Reacting to THE COCOANUTS (1929) | Movie Reaction 

Man, Dawn's laugh just never get old. It makes my old man's heart happy to hear it.

We had a harp at our wedding. I asked the lady if she could play something Harpo played. She said, "I'm good but I'm not THAT good."

If everyone was like Dawn Marie, the world would be a much much better place.

This movie is basically a filmed version of the show they did on Broadway in New York. The singing and dancing were basics of the stage show.

Something to keep in mind is that in 1929, fully talking pictures were only two years old, and it took a while to figure out how to be able to let actors move around and talk at the same time. Oddly enough, it was a woman director, Dorothy Arzner, who was working at Paramount (same home studio as the Marxes), who hit on the idea of suspending a microphone from a pole to follow an actor out of frame; hence, the "boom mic." Thus, a production like this with a lot of moving parts, even though it has some clunky passages, was still a pretty ambitious endeavor. Notice how even today, some of the shots are briefly out of focus and the sound is rough, they were still in the baby steps of the process. In America, a "whale" is slang for a rich person who spends their money freely, especially in gambling or investing or donating to charity. So Groucho's "I know a whale when I see one," works on two levels - not just that Margaret Dumont is a stocky woman, but also that he's hoping she'll be loose with her wallet. in the "viaduct" exchange..."You know what a blueprint is?" Yeah, it's oysters" is a pun on what restaurants used to call a "Blue Plate Special," a dish not served every day because it costs more to prepare and sell, such as oysters. A "levee" is an embankment along a river that keeps it from flooding onto land (hence the term "when the levee breaks"), while "Levy" is a common surname for Jewish families. Besides being an opportunity for punning, it was also a slam at how at the time, Jewish people were not welcome to live in neighborhoods dominated by Protestants. As you've immersed yourself in their films, you've likely heard the anecdote about how Groucho had married a gentile woman, and had tried to get their family a membership in a Hollywood swim club which didn't accept Jewish members, cracking, "My kids are only half-Jewish; can't they just wade up to their knees?" Watching the Marxes on film is an interesting trajectory. You see how producers are hedging their bets with them by saddling them with subplots, characters, and musical numbers worrying that audiences may tire of their play in THE COCOANUTS, then in ANIMAL CRACKERS it's roughly the same structure (a theft, rival lovers, redemption), but they wisely cut the songs down and use them to help the boys, like "Hurray for Captain Spaulding." Then in the next three movies, they're mostly left alone to dominate the whole show; even though there's singing in HORSEFEATHERS, it's always the same song and it's used to further the fact that all of them are thirsty for Thelma Todd. But, since DUCK SOUP was such concentrated anarchy, and did poorly enough that Paramount dropped them, the thinking became to go back to the musical romance format of the first movies when they move to MGM. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA has the best balance because at least there the young lovers are both outstanding singers, and its in the setting of the story, and the gags are strong. But yeah, diminishing returns over the remainder of that quintet. If you are still interested in B&W comedies, two I strongly recommend, which are both uploaded here on RU-vid, are HELLZAPOPPIN' from 1941, and HI DIDDLE DIDDLE from 1943. They're both very innovative in that there's lots of meta-jokes and fourth-wall breaking.

The Marx brothers look "different" because this was their first movie and they were all young. Margret Dumont was in so many of their movies Groucho called her the fifth Marx Brother. She played the "Rich Widow" so well, because she actually was a rich widow.

Also - an "Alligator Pear" is an old phrase they used to use for Avocados.

My favorite Groucho quote : I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me as a member

I love that you get the comedic genius of the marx bros. Too many kids nowadays just think that they are stupid but they're only half right ...they're hilariously stupid! You get their comedy and that puts you above the rest. Thanks for sharing your reaction and I love your laughs and smile!

"There's a man outside to see you with a black mustache". Grocho: "Tell him I've got one." 🤣🤣🤣

I love the way Harpo's face changes when he begins to play his harp, it softens and seems full of joy and satisfaction somehow.

In 1929, film makers were still figuring out, what the audience wanted in "talkies". They initially assumed, that they wanted music & singing, more than they wanted dialogue.

