In sunny Florida, the Cocoanuts Hotel (and surrounding property) aren't doing well. Even though the beaches are full of people, there are only a few paying customers at the Cocoanuts. The proprietor, Mr. Hammer (Groucho) is trying to sell the surrounding property and talk his bellboys out of their paychecks,
"Do you know that suitcase is empty?"
"That's all right. We fill it up before we leave."
The only paying customers are the Potter's. The wealthy Mrs. Potter (Dumont) doesn't approve of her daughter Polly's (Eaton) suitor, Bob (Shaw) the desk clerk. While Bob and Polly fall in love and plan their futures, Bob's rival for Polly, Harvey Yates (Ring) plots with his former partner Penelope (Francis) to steal from the Potters. With Irving Berlin songs, especially "When My Dreams Come True" (which you will be able to sing by the end of the film) and zany Marx routines interspersed to keep the story interesting.
Love the Marx Brothers!! If you are new to the Marx Brothers, I would suggest starting with a different film. Even though "The Cocoanuts" was their first film, it is a tad rough in places. The Cocoanuts was originally a Marx Brothers Broadway play, so they adapted it to film with mixed results. I like musicals, but there are too many musical numbers in the film and the song "When My Dreams Come True" is repeated so many times you either reluctantly sing-along or you want to scream at the top of your lungs! The songs don't really work, except for when Chico and Harpo have their solo songs (Chico does his trademark shooting the piano keys and Harpo obviously plays the harp).
It takes too long for the Brothers to appear on screen... and overall they don't have enough screen time. Occasionally it is hard to hear the dialogue (portions are softer than the rest) and the image quality changes throughout the film (sometimes in the same scene). Many of these problems can be attributed to the fact that film was still a newish medium (especially sound films) and the Brothers didn't have any film experience. There are some classic moments: the Brothers meeting (and getting into a fight, see the picture above), "Why a Duck" scene, the auction (Chico outbids everyone, including himself). It is enjoyable, and an interesting look at how the Marx Brothers started in film... but their later films (i.e. anything after this) are better / funnier. Good, but not quite up to par.
To read another review of this film (and other Marx Brother films) go to this site: http://theageofcomedy.laurelandhardycentral.com/cocoanuts.html
The Cocoanuts (1929) 96 minutes
Directors: Robert Florey & Joseph Santley
Starring: Groucho Marx as Hammer
Harpo Marx as Harpo
Chico Marx as Chico
Zeppo Marx as Jamison
Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Potter
Oscar Shaw as Bob Adams
Mary Eaton as Polly Potter
Cyril Ring as Harvey Yates
Kay Francis as Penelope
Basil Ruysdael as Detective Hennessy
"Ohhh! You want my money. Is that fair? Do I want your money?"
The desk clerk, Jamison (Zeppo), sleeps on the job, and the newest guests Chico (Chico) and Harpo (Harpo) are hoping to steal everything that isn't nailed down,"Do you know that suitcase is empty?"
"That's all right. We fill it up before we leave."
The only paying customers are the Potter's. The wealthy Mrs. Potter (Dumont) doesn't approve of her daughter Polly's (Eaton) suitor, Bob (Shaw) the desk clerk. While Bob and Polly fall in love and plan their futures, Bob's rival for Polly, Harvey Yates (Ring) plots with his former partner Penelope (Francis) to steal from the Potters. With Irving Berlin songs, especially "When My Dreams Come True" (which you will be able to sing by the end of the film) and zany Marx routines interspersed to keep the story interesting.
Love the Marx Brothers!! If you are new to the Marx Brothers, I would suggest starting with a different film. Even though "The Cocoanuts" was their first film, it is a tad rough in places. The Cocoanuts was originally a Marx Brothers Broadway play, so they adapted it to film with mixed results. I like musicals, but there are too many musical numbers in the film and the song "When My Dreams Come True" is repeated so many times you either reluctantly sing-along or you want to scream at the top of your lungs! The songs don't really work, except for when Chico and Harpo have their solo songs (Chico does his trademark shooting the piano keys and Harpo obviously plays the harp).
It takes too long for the Brothers to appear on screen... and overall they don't have enough screen time. Occasionally it is hard to hear the dialogue (portions are softer than the rest) and the image quality changes throughout the film (sometimes in the same scene). Many of these problems can be attributed to the fact that film was still a newish medium (especially sound films) and the Brothers didn't have any film experience. There are some classic moments: the Brothers meeting (and getting into a fight, see the picture above), "Why a Duck" scene, the auction (Chico outbids everyone, including himself). It is enjoyable, and an interesting look at how the Marx Brothers started in film... but their later films (i.e. anything after this) are better / funnier. Good, but not quite up to par.
To read another review of this film (and other Marx Brother films) go to this site: http://theageofcomedy.laurelandhardycentral.com/cocoanuts.html
The Cocoanuts (1929) 96 minutes
Directors: Robert Florey & Joseph Santley
Starring: Groucho Marx as Hammer
Harpo Marx as Harpo
Chico Marx as Chico
Zeppo Marx as Jamison
Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Potter
Oscar Shaw as Bob Adams
Mary Eaton as Polly Potter
Cyril Ring as Harvey Yates
Kay Francis as Penelope
Basil Ruysdael as Detective Hennessy
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