Laughing Gravy

[Angus McLaurel]

Stan and Ollie are in a boarding house, It is snowing outside, but they are tucked up nice and comfortable in bed. Their pet dog, `Laughing Gravy` is also nice and cosy, although the dog shouldn`t be there. Landlord Charlie Hall discovers the dog and throws it out into the street and threatens to evict Stan & Ollie if he finds it there again.


Not a bad simple film this, Some good sight gags including one where Stan pours soem water from a jug into a glass, then drinks from the jug, and the one where he rescues Laughing Gravy, forgets all about Ollie, who is locked out in the freezing snow, and starts cuddling the dog.

Charlie Hall should be reported the RSPCA though. How anyone could be that cruel to a dog, especially on a cold night like that, the swine!

You even feel the coldness as you watch Ollie land straight in the barrel of freezing water.

The editing lets the film down. Their bed collapses twice, without once being fixed, and Charlie Hall, after hearing of the quarantine goes into the other room and shoots himself, twice. (must've only blown his foot off the first time!) Pleasant, but not brilliant 6/10

I also watched the three reel version of this film, which has an interesting alternative ending. The film is the same until the point where Charlie Hall gives them 15 minutes to leave. Instead of the cut to the front door sequence, Charlie Hall hands Stan a note stating that he will inherit his late uncle`s fortune if he has nothing more to do with Ollie.

Stan thinks about the proposal and refuses to let Ollie see the note. After a bit of tactical persuasion and a guilt trip from Ollie, Stan eventually shows Ollie the note. He reads it and decides to let Stan leave without him. Stan bids Ollie farewell and takes Laughing Gravy and is about to set off, when Ollie pleads to keep the dog as he has nothing more left.

Stan, emotionally hands over the dog, then thinks for a moment. He rips up the cheque from his uncle and turns to Ollie, who thinks Stan has given in to him.