Big Business (1929)

Ollie and Stanley are two Christmas Tree sales reps who get into one of their usual mutual-destruction fights with a disgruntled homeowner.

Directors:

James W. Horne (as J. Wesley Horne), Leo McCarey

Writer:

H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie

Storyline

Stan and Ollie are Christmas tree salesmen in California. Business is slow and a simple argument with one grumpy prospective customer (James Finlayson) escalates from a simple argument into full scale mutual destruction - with Stan and Ollie destroying the customer's house and garden, whilst Finlayson reduces their car to scrap metal... all under the disbelieving gaze of a police officer and an assembled crowd.

---

Plot Keywords:

national film registry | 1920s | christmas tree | california | male police officer | 

---

Taglines:

The story of a man who turned the other cheek-and got punched in the nose.

---

Genres:

Short | Comedy | Family

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Finn's 'house' was close to Bannockburn Drive in Los Angeles. Finn was born in Larbert, Scotland 5 or 6 miles from Bannockburn.

---

Quotes

Ollie: Wouldn't you like to buy a Christmas tree?
First Customer: No thank you.
Ollie: Wouldn't your husband like to buy one?
First Customer: I have no husband.
Stan: If you had a husband would he buy one?
[Woman slams the door in Stan & Ollie's face]
Ollie: From now on I'll do the talking!

---

Crazy Credits

Director James Horne is listed in the credits as "J. Wesley Horne."

---

Connections

Edited into Dance of the Cookoos (1982)

User Reviews

Absurdity.

This classic Laurel and Hardy silent is definitely one of their best. Sound is not necessary to realize how absurd the concept of selling Christmas trees door-to-door in California is. The film drags a little bit at the beginning, but picks itself up incredibly fast to be incredibly funny. This is a must for everyone.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

20 April 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Business

Filming Locations:

10281 Dunleer Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

19 min

Sound Mix:

Silent Mono (musical score)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1