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The Cocoanuts

Play trailer Poster for The Cocoanuts 1929 1h 36m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In an effort to keep his business, Hotel de Cocoanuts, from bankruptcy, owner Hammer (Groucho Marx) flatters and cajoles the wealthy Mrs. Potter (Margaret Dumont), his only paying guest. While Mrs. Potter's daughter, Polly (Mary Eaton), has romantic designs on the hotel clerk, Bob (Oscar Shaw), two other guests compete with Hammer for Mrs. Potter's attentions. Meanwhile, brothers Harpo (Harpo Marx) and Chico (Chico Marx) take advantage of Hammer's inattention to wreak havoc around the hotel.

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The Cocoanuts

The Cocoanuts

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Critics Consensus

Brought to life by the Marx Brothers' charming anarchy, The Cocoanuts is a groundbreaking musical romp.

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Critics Reviews

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Time Out The Brothers' energy and madness is never in question: when the laughs come, they come loud and long. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Mordaunt Hall New York Times Fun puts melody in the shade in the audible pictorial transcription of the musical comedy The Cocoanuts. Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Don Druker Chicago Reader An eminently watchable antique. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies It's not on the same level of their later Paramount features but the Four Marx Brothers shine in The Cocoanuts. Rated: 4/5 Nov 15, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This and Animal Crackers squeak by on the top-notch comedy quotient. Rated: 3/4 Nov 12, 2023 Full Review Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Sophisticated absurdity and sublime nonsense. [Blu-ray] Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 18, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julian E Every time I watch this movie - and I've seen it a dozen times or more - it always gets me. The routines never tire. The dialogue never stales. The interweaving of folly and formalities never loses its freshness and constant surprise. As a 'film record' of what a 1920s stage musical comedy was like, it's hard to beat and is best understood on those terms: the great boon here being that we get up close to the action. Despite all the technical limitations still thwarting camera freedom at the time, the direction and editing go a long way to make us forget them. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/25 Full Review Kevin L 1st (I think) Marx bros. movie. They were doing it on stage beforehand. We see many of the sight gags and hear their particular type of play on words humor that would become staples in their brilliant careers. Margaret Dumon plays a wealthy widow, of course. Where did they get those dresses? And the condom hats? It has a few dance numbers with a chorus line type group of ladies, which I could with less of. And what is up with all the men in these movies with that same high-pitched, tra-la-la affected singing style? But it's funny enough for such an early theatrical version of their act. 3.2 stars Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Steve D Not one of their best but the Marx are always fun. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/08/23 Full Review Mark A The Marx Brothers' first movie. Still hilarious. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/22 Full Review Audience Member Another wildly entertaining Marx Brothers movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Ethan S Definitely a clunky earlier Marx brothers effort (their first film I believe). It has its moments, but you can really tell this was basically a filmed stage-play and variety act. Still, interesting to see the Brothers Marx and Margaret Dumont taking on roles that will be played to much greater comic effect in later pictures. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/29/21 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cocoanuts

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Cast & Crew

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Joseph Santley

Director

Robert Florey

Director

Groucho Marx

Hammer

Harpo Marx

Harpo

Chico Marx

Chico

Zeppo Marx

Jamison

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The Cocoanuts

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Movie Info

Synopsis In an effort to keep his business, Hotel de Cocoanuts, from bankruptcy, owner Hammer (Groucho Marx) flatters and cajoles the wealthy Mrs. Potter (Margaret Dumont), his only paying guest. While Mrs. Potter's daughter, Polly (Mary Eaton), has romantic designs on the hotel clerk, Bob (Oscar Shaw), two other guests compete with Hammer for Mrs. Potter's attentions. Meanwhile, brothers Harpo (Harpo Marx) and Chico (Chico Marx) take advantage of Hammer's inattention to wreak havoc around the hotel.
Director
Joseph Santley, Robert Florey
Producer
Monta Bell, James R. Cowan
Screenwriter
Morrie Ryskind
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2020
Runtime
1h 36m
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