This screening is presented by the Washington University Libraries in celebration of Public Domain Day! The film will be projected from a 16mm print.

On January 1, 2025, the Marx Brothers enter the public domain with their first feature, THE COCOANUTS! Based on the hit George S. Kaufman-penned Broadway show and featuring songs composed by Irving Berlin, the film was a smash, making it one of Hollywood’s earliest talkie successes. As usual in the absurdist world of the Marx Brothers, the plot is a barely-there excuse for a bunch of madcap verbal, physical and musical gags — this time centered around the Hotel de Cocoanut, which is run by Mr. Hammer (Groucho) and his assistant Jamison (Zeppo) and in which con men Chico and Harpo (both eponymously named) run amuck. Though lesser seen than later Marx Bros. masterpieces like Duck Soup and A Night the Opera, THE COCOANUTS is a little shaggier but no less entertaining.

This screening is free, but tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved using the link above.

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.

THEATER POLICIES

All seats are first-come, first-served.

The theater opens 30 minutes prior to showtime, except for “Happy Hour” events and pre-shows when the theater opens at the listed start time.

All ages are welcome at Arkadin except for Drinkolas Cage events, which are restricted to 21+. We follow the MPAA rating guidelines for all other films.

Tickets can be purchased using the BUY TICKETS link above. Upon ordering, you will receive a confirmation email from Square. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the show at the concession counter.

If you’ve purchased advance tickets, when you arrive, please give your name at the concession counter to check in.

Tickets are returnable by sending a request through the contact form located on our About Us page prior to showtime.

When an event is sold out, we reserve the right to release open seats to customers on the waitlist. If you have a pre-purchased ticket and arrive late and there is no seat for you, your ticket will be refunded.

All screenings are held in our indoor theater unless indicated otherwise in the event description above.

Please respect your fellow movie-goers by remaining quiet and refraining from using your cell phone throughout the screening.