The Cocoanuts

Play trailer

The Cocoanuts

1929

1h 36m

Musical

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Audience Member

The best comedy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joseph Santley

Director

Robert Florey

Director

Groucho Marx

Hammer

Harpo Marx

Harpo

Chico Marx

Chico

Zeppo Marx

Jamison

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Grease 2

36%

53%

Grease 2

Watchlist

Romance & Cigarettes

53%

56%

Romance & Cigarettes

Watchlist

Scared Stiff

71%

73%

Scared Stiff

Watchlist

Mamma Mia!

55%

66%

Mamma Mia!

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mamma Mia!

Artists and Models

85%

76%

Artists and Models

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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