Sensational vintage sepia matte-finish 9.5 x 6.75 photo of the four Marx brothers posing together on the set of the 1925 stage version of The Cocoanuts, signed in blue ink, "May you work with us again, Sincerely, Chico" and "Zeppo, Germany must pay," and in fountain pen, "How about my kiss, Love from Groucho" and "Love from Harpo." Another hand has added an inscription above Groucho's signature. In very good to fine condition, with creasing, primarily to the corners, and a heavier diagonal crease passing above Chico's wrists.
With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and a book by George S. Kaufman, The Cocoanuts was written specifically for the Marx Brothers after the success of their hit musical I'll Say She Is. The Broadway run opened at the Lyric Theatre on December 8, 1925, and closed after 276 performances on August 7, 1926. A touring show soon followed, and its popularity prompted Paramount to turn it into a film in 1929. The Marx Brothers initially wanted it scrapped—when they were shown the final cut, the brothers immediately attempted to buy the negative and prevent its release. Fortunately for them, Paramount refused, and the movie soon became a huge box office hit, earning an estimated $1,800,000 and distinguishing it as one of the most successful early talking films. Today, the film is much more well-known than its stage predecessor. An immensely desirable photo signed nicely by each of the four Marx Bros.
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