There was a fifth brother named Gummo that never appeared in any of the movies. If you love Harpo he actually wrote a book called Harpo Speaks that is his autobiography. You will find out he was quite a wonderful person and had a lot of intellectual friends. Groucho hosted a gameshow on Radio and TV for years called You Bet Your Life. It wasn't much of a game but mostly a chance for Groucho to interview the people on the show and try to get them to say the secret word. And since you brought up that you wanted to be the female Harpo, we need to see you in a Harpo wig.

The bit about the Jewish neighborhood references Levi as a common Jewish American surname. Then Groucho says 'passover' it.

I want to go pub crawling with Dawn, you have to admire a woman that likes low brow comedy so much. How fun she must be, her laugh cracks me up.

Marx Brothers are brilliant. Also Laurel and Hardy. 'The Music Box' won an Oscar, it's a great place to start. Best comedy duo of all time. ❤

The hats are called “cloche” which came from a French word for ‘bell’ and were the epitome of stylishness in 1930’s and 30’s. They were almost an opposite of the huge, elaborately decorated hats of the Late Victorian and the Edwardian time. They fit with the new hairstyles of the time, very simple, sleek and form fitting. They also matched the interest in Art Deco as a trend in everything from fashion to home decor, with an emphasis on architectural lines, geometric shapes, sharp angles and very streamlined as contrasted with the earlier designs of Art Nouveau with all its curves and fancy flourishes.

"Condom hats" -- LOL!!! Yeah, those hats were the in-thing during the late 1920s and early 1930s. You'll see them regularly in films of this period. About Harpo's wig... It was originally red, and you'll hear him referred to as being "red-headed" even in later movies, but the wig was lightened because it appeared too dark on film as evidenced here. BTW, love your idea that people should break into song in real life. LOL!

I love it when you watch old movies!

Many of the pre-code Marx Brothers films were censored with some of the more "adult" jokes cut out during theatrical re-releases after the Hayes Code was implemented. In current restorations they were only able to find some of the cut footage.

Hello Dawn . You crack me up with your Laugh. Your reaction is very infectious. Thanks for being you .

The lady with the condom hat was a "Flapper" ..Women who were considered one of the first Females who wanted liberation. The hat was a "Flapper Cap" worn usually over very short hair.

I love how you have discovered these classic gems.

the thing the thing about Dawn is she’s a natural beauty without even having to try

Harpo is my favorite, especially in his real life because he was a genuine, happy man and loved being with his wife and kids, fun story he would get home late after filming and his kids were already in bed and he hadn't gotten a chance to play with them before bed sooo, he woke em up and took them out in the front yard and had a ball playing and swimming with them much to the dismay of his neighbors and wife 😂😂😂😂.

Groucho wisecracking, Harpo harping, and Chico shooting the keys made for a very enjoyable time growing up. So glad you have been diving into the madness.

I saw this for the first time as a film student at UCLA in 1968. An audience of "sophisticated" students in their 20's. I never heard an audience roar with such laughter in my life.

1. “Cocoanuts” is an old spelling of “coconuts.” And “alligator pear” is an old word for “avocado.” 2. The C strings on a harp are coloured red, and the F strings are blue (or sometimes purple or black). The other strings are either white or their natural colour. You can only just see the difference on the black and white film.

This is the closest you'll ever come to seeing their Vaudeville act before they were in the movies. Great reaction Dawn. When you get through the Marx Brothers, you can try WC Fields and Mae West. Different type of comedy, but enjoyable to an open mind like yours.

The fact that poor Margaret never had an idea what the jokes were, even in real life. She totally makes it hilarious.

This was their first film that had sound. This movie came out in 1929, 2 years after sound was first used in cinema. Their very first film, Humor Risk, came out 8 years earlier. That's why they look so different!

Harpo was self-taught as a harpist, and was technically playing it "wrong," but he played as well if not better than many great harpists. He was truly unique in so many ways. He did have some LP records of his harp playing. Not sure if any were put on CD, but you should be able to search some of that music even on RU-vid, as I am sure someone has uploaded the LP or tracks from it at some point.

