Below Zero

[Angus McLaurel]

It`s the freezing Winter of 1929.Stan & Ollie are street musicans trying to earn of few dollars. Unfortunately they have an encounter with a local woman, who destroys their musical instruments. Luckily for them, they find a wallet full of money and head for the nearest steak-house.


Below Zero is a good Laurel & Hardy film in the fact that it`s a little different to their usual `pratfall` style. There are some very pleasant scenes. A great gag at the beginning ...

OLLIE: We've been playing here for two hours and haven`t made a dime... I think we`d better find a better spot.


As they pack their things up and move along, it turns out they`ve been playing outside the `deaf and dumb institute`. Very funny, but aren`t they being a bit prejudice? No way. This is followed by a scene where a blind man walks by, but somehow manages to see a coin on the floor within the snow. He picks it up and walks off. Prejudice?

There`s a nice touch as a bird manages to lay an egg in Stan`s cup. And after the evil woman destroys Ollie`s musical instrument, (just because of a snowball) she throws Stan`s piano thingy into the road just as a truck is about to pass to flatten it. (I would have sued her)

There`s a mouthwatering scene as Ollie orders his `Nice Juicy Steak, smothered in onions`. And why does Tiny Sandford carry a photo of himself in his wallet? (we won`t go into that!) Talking of wallets, where did Stan get his from?.

The end scene is another of my early recollections of Laurel & Hardy, as Stan drinks all the water out of the barrel to reveal a very large stomach. He whispers into Ollie`s ear, what appears to be along the lines of "Ollie, I`m dying for a piss", panics and leaves quickly.

I like Below Zero. It`s a very pleasant film. There aren`t that many gags in it when you consider it, but it moves along nicely, with a nice little musical segment too! (7/10)

[mgm]

How many people remember Paul Whiteman now?. Stan`s collapsing organ (pardon again)


makes me laugh as does Ollie's mine. The snow is like mashed potato – what was it made of?. Wouldn't the bird have left a ploppy not an egg?. What is the woman carrying?, paint, milk or wot?. She's a tough old boot and all. We don't see the policeman go past but the wallet must have only just been dropped as there's very little snow on it.


Why doesn't the plod chase the crook, lazy sod.

Just look at them steaks! Yummy.


OLLIE: Oh garcon, bring me a parfait
WAITER: Yes sir
STAN: Put one on my steak too
OLLIE: You don't put parfait's on steaks. (to waiter) just cancel the parfaits BUT bring me a small demitasse
WAITER: Yes sir
STAN: Oh gaston
WAITER: Yes sir
STAN: Bring me one too, in a big cup
OLLIE: A big cup!, where were you brung up

Nice wallet Stan. Isn't Pete an evil bugger chucking Stan in the barrel – if Stan had drowned would it be murder and would he get away with it with his police connection? – I can see it now "yes officer he just fell in the barrel" as the sound of money changing hands is heard. A pleasant little short. And don't forget, smothered in onions!. Rating 7/10

[piedmont]

Sorry to correct you Angus, but It wasn't Tiny Sandford as the policeman, It was Frank Holliday, who was also the Cabaret singer in "Blotto" (Deleted Scene) in some copies, and who in real life committed Suicide.

[Hives (aka Billy Gilbert)]

A genuine mistake I think piedmont, Tiny was Pete, the owner of the diner.
Very interesting about Frank Holliday.

[judgefoozle]

Jan 15, 2010 16:59:40 GMT piedmont said:

Sorry to correct you Angus, but It wasn't Tiny Sandford as the policeman, It was Frank Holliday, who was also the Cabaret singer in "Blotto" (Deleted Scene) in some copies, and who in real life committed Suicide.

Didn't know how Holliday met his end, so thanks Piedmont. Going round singing mournful songs, as in Blotto, is enough to drive you to it, I suppose. He looks a lot shorter in Blotto than he does in Zero.

[Angus McLaurel]

I stand corrected. Apologies for the error!

It's good to finally see someone start posting in these film threads for a change.
My reviews were written years ago!