Another Fine Mess

I noticed that in general, all Laurel and Hardy films get very high ratings--even some really bad ones (such as their films for FOX in the 1940s). While I do love their films, I am not so gung-ho that I want to pretend EVERYTHING they did was great--some films were bad and some were only okay. This film definitely falls into the okay category with overly familiar situations and humor that just doesn't make you laugh. Seeing Stan dressed in drag wasn't too funny and nothing really stood out in this movie to make it anything other than just a time-passer. Instead of watching this one, try to find one of their better shorts such as BIG BUSINESS, THE MUSIC BOX or THE PERFECT DAY. FYI--This videotape was from Hallmark/Artisan and was Colorized. As always, Colorized films look like crap and detract from the overall experience unless you have a * for ugly pastels. Try to find a non-colorized version if at all possible.

Moviecut—Another Fine Mess

source: Another Fine Mess

Another Fine Mess

"Another Fine Mess" is a 1930 short film starring Stan and Ollie. It is one of their earlier non-silent works and runs for slightly under half an hour. Director James Parrott and writer H.M. Walker worked with the two on many occasions and very both very prolific people in the film industry despite their early deaths (especially Parrott's). It's a black-and-white movie, but certainly not among Laurel and Hardy's best. The problem may be the story. It relies on humor all based on drag and costumes in general instead of delivering a convincing and genuinely funny story. This is not the best choice for Stan and Ollie or for anybody else. I must say this film about the duo being a pair of homeless vagabonds who pretend to be wealthy house owners is a bit of a disappointment. Thumbs down.

Another Fine Mess (1930) *** (out of 4) Laurel and Hardy, being chased by the police, enter a mansion and assume the identity of the owner and maid. This is a very funny short with highlights including Laurel going from the butler to the maid in a matter of minute to the best moment at the end of the film in a horse outfit. From Soup to Nuts (1928) *** (out of 4) Laurel and Hardy are waiters to a rich party but havoc begins as they start to serve the food. This is a delightful short that doesn't have too much going for it other than the boys falling into the food but this here is quite funny especially Hardy and the cake.

Seeing Stan Laurel as Agnes the maid in this film is absolutely fantastic. I especially love his girlie chat with Mrs Plumtree on the sofa. This particular scene of the film illustrates Stan's adaptability to talkie films, and to situation comedy, where there is less of the usual slapstick. I guess the use of more dialogue over slapstick in Another Fine Mess is due to the fact that it was thought that such comedy genre would be less funny, and therefore irrelevant to talkie films. Seeing Stan and Ollie with more dialogue to perform takes allot of getting used to. However, I think the duo pulled it off in this film Very good viewing!

Hiding from the law (whom Stanley called ma'am), Laurel and Hardy hide out in the mansion owned by the pompous James Finlayson who is going away for six months. Posing as the colonel and his servants, they attempt to rent the house to an eccentric English nobleman and his sexy wife (Thelma Todd). Laurel goes between being the twin butler and maid (born in different cities) and seemingly getting away with it until Finlayson makes a surprise return. Laurel in his wig without the maid's outfit looks like Harpo Marxx, while Hardy is as far from a Southern colonel as he can be. Another three reeler, this has a great finale where the boys end up riding a bicycle while sharing a bull costume.

Laurel and Hardy are chased into Jimmy Finlayson's deserted mansion by the cops. When some Upper Class Twits come by to rent the joint, Oliver pretends to be master of the house, and Stanley makes out he is the butler.... and the maid. It's based on a skit by Laurel's father, Arthur Jefferson, and is straight music hall farce and very funny. A lot of that is undoubtedly due to the comedic charms of the Boys, although having Thelma Todd on board doesn't hurt. This is actually a remake. Laurel & Hardy had appeared in a silent version called DUCK SOUP a couple of years earlier.

A LAUREL & HARDY Comedy Short. On the run from the police, Stan & Ollie hide in a deserted mansion. But when an English nobleman appears, wanting to rent the place & meet the owner and servants, the Boys find themselves in ANOTHER FINE MESS. A funny early talkie. Highlight: Stan's hilarious impersonation of Agnes the Maid. That's James Finlayson as Colonel Buckshot, Charles K. Gerard & Thelma Todd as Lord and Lady Plumtree.