The Cocoanuts

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The Cocoanuts

1929,

1h 36m,

Musical/

Comedy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

95%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

5,000+ Ratings

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.

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Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

The Brothers' energy and madness is never in question: when the laughs come, they come loud and long.

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Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

Mar 25, 2006

Fun puts melody in the shade in the audible pictorial transcription of the musical comedy The Cocoanuts.

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

Jan 1, 2000

An eminently watchable antique.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Nov 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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 12, 2023

3/4

This and Animal Crackers squeak by on the top-notch comedy quotient.

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Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

Oct 18, 2016

3.5/4

Sophisticated absurdity and sublime nonsense. [Blu-ray]

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Jan 27, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Han G

Jan 11, 2019

The Marx Brothers are in expectedly solid form and it's a joy when they're onscreen. However, the extended musical numbers bog down the movie's pacing and distract from the better aspects of the movie.

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Rey W

Jun 20, 2018

The Cocoanuts is (expectedly) at its best when the Marx brothers are on screen and although the movie occasionally gets side-tracked with extended musical numbers, it's sure to appease fans of the ever-hilarious brothers.

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Abraham S

Apr 10, 2018

Weird that I had never seen this. Anyways, the Marx brothers first feature proved they had a bit of a ways to go before they would sit on the mantle of whatever mantle they were going to sit on. Here, Groucho is the proprietor of a failing resort, Zeppo his assistant, and yes, Harpo and Chico as con men. Usual routines abound. Harpo being lecherous, Chico getting good lines, and Groucho chasing Margaret Dumont around. Yes, there is a piano and harp solo too. Oh, and too much more singing then there should be in a movie like this.

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Leia S

Aug 17, 2017

The first feature from the Marx Brothers that suffers drastically from weak direction & stagy numbers. The plot of Florida Lamdowners is backseat to comics gags & overlong musical numbers. Had a few cute moments but no means the quality of the later films. Rather weak & bland unfortunately.

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Poe S

Oct 20, 2014

Not as smooth or slick, but it was their first, so you can't expect too much, but it was quite funny watching the bro's play off each other. Too much extra stuff, not enough Bro's. Still, great energy and gags.

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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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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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