This Marx Brothers romp with music by Irving Berlin takes place in Florida during the 1920s land boom, which was, of course, followed by a bust. Mr. Hammer (Groucho) owns the all-but-bankrupt Cocoanut Hotel, as well the dubious real estate development Cocoanut Manor that he tries to sell off to gullible buyers.
His only clerk and bellhop, Robert Jamison (Zeppo), runs rampant trying to hold the hotel together, all the while planning how to break free and make it big as an architect in order to marry his sweetheart, Polly Potter. They have been hiding their relationship from Polly’s mother, a wealthy member of the upper class who wants nothing less than an eligible match for her daughter.
Harvey Yates, of the “Boston Yates,” sees his opportunity to regain his wealth and pay off his debts by going after Polly. Mrs. Potter readily agrees to match him up with her daughter.
Enter the other Marx Brothers (Chico and Harpo) as thieving, nutty hotel guests. Harvey’s cunning accomplice, Penelope, has a plan to make them both wealthy: steal Mrs. Potter’s very expensive diamond necklace and frame it on someone there at the hotel. With the scheme in place, all chaos and zaniness breaks loose. Meanwhile, Robert and Polly dream of their “little bungalow” together. How will all the plotting and planning turn out? Will the crooks make off with the valuables? Who will get blamed? Will the lovers find happiness? Hold onto your hats for a zany ride!
