....................FROM THE PARAMOUNT Marx Brothers feature DUCK SOUP (1933) makes it all worthwhile in and of itself.

ALYHOUGH IT WAS absolutely popular in the early days of network television, I LOVE LUCY was never a biggie in the Ryan household located on Damen Avenue near 65th Street in the West Englewood community, Southside Chicago. Oh sure, we'd watch but there were other series we rated higher; bot with and without the obligatory canned laughter track. We has titles such as ANNIE OAKLEY, MY LITTLE MARGIE, CITIZEN SOLDIER, THE SILENT SERVICE, OZZIE & HARRIET, CRUSADER Rabbit and even TEST PATTERN TIME, just to name a few.

BUT THIS EPISODE of the LUCY Show, along with "Lucy and Superman" do stick out in our most fertile memory as exceptions to our rule. It must be the inclusion of two favourites, Harpo Marx and George Reeves (not a comedy team) in the episodes.So we were treated to both the mute Marx Brother as well as Superman himself.

THIS EPISODE WITH guest star Harpo, was truly a natural; as the continuity of the series included Lucy Ricardo's (nee McGillicudy) having an insatiable desire to break into Showbiz, just like hobby, Ricky. Akk that the writers needed was a situation to put the Ricardos in Hollywood (which they did one season) and the natural supply of Movie Stars would flow freely. In addition to George Reeves and Harpo Marx, we recall John Wayne doing a guest shot in an episode.

IMPORTANTLY THOUGH NOT apparent to our young minds in those days, the episode served as an homage to the Classic Movie comedy that was Hollywood in introducing us to routines such as the mirror sequence that was originally done just about two decades earlier (then).

Probably the best episode of season 4 because of Lucy's dressing as movie stars to Harpo Marx the real deal. His harpo playing is too beautiful to not listen to. And he and Lucy do the Duck Soup mirror scene which is superb. I can't get enough of the episode.

Funny and well done. I won't go into it because it's one of the most famous episodes ever. The Harpo/ Lucy bit is at least but the other scenes work very well too.

One thing that always stands out about the Hollywood episodes with Caroline in them is she's kind of ditzy, suddenly wears glasses and is a little nicer and sweeter than usual. Maybe she's just star struck and feels like being nicer to Lucy. Maybe it's different writers? No matter I like her more in these episodes.

Has to be one of the TOP 10 Lucy episodes. We all grew up on this show, and the Harpo Marx episode is legend.

At the time Harpo, who was in his 60s, was semi-retired, but still making tv appearances -- so WHY NOT guest star on I Love Lucy. The perfect sitcom.

If you're a long time series fan, you have to admit the episodes that took place in Hollywood were a gas. So many classic stars guested on the show. The story here is all about Lucy's pal Carolyn Applebye (Doris Singleton), who decides to visit LA. To impress her (or fool her), especially after writing Carolyn and bragging about knowing lots of celebs, Lucy cooks up a routine using masks and costumes. Here's the catch... Carolyn is nearly blind WITHOUT her glasses, so if Lucy gets rid of the glasses she can fool her BIG TIME. Pretty clever stuff.

But what if the REAL Harpo appears? Ricky meets him at the pool and he drops by the apartment, with his famous harp. WHAT A TREAT. Best yet is the now legendary mirror scene, where Lucy and Harpo finally meet. Classic writing on the part of series creator Jess Oppenheimer, who Lucy said was the true genius behind the show.

Interestingly, Harpo taught himself to play the harp, but he later claimed it was the wrong way. He subsequently had to take professional lessons. Ironically, musicians still called him to get advice on playing the harp. An amazing story.

Harpo also claims he wore his goofy costumes and wig offscreen, and sometimes was arrested by the police, who thought he was drunk or crazy.

Even if you're not a fan of the show, this is an episode you have to see. Lucy dressing up as Clark Gable is a MUST. You will love this.

SEASON 4 EISODE 28 remastered. CBS dvd box set. Released 2012. 5 dvds.

I am NOT a fan of I Love Lucy. I am decidedly of the faction that finds Lucille Ball's schtick to be more annoying than funny. But this is the one episode of the show that I love. And it's because Harpo is just wonderful. At 67 years old (and coming off heart surgery, no less!), he *still* exudes boundless youthful energy and enthusiasm. Just a delight that we have this late record of him still in fine form. As usual, I could do without the rest of Lucy's childish antics, but the moments when Harpo is on the screen make it all worthwhile.

Well, now comes the obligatory extra lines to fulfill the arbitrary and annoying length requirement of this system. So let me just say, if you haven't seen Harpo in his heyday, go rent one of his classic Marx Brothers films. I recommend Duck Soup as a fine one, both for Harpo and as an overall film.