Differences Between Musical and 1929 Film
In addition to cutting the play for the film, there are a number of other differences:
- Henry Schlemmer is renamed as Mr. Hammer (the character portrayed by Groucho).
- Chico and Harpo's own first names are assigned to their characters in the titles but not spoken aloud in the film. "Wop" is an Italian ethnic slur, dropped for the film, although Chico retains his fake Italian accent as he would throughout his career.
- The role of Penelope is more sharply characterized as a shady character in the film; in the musical she sings two songs, which would detract from her role as a criminal.
- Florida By The Sea was made the opening musical number.
- After musical numbers, the play opens with a sequence of dialogues between Eddie, Jamison, Mrs. Potter, Harvey, and Polly to establish their characters. These were all eliminated for the film where the plot begins with the entrance of Hammer (Schlemmer).
- The role of Eddie, the bellhop is reduced to a few lines at the beginning of the film.
- The "Why a Duck" routine was added for the film.
- Sam's (i.e. Harpo's) harp specialty number was removed from the final scene. Instead he plays a clarinet reprise of When My Dreams Comes True from earlier in the film.
- The frequently-reprised song A Little Bungalow was dropped from the play and was replaced by When My Dreams Come True. The melody of verse of the latter song is derived from another song, We Should Care (which was also eliminated for the film).
Read more about this topic: The Cocoanuts (musical)
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