The Cocoanuts

(LIVELY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)

We wanna see you, Mr. Hammer.

What's wrong? Somebody pay their bill?

We want our money.

Yes, money.

You want your money?

We wanna get paid.

Oh, you want my money? Is that fair? Do I want your money?

If Washington's soldiers asked for money,

where would this country be today?

But they did ask.

And where's Washington?

No, my friends.

Money will never make you happy,

and happy will never make you money.

That might be a wisecrack, but I doubt it.

We want our money.

I'll make you all a promise.

If you'll all stick with me and work hard, we'll forget about money.

Let's get together and make a regular hotel of this place.

I'll put writing paper in the hotel.

And next year, if you behave, I'll put in envelopes.

I'll put extra blankets free in all your rooms. There'll be no cover charge.

Think of the opportunities here in Florida.

Three years ago, I came to Florida without a nickel.

Now I've got a nickel.

That's all very well, Mr. Hammer.

But we haven't been paid in two weeks, and we want our wages.

Wages? Do you wanna be wage slaves? Answer me that.

No.

No. What makes wage slaves?

Wages. I want you to be free.

Remember, there's nothing like liberty,

except Colliers and the Saturday Evening Post.

Be free, my friends. One for all and all for me,

and me for you, and three for five, and six for a quarter.

Pardon me. Telegrams for you, Mr. Hammer.

There you are. Business is beginning to pick up already.

Now if you boys will only be calm...

"We arrive this afternoon on the 4:30. Kindly

"reserve two floors and three ceilings."

Must be mice.

"If we like your property, we will immediately buy it."

Things are going our way already.

Who's it from?

Western Union, and they've got a lot of money, too.

On the 4:15? Well, I'll take the bus down myself.

Here's another one.

We're gonna be stuffed by tonight.

This hotel will be so crowded that

we'll be turning away thousands of people.

"If there is another hotel in Cocoanut Beach, cancel our reservations."

I knew it. It was too good. Wait a minute.

"P.S. Aunt Fanny had an 8-pound boy. Can you come to the wedding?"

You see, everything is all right, boys.

You're all invited to the wedding of Aunt Fanny's 8-pound boy.

Hooray!

But that won't be for a couple of years yet.

In the meantime, I want you to buck up, get down to work.

Let's put this thing over with a bang.

And above all, forget about money.

Don't think of it because you won't get it anyway.

(UPBEAT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)

See that? I keep them dancing for their money.

Jamison, I'm going down to meet the 4:15.

If I never come back, I'll be still waiting for the train.

In my absence, I'm relying on you to handle everything.

You can depend upon me, sir. That's fine.

If any guests come, take good care of them.

And think of me. You bet I will.

I'll be back someday. All right.

Keep a light burning in the window, if you can find a window.

All right, sir. Goodbye, Jamison.

Hello, Harvey. Why so downhearted?

Is Bob Adams cutting you out with Polly Potter?

I'm not worried about a hotel clerk.

No, but I'll bet you're worried about the Potter millions.

You generally could use money in the old days.

Lay off that stuff.

Marrying Polly is the only way for you to square your debts.

I can take care of myself.

I doubt it.

Suppose I have a little plan that'll take care of both of us.

What do you mean?

Have you ever seen that diamond necklace of Mrs. Potter's?

You bet I have. What's that got to do with us?

Her room and my room are right next to each other.

Hers is 318. Mine, 320.

The door between is unlocked.

Well?

She keeps everything in a jewel case locked up in her dresser.

The key is always in her bag. That's what you've got to get.

It's a large order, but maybe it can be done.

Suppose I invite Mrs. Potter and Polly

to take supper with me tonight?

What then?

Sometime during the evening, I might be able to get the key out of her bag.

Now you're talking. That sounds more like old times.

Now I'll try and get rid of Bob Adams for you.

This is Cocoanut Manor. You know that hill?

What a question. Do I know that cunning little hill?

True, but that's why there hasn't been any development here.

Couldn't it be cut down?

Too expensive. Here's what happened.

John W. Berryman was here to see it last month.

Berryman practically built Palm Beach and Miami,

but he said he wouldn't touch this.

When a man like that passes a place up, no one wants it.

Do you know anything about architecture?

No, but I'd love to learn.

I made a drawing of the whole place showing the hills,

as a built-up scheme,

without cutting down the hill or having it get in the way.

I made the hill fit in with the architectural scheme.

I sent Berryman a copy last week.

His secretary wrote me saying they were studying my plans.

That's thrilling. Does Mr. Hammer know about it?

Not yet. But if he takes it, I'll design the buildings.

Say, I may be an architect yet.

If he only does, I'm sure it will be

the most beautiful place in the world.

It would be if you lived there.

Look, see what I've written?

"Heaven for Polly and me."

That looks great. When do I move in?

Any day now.

It's a lovely dream, Bob.

Let's make it come true.

Will you look at that?

I am looking.

It's darn cute. I wonder who it can be. Let's find out.

Then little Red Riding Hood said to the wolf, "Wolf, wolf."

Hello.

How do you do, Miss Potter?

Your mother is looking for you, Polly.

She generally is, and she generally finds me.

You know Mother. Thanks a lot.

It was a lovely story, Mr. Adams.

I'd like to hear the rest of it sometime.

Goodbye.

I wonder if I could hear it sometime.

With pleasure. How about you, Yates?

No, thanks. You know what happens

to bad little boys who tell stories?

Certainly. They marry the beautiful princess. So long.

Nice boy. The kind who usually gets what he wants.

Not always. I might win out yet.

Well, miracles do happen.

Polly, you've been out again with Mr. Adams.

But only for a little while, Mother.

Why a daughter of mine should fool around with a hotel clerk

when she has the opportunity of marrying one of the Boston Yates

is more than I can understand. Who cares about the Boston Yates?

Anyway, Bob isn't a clerk. He's an architect.

He's only clerking until he can get started.

One who clerks is a clerk, and that settles it.

And I want you to remember

that no Potter has ever been involved in a single scandal.

How about Uncle Dick?

It's a well-known fact that your uncle was drunk at the time.

Another thing...

I'm tired of your sitting out on the beach at all hours of the night.

Hey!

Take something for that insomnia.

You ought to stop drinking so much coffee.

I'm sorry, sir. Any luck with the 4:30?

Yes, it didn't hit me. That's the only luck I had.

I think I know what's wrong with the hotel.

I know, too. You're fired. Get your hat and my coat. Get out.

Maybe the season hasn't started yet.

Maybe the hotel hasn't opened yet.

Don't worry. In a few weeks, you'll be cleaning up.

And making the beds. Get out of here. I can handle this rush myself.

Six hundred rooms in the hotel, and you have to sleep here.

How do you do?

Why don't you whistle at the crossing?

You're just the woman I'm looking for.

I'm gonna tell you about Florida real estate.

First time it's ever been mentioned down here.

I'm sorry, but...

Do you know that property values

have increased 1929 since 1,000%?