorable moments in history.
It Wasn’t Easy To Get Harpo on ‘I Love Lucy’
By the time I Love Lucy came about, the Marx Brothers were already beloved stars. In fact, they’d previously worked with Ball in the 1938 film Room Service during her studio contract days. With all the stars that had already passed through I Love Lucy and Ball’s past partnership with them, one would assume it wouldn’t be very hard at all to get Harpo to appear. However, the beloved Marx Brother faced several personal issues that would make the casting a challenge.
In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Harpo’s son, Bill Marx, recalled that his father had recently suffered a heart attack. Though only 67 at the time, Marx had retired from showbusiness as a result and moved to Palm Springs, per Woman’s World. But with the episode written specifically for him, Bill Marx says that his father’s doctor did clear him to perform. But securing Marx was only half the battle. The actor had quite a bit to do throughout the half-hour, and there was a lot of physical comedy built into the story.
‘I Love Lucy’ was Physically Challenging for Harpo Marx
Though he was playing himself, Marx’s appearance on I Love Lucy was not easy. The installment sees Lucy caught in a jam after stretching the truth in letters she sent to her friend, Carolyn Appleby (Doris Singleton). Convinced Lucy is now close to many of Hollywood’s greats, Carolyn comes out to Los Angeles. Lucy stages an afternoon of fake celebrity sightings right there in the hotel before Ricky and Fred run into Harpo. They ask him to head upstairs and help Lucy out. When he arrives, Lucy is done up in a Harpo disguise. She hides, which allows Harpo to perform. According to the Yahoo interview with Marx’s son, the physical demand of the episode was not lost on anyone, considering Harpo’s condition.
Lucy and Harpo’s Mirror Routine Had Its Own Challenges
The episode’s most famous sequence comes when Harpo discovers the hiding Lucy. She tries to convince him that he is looking at himself in a mirror. The result is one of the most iconic moments in the history of television. Lucy mirrors Harpo’s every move before eventually being caught. The sequence is both hysterical and fascinating to watch. But many don’t realize the skit was lifted from a Marx Brothers film called Duck Soup.
I Love Lucy has no shortage of great comedic moments. But Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx’s mirror routine is really something special. It was no small feat to make due to Marx’s illness and the physical challenges that came with the script. However, Harpo’s professionalism and enthusiasm fueled his performance and made for one of the greatest moments in the history of sitcoms.