Unaccustomed As We Are
Unaccustomed As We Are is the first sound comedy short film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy released on May 4, 1929.
| Unaccustomed As We Are | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Lewis R. Foster Hal Roach |
| Produced by | Hal Roach |
| Written by | Leo McCarey (story) H. M. Walker |
| Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Edgar Kennedy Mae Busch Thelma Todd |
| Cinematography | John MacBurnie Len Powers Jack Roach George Stevens |
| Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 18:00 (silent) 20:58 (sound) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English Silent with English intertitles |
Plot
Ollie brings Stan home for dinner and promises a big juicy steak, mushroom sauce, strawberries, whipped cream, cup of coffee and a big black cigar. Despite the offer of such a delicious temptation, Stan still feels the need to ask if the meal includes any nuts? When Oliver introduces Stan to Mrs. Hardy (Mae Busch), she does not welcome the surprise and storms out in a huff. Mrs. Kennedy (Thelma Todd), a neighbor from across the hall, offers to help the boys cook dinner; they, in turn, help to set her dress on fire. Mr. Kennedy (Edgar Kennedy), a cop and Mrs. Hardy, return home and the boys hide the slip-clad Mrs. K. in a trunk. Mrs. Hardy apologizes to Oliver for earlier and even brings some nuts for Stanley. However Oliver doesn't entertain her and announces that he's packed his trunk and is leaving for South America. This leads a quarrel between Oliver and his wife loud enough for Mr. Kennedy to interrupt. Mrs. Hardy explains the situation to Kennedy and runs off crying into the bedroom. Mr. Kennedy warns them that if any man would interfere in his marriage, he would cut his throat. Oliver tries to leave the room with the trunk, but Mr. Kennedy stops him and slams the trunk. This causes Mrs. Kennedy to scream. Mr. Kennedy understands who the boys are upto, so he calls Mrs. Hardy and tells her to prepare a nice dinner for the boys while he instructs them to take the trunk over to his apartment. Stan and Ollie do as they are told and when Kennedy gets them behind his closed door, he applauds their efforts in a round-about way. Unaware that his wife is within earshot, Mr. Kennedy starts bragging to the boys about his "technique" in extramarital liaisons. His furious wife then confronts him about it before giving him a bit of her own technique: throwing everything within range at him. Next door, Stan, Ollie and Mrs Hardy continue eating while trying to ignore the crashing, banging and shouting coming from the Kennedy's apartment. When it eventually stops, Mr Kennedy shows up, battered, bruised and in a terrible state. He leads Ollie out with a whistle and beats him up. He then prepares to do the same to Stan, but his wife has evidently not finished with him yet. She comes out of their apartment wielding a gigantic vase and, despite Mr. Kennedy's efforts to protect himself, crashes it over his head, putting him out for the count. Having evaded a beating, Stan then leaves as though nothing has happened, but falls down the stairs (offscreen) as Ollie watches and flinches with every thump and loud crash as he reaches the bottom.
Cast
- Stan Laurel as Stan
- Oliver Hardy as Ollie
- Edgar Kennedy as Officer Kennedy
- Mae Busch as Mrs. Hardy
- Thelma Todd as Mrs. Kennedy
Production notes
Unaccustomed As We Are is notable for being Laurel and Hardy's first sound film as well as the first all talkie short film by Hal Roach(the title was drawn from the popular cliché "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking ..."). The soundtrack was lost for 50 years until it was traced on disc in the late 1970s. A silent version, with intertitles, was also released, as well as a Victor disc International Sound Version (featuring a synchronized music score and sound effects).[1]
This is the first film in which Hardy says to Laurel, "Why don't you do something to help me!" which became a catchphrase, repeated in numerous subsequent films. Also heard for the first time is Stan's distinctive, high-pitched whimper of distress.[1]
The plot of Unaccustomed As We Are was expanded into the feature film Block-Heads in 1938. In addition, the gag of the spaghetti ending on Ollie's lap was originally conceived for their 1928 silent film Habeas Corpus, but was left unfilmed.[1]
References
- Skretvedt, Randy (1996). Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies. (2nd ed.) Anaheim, California: Past Times Publishing Co. ISBN 0-940410-29-X.