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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 06/24/2006
The Brothers' energy and madness is never in question: when the laughs come, they come loud and long. Go to Full Review
Mordaunt Hall New York Times 03/25/2006
Fun puts melody in the shade in the audible pictorial transcription of the musical comedy The Cocoanuts. Go to Full Review
Don Druker Chicago Reader 01/01/2000
An eminently watchable antique. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 11/15/2023
4/5
It's not on the same level of their later Paramount features but the Four Marx Brothers shine in The Cocoanuts. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 11/12/2023
3/4
This and Animal Crackers squeak by on the top-notch comedy quotient. Go to Full Review
Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews 10/18/2016
3.5/4
Sophisticated absurdity and sublime nonsense. [Blu-ray] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Julian E Jan 19 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. See more Kevin L @Lakeman 10/14/2024 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 See more Steve D 05/08/2023 Not one of their best but the Marx are always fun. See more Mark A 12/16/2022 The Marx Brothers' first movie. Still hilarious. See more 06/17/2021 Another wildly entertaining Marx Brothers movie. See more Ethan S 03/29/2021 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. See more Read all reviews
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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