Another Fine Mess (1930)

Two homeless vagabonds hide out in a vacant mansion and pose as the residents when prospective lessees arrive and try to rent it.

Director:

James Parrott

Writer:

H.M. Walker (dialogue)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Harry Bernard

Cast

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

Storyline

Homeless, penniless and one step ahead of the police, Stanley and Oliver take refuge in the home of big-game hunter Colonel Buckshot while the owner is on safari. When Lord and Lady Plumtree call to enquire about renting the house, Oliver pretends to be Colonel Buckshot, while Stanley masquerades as both butler and maid. All goes as well as can be expected, with Lady Plumtree and Stanley, in his guise as "Agnes," engaging in girl talk, until the real Colonel Buckshot returns unexpectedly.

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Plot Keywords:

cross dressing | laurel and hardy | scam | slapstick comedy | pushing | 

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Taglines:

Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy have many ups and downs -- Mr. Hardy takes charge of the upping, and Mr. Laurel does most of the downing.

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Laurel and Hardy: Another Fine Mess

Filming Locations:

West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

29 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System) (A Victor Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The main credits are spoken by two pretty girls in theater usher uniforms.

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Goofs

Lord Plumtree has a handkerchief in his top pocket which throughout the film goes from barely being visible to hanging halfway down his jacket.

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Quotes

Lady Plumtree: Agnes, how long have you been here?
Stan: [in drag as the maid] About half an hour.
[realizing what she has said]
Stan: Oh, heh!
[laughs]
Stan: How silly of me! I'm so nervous. Heh, I mean half a year - to be exact, three months!

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Alternate Versions

The original UK VHS edition of this film (released on the Virgin/VVL label in 1991) omits 16 seconds in the scene where Hardy is looking for his billiard room. He opens the door and escorts Plumtree into a room and says "Now what did I do with that billiard room?" The scene runs from 18:32-18:48 on the UK DVD. The scene is restored in its entirety in the DVD edition.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Addams Family: The Addams Policy (1966)

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Soundtracks

Ku-Ku
(1928) (uncredited)
Music by Marvin Hatley
Played during the opening credits

User Reviews

They Could Act!

After a weird reading of the credits, the boys find themselves in a mansion where the staff has disappeared. The millionaire, Colonel Buckshot, is off on a Safari. In order to avoid the police, who are after them, Stan and Ollie must impersonate the absent Buckshot and the maid, Agnes, and Hives, the butler. Their interactions are priceless and the story is well scripted. Everything rolls along fine until Buckshot returns. The byplay between our two buddies is priceless. The inimitable Jimmy Finlayson is Buckshot and his quick responses to the craziness in the house are great. But Stan and Ollie really steal the show. Oliver, with his improvised take on a millionaire, and Stanley, once again in drag, stealing every scene. One of the best of the best.