I agree. I was feeling a bit glum today. Then, I saw Dawn Marie posted a new video. Needless to say, my mood was boasted. Her laugh is infectious and uplifting. I wonder how she would react to the Three Stooges. I can see her going absolutely mad for Curly, Moe, and Larry. She would want to go around bashing people and smacking heads and kicking butts. And Curly's madcap antics would send her over the edge. Her own laughter would have her in tears. Dawn Marie. I have the ultimate car movie for you. It has funny characters and the kind of comedy you will absolutely love, love, love. It's called SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT. Enjoy

For some Classic Comedy /Halloween Theme, There's "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein". It's part of a whole series of "Abbott and Costello Metts" with the Actors that made the on screen roles Famous (Like Bela Lugosi as Dracula).

"My friends...I really don't know what to say..." "Well, shut up!" "What a splendid suggestion!" (Shakes hands) XD!!! "Awww, his hairs not blonde!" Actually, Harpo's hair just looks blonde in black and white. His curly wig is pink. In this one, I love Harpo's quirk of eating inedible things(though they really were edible. The buttons were candies, the mouthpiece of the phone was chocolate and the ink was Coca-cola.) "Did anyone tell you you look like the Prince of Wales?" (Harpo nods) "Do you know who I am?" (Shakes head) "Do you know my room number?" (Nods) XXDDDDDDDDD!!!!! "You remember me, the Prince of Wales?" (Knock knock) "Who is it?" "The king of England." "My FATHER!" XD!!! Harpo stealing everything when the guy is trying to read the letter is a great gag.

Love your maniacal laughing with the marx bros movies. 😁

Dawn and the boys, THE BEST!!!

According to one biography, at some point they were locked in cages between takes. They would either cause havoc on the set, or run off to drink or gamble if not restrained.

Bit of trivia: When they were filming this movie, they had to build a special soundproof booth for the director. He would laugh so hard during some of the scenes that he kept ruining the sound recording.

Groucho lived a long time and he was just as funny and clever as always right to the end

Chorus lines in early movie musicals were common when after silents the studios went to all singing and dancing and for a while stage musicals had those chorus lines as well. Harpo was always my favorite. He was self-taught when it came to the harp.

Groucho's wit is unmatched

This film is almost a hundred years old (1929). It's as close as you'll ever see to their on stage antics. It's brilliant. It shows its age but it's still deeply funny.

When I was a kid, my Mom dressed up as a female Harpo. Wig, hat, long coat, pockets full of random objects. Best costume ever!

this is so early, the film was shot at Paramounts Astoria studios, In NYC. So many films in 1929 (a few silents came out that year) were all Talking , All Singing, all Dancing! in 1929, then , quickly, the public grew tired of musicals by 1930 or so

If you look up coconut in WIkipedia it will tell you that cocoanut is an "archaic spelling." Wikipedia also has an article on the Cocoanut Grove fire -- a nightclub in Boston, which burned down in 1942. The article on The Cocoanuts (film) doesn't mention anything about the misspelling. It's just an old way of spelling it.

I love this ladies laugh and facial expressions. I am a huge Marx Brothers fan also, have seen all their movies, but the way it lights Dawn Marie up, its like seeing them all over for the first time. Just her smile makes this gorgeous lady all the more beautiful :)

Found you when you did the first few Marx Brothers films. Love all your reactions but so much respect for the Marx reactions!

❤wonderful reaction Miss Dawn...love your laugh! And congrats on the 50k. It's well deserved❤️

You're the best. No one I'd rather watch the Brothers with. And a Scottish accent,,,,,what's better than that?

This was filmed in the then east coast studio of Paramount Pictures and its now called Kauffman--Astoria Studios in Astoria in Queens . This was just across The East River from Manhatten and the theater district . People like the Marx Brothers and Claudette Colbert could do movies during the day and taxi back on the 59th street bridge to their Broadway jobs at night easily in the early talkie days . A You Tuber named Action Kid dida video about two years ago and walked by the place . It looks like a big factory but many a movie and TV show were filmed there .

I've been a Marx brother lover since I was a small child. I'm in my late 60's & still laugh every time I see them. They never get old.

