The Cocoanuts (1929)

During the Florida land boom, The Marx Brothers run a hotel, auction off some land, thwart a jewel robbery, and generally act like themselves.

Directors:

Robert Florey, Joseph Santley

Writers:

George S. Kaufman (book), Morrie Ryskind (adapted by)

Stars:

Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
The Marx Brothers
Zeppo Marx	...	Jamison
Groucho Marx	...	Hammer
Harpo Marx	...	Harpo
Chico Marx	...	Chico
Oscar Shaw	...	Bob Adams
Mary Eaton	...	Polly Potter
Cyril Ring	...	Harvey Yates
Kay Francis	...	Penelope Martin
Margaret Dumont	...	Mrs. Potter
Basil Ruysdael	...	Detective Hennessy
Gamby-Hale Ballet Girls	...	Dancers (as Gamby-Hale Girls)
Allan K. Foster Girls	...	Dancers

Storyline

Mr. Hammer runs a bankrupt Florida hotel. He'll try anything to make money, even make love to rich Mrs. Potter. But his main scheme, selling real estate, is in danger of sabotage from zanies Chico and Harpo, who also reduce the schemes of a pair of jewel thieves to chaos. A subplot involves the star-crossed love of Polly Potter and architect Bob Adams.

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Plot Keywords:

photographic negative scene | hotel | florida | marx brothers | auction | 

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Taglines:

You'll Laugh Yourself Sick (Print Ad- Syracuse Journal, ((Syracuse NY)) 30 October 1929)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los cuatro cocos

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 140 min (preview) 89 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All paper used as props is soaking wet. This was done to prevent overloading the early sound equipment with paper-crinkling noise.

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Goofs

In the opening scene, Hammer sends Jamison to meet a 4:15 train. When Jamison gets back, he refers to it as a 4:30 train.

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Quotes

Hammer: Get away from that tree before it dies.

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Crazy Credits

Instead of a conventional cast list, the actors are presented as they might be in a stage program: a single visual showing cameo portraits of the leading players identified by both their character names and their own.

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Alternate Versions

Deleted Scenes:

• When the bellboys are protesting against being unpaid, Zeppo tells them that Groucho has yet to arise at four in the afternoon. His comforting postscript, that Groucho always gets up on Wednesday, precedes his arrival. This scene was shot, but later cut after the preview, leaving Groucho descending down the stairs, still putting on his coat, allowing time to ward off his staff to catch a 4:15 train.
• Another item that was cut from the preview version of the film was a love ballad sung by Groucho to Margaret Dumont entitled "A Little Bungalow". Originally sung in the play by the romantic leads Polly Potter and Robert Adams, the song slowed up the picture.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Paul Giamatti/Ludacris featuring Sum-41 (2005)

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Soundtracks

THE BELL-HOPS
(1925) (uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Danced by Gamby-Hale Ballet Girls

User Reviews

first Marx Brothers film

"The Coconuts", being the Marx Brothers' first film, is bound to be a little creaky. This does not mean you should miss it, however! Groucho delivers some of his most scathing one-liners, Harpo provides a perfect blend of devilry and sympathy, and Chico struts like a peacock. Even the fabulous Margaret Dumont gets in on the action, telling her warbling daughter to "stop singing on the beach at all hours" after one truly atrocious song. What brings this film down is bad editing and the godawful songs--Mary Eaton singing "Do the Monkey Doodle Do"--say WHAT!?!? The dancing is,as Groucho states, "A little entertainment--very little." And Harpo's harp solo was really just pasted in there. Stay away from the fast-forward button, though--the songs are just as laughable as the jokes(for all the wrong reasons, of course), as is Kay Francis's drag queen-esque performance. And don't miss the show-stopper "I want my shirt!" My sister and I were rolling on the ground laughing. The love couple is truly nauseating, but a touching moment is provided when the childlike Harpo comforts a heartbroken Mary Eaton. Full of vaudevillian jokes and biting one-liners, this is definitely a film no Marx Brothers fan should miss!