Cast:
Groucho Marx as Mr. Hammer
Harpo Marx as Harpo
Chico Marx as Chico
Zeppo Marx as Jamison
Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Potter
Mary Eaton as Polly Potter
Oscar Shaw as Robert ‘Bob’ Adams
Kay Francis as Penelope
Cyril Ring as Harvey Yates
Basil Ruysdael as Detective Hennessey
Directed by Robert Florey & Joseph Santley
Produced by Monta Bell
Written by Morrie Ryskind
Based on the play by George S. Kaufman
Released May 3, 1929
A Paramount Picture.
About the film:
(From the AFI catalog)
The 12 Jan 1929 Motion Picture News announced production was expected to begin on 1 Feb 1929 on Paramount Pictures’ The Cocoanuts, based on the 1925 musical play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Irving Berlin. The Four Marx Brothers would reprise their stage roles in the “all-talking” screen version, among one of the earliest “talkies” released by Paramount. The picture was made at Paramount’s East Coast Studios in Astoria, Queens, New York City. Irving Berlin composed an original score, and George S. Kaufman reportedly served as the film’s advisor.
On 6 Feb 1929, FD (Film Daily) reported that principal photography had begun. The 2 Mar 1929 Motion Picture News indicated that production would soon be finished, and listed performers from two singing groups who participated in the film: “Louise Bernhardt, Madeleine Southworth, Rita Sebastian and Ann Reichl, and the Miami Serenaders, Smith Blue, Max Sulser, Jack Cronin and Wendell Mayhew.”
The 23 Mar 1929 Exhibitor’s Herald-World noted that actor Oscar Shaw had recently completed The Cocoanuts.
According to the 18 May 1929 Motion Picture News, the world premiere was held at New York City’s Rialto Theatre on 23 May 1929.
Reviews were mixed. The 29 May 1929 Var reported “many laughs” throughout the film, but criticized the performers for talking “too fast” and for talking over their laughs. The 2 Jun 1929 FD declared that the film version did not add upon the stage presentation, but noted several “excellent” dance numbers.
Below: An article from the July 1929 issue of Photoplay discussing challenges costume designers were having with sound films.
Film Images:
Below: An on the set photo published
in the May 1929 issue of Photoplay.
What the Picture Did for Me:
Exhibitor Herald-World‘s long-running column for independent theater owners to tell each other what type of business was made and what the quality of the product was during their showings. Some also wrote the days the film was shown in their theater.
December 7, 1929:
Four Marx Brothers – October 6. Excellent. Is 100 percent entertainment. The type of picture the public is looking for. Recording perfect. Charles Born, Elks theatre, Prescott, Ariz. – General Patronage
December 28, 1929:
Four Marx Brothers- November 14-15-16. Great stuff! This is one reason why the talkies are a God-send to the small town under 1,000 population. Entertainment of this sort is appreciated and badly needed by the “tank.” Paramount’s courteous treatment makes it a pleasure to do business with them. — Carl Veseth, Palace theatre, Malta, Mont. — General patronage.
January 11, 1930:
Four Marx Brothers – A swell comedy, kept the audience on their toes all through. While it did not draw very well, it was not the fault of the picture. Business not so good right now. – Jack Green, New Genesco theatre, Genesco, Ill. Small town patronage.
Marx Brothers – November 17. Craziest comedy ever made, wonderful drawing power and pleased. If your patrons like to laugh, don’t pass this up. – J.J. Hoffman, Plainview theatre, Plainview, Neb. – General patronage.
Marx Brothers – December 9-10. Good comedy. Some good dancing and beautiful sets. Satisfied customers. Played two days to satisfactory business. Disc recording good. – R.A. Wilson, New theatre, Ark. – General patronage.
April 19, 1930:
Four Marx Brothers— April 4-5. This one was hot last fall, now it’s barely warm by comparison with what is being shown around us. Lost plenty. Ten reels. — O. A. Fosse, Community theatre, Ridgeway, LA. — General patronage
April 26, 1930:
Four Marx Brothers – March 27-28-29. This is a very good comedy. Is full of wisecracks. In fact, they come so fast you must see the picture at least twice in order to catch them all. Paramount gets you all take in at the gate, however. Not a special. Recording good. Ten reels. – Arvid G. Wiklund, State theatre, New England, N.D. – Small town patronage.
June 7, 1930:
Marx Brothers — This production was not worth the money paid for it and the wisecracks around here were not appreciated. Some people are still asking me what it was all about. Ten reels. — Frank Shepherd, Majestic theatre, Biggar, Sask., Canada. — General patronage.
June 14, 1930:
Special cast – May 18-19-20. The country folk turned out to hear and see this new talker and they put this over alright. This is a crazy show but people seemed to like it, especially men and young folks. That awful-looking Hibernian, Groucho Marx, nearly drove me wild with his monopolizing the show and wisecracking us to death, but the singing, dancing, and tomfoolery of the other Marx boys was just grand. I would like one of these a month, minus Groucho. End of reels were cut and some silent spots appeared which, considering the price we paid, was a bad pill to swallow. It’s going to be a fight to secure A1 prints. Run this before it gets any older. – Phillip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. – General patronage.
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