Harpo's hair (wig) was actually red. You aren't alone in thinking it was blonde.

You can't tell because the films are in black and white but Harpo's wig, especially in the early days, was different shades of pink, and even later when it appeared more "blonde".

You still need to see A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA. There is a hilarious scene between Harpo and chico that I know you will enjoy sooo much! You'll think it's the best thing ever!!

The film’s release coincided with the Great Depression, providing audiences with much-needed laughter and escapism during a difficult time.

Margaret Dumont (Mrs. Potter) plays such a great straight-woman because she genuinely doesn't get the jokes. She was in a number of there movies and simply never got the jokes.

Harpo's original wig was red, but it was later lightened. And to most people it looked blonde but they are several references in the movies to him being a "redheaded fellow".

This was basically their Broadway show, filmed. Keep in mind some jokes are dated. If you listen to the commentary on the blu-rays, the they are explained. I love the idea of a Harpo wig on you wedding harpist, do it!

Important to note that this is an early sound film, so if it comes off more stagey than usual, even for the era, it is because of this (as well as it having been based on an actual stage production). The cameras had to be place in what was basically large boxes to keep the sounds of the camera's gears, or such from being picked up on the soundtrack, I recall reading before. Sound technology, especially for film was still in its infancy, sand this film bears that out in those terms, Still, the humor of the Marxes still shine through.

Penelope was played by Kay Francis. Her 2nd film. She went on to become one of the highest paid actresses of the 1930s.

New subscriber here: Loved your reaction, Dawn. FUN FACT: All 4 brothers were filming 'The Cocoanuts' during the day and performing 'Animal Crackers' on Broadway during the night. Except for Zeppo who was around 28 - Chico, Harpo & Groucho were already in their 40's during this time.

Your laugh is so beautiful, sparkling, and contagious it turns a bad day into a happy one. ❤

Harpo's wig was always red on the stage until they started doing the movies. They changed it to blonde because they found out it read better on black and white film.

Harpo was self taught and didnt actually play the harp correctly, his fingering was wrong, he played on the wrong shoulder, etc. When his son grew up and graduated Julliard he worked with his father to improve his style. Harpo at the time was the only harp player playing popular tunes and that was why he became so popular. The author (& friend of Harpo) Alexander Woolcott said "“It is, indeed, one of the more annoying phenomena of the American theatre that a man should become known from coast to coast by the name of an instrument which, properly speaking, he cannot play at all.” Professional harpists & musicians often criticized Harpo. But people loved him (I do!)

Harpo was probably the most happy in the end out of all the Marx brothers. Chico was a ladies men but also heavily into alcohol. Groucho also had a relatively pessimistic attitude of life and went through several marriages. I think the children of Groucho have said that Harpo was a kind of a safe haven in the midst of all the turbulance that happened in other brothers lifes. Not sure about what happened with Zeppo who was the romantic lead in some of the Marx brothers movies.

"There's a man outside with a moustache that wants to talk to you". Groucho-"Tell him I already have a moustache!" 🤣

Seaming of the female Harpo, there was an episode of, “I Love Lucy” that had Harpo on it and she got to dress as him and they did the classic mirror scene together. I haven’t seen it since I was a kid but I remember it being great. I grew up watching shows that were well before my time lol.

The reason for the musical or dancing cuts was that was a normal part of their act. Movies were new, at least longer ones with sound. No one was sure what sort of format or pacing would work. So they went with what they knew, their vaudeville show but streached out. It was normal in vaudeville for a singing or dance routine to be placed between other acts. It broke the monotony and gave them time to reset the stage.

Coconauts was the first one I saw years ago (probably while sick, home from grade school) - later I found out in the 20's..they were just draining the everglades in florida so there was a land rush and a lot of not-so-honest land sellers sprung up... and this was making fun of all that going on

"He's not blonde!" Harpo wears a red wig sometimes, a holdover from vaudeville, but the blonde one looks better on camera.

Think we all zone out during certain portions of their movies, but we still love these films anyway.

An "Alligator Pear" is an Avocado.

