Rent The Cocoanuts (1929)

Landmark Comedy. - The Cocoanuts review by Steve

The standard view of The Cocoanuts is that it is a dated revue and only bursts into life when the Marx Brothers are on. But actually, the synchronised dancing is excellent, and anticipates Busby Berkley. There are no hits among the Irving Berlin songs, but they are still enjoyable. It is a string of sketches by variety acts, orbiting the premise of running a dysfunctional hotel in Florida.

Still, obviously, everyone goes to this to see the Marx Brothers' debut film, a reprise of their 1925 Broadway success. It's a very early talkie and apart from the musical number, the actors stand around the static camera to say their lines. Groucho doesn't do his walk. The direction is perfunctory. But in spite of the impediments, their chaotic energy still entertains.

There is an hierarchy of insanity. Groucho antagonises the normal characters, but is rattled by Chico. And Harpo menaces everyone. Anyone watching for Zeppo should know that most of his scenes got cut over the years. Plenty of credit is due to the writers who gave wit to the anarchy and composed Groucho's streams of sardonic absurdity (Morrie Ryskind adapted George Kaufman's stage play).

In the early Paramount films, the brothers aren't necessarily likeable. They connive, they purloin, they dupe... They are an irrepressible vortex of illogicality which we enter for 90m and depart feeling a bit frazzled. There's no way of processing this whirlwind of farce in one watch. It's that rapid pace that gives this very early comedy its energy. There would never be anyone else like the Marx Brothers.