#216: The Music Box

Release Date: April 16th, 1932

Format: Streaming (YouTube)

Written by: H.M. Walker

Directed by: James Parrott

4 Stars

This is my first foray into the works of the legendary comedy team, Laurel & Hardy.

It did not disappoint. At one point I was laughing so hard I had to pause the short film to clear the tears from my eyes. Then I rewinded to watch the gag again. And then a third time. Really funny stuff.

The story couldn’t be more simple. It’s about two dummies who work as movers, trying to deliver a piano up a huge flight of stairs. 

It’s a perfect comedy short. I love how the duo are simultaneously subtle and zany at the same time. The physical comedy is the star of the show, but there is some clever wordplay too. We even get a nice little musical dance number at the end, in case you had any doubt about their vaudeville roots.

With Hollywood mostly abandoning the comedy genre the last ten years, maybe we just need to all flock to YouTube to watch vaudeville comedians like Laurel & Hardy for free. Sure their stuff is 100-years-old, but it sure hits the spot.