I love the Marx Brothers. I saw "Duck Soup" on TV at 5, I knew there was something odd when they pulled down a window shade after a huge bullet came through the window. They never get old.

2:00. I use that line all the time "came to Florida without a nickel in my pocket. Florida had one of its many land booms and crashes in the twenties.

You must watch an old British comedy film with the great Will Hay - Oh Mr. Porter

Dawn, I enjoy your Marx Brothers reactions so very much!!! They're my favorites, too!!! Your laughter is so delightful when you watch them!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🌹

Penelope is played by stylish and beautiful Kay Francis, a truly big-time star in the 1930s. She is usually seen in melodramas and intense "womens' movies" but can occasionally show her comedic charms in movies like "Trouble in Paradise". She had trouble pronouncing the letter "r" and was sometimes teasingly called "the wavishing Kay Fwancis". "Trouble in Paradise" is a very fun movie, by the way, starring Herbert Marshal and Miriam Hopkins alongside Francis. It was directed by Ernst Lubitsch, who knew how to work his way around the Hays Code and get some very sensual moments in his movies. I am SOOO tempted to give you one of my favorite moments from the movie, but I can't: it's a key plot point, and if you ever watch this movie, you mustn't be spoiled.

They also sound different because sound and miking was in a primitive stage. I believe in these days they were using a single boom mike.

Long ago the spelling for the tree and its fruit we know now as ‘coconut’ included the letter a. But as cocoa, made from the cacao plant, became more popular and no one wanted any confusion about it, and the drive towards modernization was simplifying words, the ‘a’ was dropped. By WW2, the spelling had been universally replaced. However some locations which had been named long ago, (such as Florida references in this film) might have decided to keep their original spelling of cocoanut.

In order to enjoy this movie, even better, you just have to remember that this movie was made 2 years before the first talking pictures were made. And Hollywood was looking for new and modern inventions for motion pictures.

I've seen all their movies a bunch of times and I still put the closed captioning on because a lot of their jokes are fast or throwaway lines...

This was their first film and it was based on one of their plays.

Dawn, I love how you love the Marx Brothers. They've been favorites of mine since childhood. And your laughter just adds so much joy! 😸

Also this being their first movie they look SOOOO young!!!

How ever you want to pronounce cocoanuts is just fine with me, Dawn Marie. I simply adore your Scottish accent.

Anyone else trying to imagine Dawn singing 'best movie ever'? 😊

That hat is called a cloche, and it was popular with flappers during the Roaring 20s...

you can tell older film one of the first talkies and the paper in the scenes looked soaked because it is soaked....the mics techs on set couldn't get the paper sound not to overtake the talking soooo they just soaked the paper for the scenes

You're the best DM!!!❤

In between takes, Groucho would be on the phone with his stock broker. He lost a bundle on the market. And he wasn’t joking about buying land in Florida.

Harpo pulled out a lollipop for comfort. "Here's a lolly to make you smile"😭

The dancing women were there because this was a musical comedy for the theatre, whic had dancing chrous girl in it.

The style here was the end of the "flapper" era. That type of headwear was the rage

Salut from Cannes. The french title is " Noix de coco ". See you next movie reaction. Au revoir tout le monde. 🌍

Harpo taught himself how to play the harp cause he knew people would love it and he decided to be mute cause he kept Messing up and forgeting his Lines and the curly hair is a wig in the very first ones it was red and later on it was blond i love these guys this was their first movies that’s why they look so young/diffrent chico got his accent from being a ice and booze salesman and since all of them were jewish he was scared to get beaten up so he faked it to seem tough

This is a great example of the brothers genius as it was their first movie. You can see the formation of these iconic characters in real time. A great choice. Dawn you never disappoint with your reactions. 😄 They always make my day. X XX

_"That's because you've never been an alligator. And don't let it happen again."_

There is just nothing better than a Marx Brothers movie. If you ever get to the point that you want to see genius on a whole other level, try some of the silent geniuses ... like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and especially Harold Lloyd. I've studied them intently, and it's comedy on a masterpiece level. Thanks for being you, Dawn!!

They're all bit younger and leaner since this is their first movie release.