Leave 'Em Laughing
Encyclopedia
Leave 'Em Laughing is a 1928 two-reel silent film
starring Stan Laurel
and Oliver Hardy
. Produced by the Hal Roach Studios, it was shot in October, 1927 and released January 28, 1928 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
.
It marks the first appearance of Edgar Kennedy
in a Laurel and Hardy film.
(Charlie Hall) comes in, telling them that they'll have to leave first thing in the morning. Stan gives him a hard punch in the face.
The next scene shows them in the dentist
's office, but Stan is too afraid to get his tooth pulled. The dentist leaves and Ollie demonstrates how Stan should sit and not be afraid. Meanwhile the dentist tells one of his partners that he should go to the guy who's sitting in the chair and pull his tooth out. He does this but to the wrong man, Ollie. When Stan is back in the chair he knocks over a gas cartridge which makes everyone laugh.
Stan and Ollie leave the office and go to their car, still laughing their heads off from the gas. They cause a lot of commotion on the road and annoy the traffic warden (Edgar Kennedy), who hasn't had the benefit of the "happy gas." The short ends with Kennedy, Stan and Ollie driving—and sinking—into a huge mud puddle.
, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films; Leave 'Em Laughing Tents are in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, Florida.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
starring Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
and Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
. Produced by the Hal Roach Studios, it was shot in October, 1927 and released January 28, 1928 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
.
It marks the first appearance of Edgar Kennedy
Edgar Kennedy
Edgar Livingston Kennedy was an American comedic film actor, known as "the king of the slow burn". A slow burn is an exasperated facial expression, performed very deliberately; Kennedy embellished this by rubbing his hand over his bald head and across his face, in an attempt to hold his temper...
in a Laurel and Hardy film.
Plot
The scene opens in Stan and Ollie's flat, at night time. Stan complains that he has a toothache. Ollie goes to the bathroom to get him a hot-water bottle and keeps stepping on a tack which is lying around. When Stan gets the water bottle, the lid opens and the water pours out in the bed. The two of them make a lot of noise and the landlordLandlord
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant . When a juristic person is in this position, the term landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner...
(Charlie Hall) comes in, telling them that they'll have to leave first thing in the morning. Stan gives him a hard punch in the face.
The next scene shows them in the dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
's office, but Stan is too afraid to get his tooth pulled. The dentist leaves and Ollie demonstrates how Stan should sit and not be afraid. Meanwhile the dentist tells one of his partners that he should go to the guy who's sitting in the chair and pull his tooth out. He does this but to the wrong man, Ollie. When Stan is back in the chair he knocks over a gas cartridge which makes everyone laugh.
Stan and Ollie leave the office and go to their car, still laughing their heads off from the gas. They cause a lot of commotion on the road and annoy the traffic warden (Edgar Kennedy), who hasn't had the benefit of the "happy gas." The short ends with Kennedy, Stan and Ollie driving—and sinking—into a huge mud puddle.
Cast
- Stan LaurelStan LaurelArthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
-- Stan - Oliver HardyOliver HardyOliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
-- Ollie - Charlie Hall -- The Landlord (uncredited)
- Edgar KennedyEdgar KennedyEdgar Livingston Kennedy was an American comedic film actor, known as "the king of the slow burn". A slow burn is an exasperated facial expression, performed very deliberately; Kennedy embellished this by rubbing his hand over his bald head and across his face, in an attempt to hold his temper...
-- Cop (uncredited) - Dorothy CoburnDorothy CoburnDorothy Coburn was a dark-haired actress, who appeared in a number of the early Laurel and Hardy silents. She was niece of author Walt Coburn, and granddaughter of Robert Coburn Sr., founder of the famous Circle C Ranch in Montana.Raised in Prescott, Arizona, Coburn was born to cowboy-poet and...
-- Dentist's Nurse (uncredited) - Viola RichardViola RichardViola Richard, , was an American actress who appeared in several silent short comedies at the Hal Roach Studios opposite Laurel and Hardy, Charley Chase and Max Davidson in the 1920s...
-- Dentist's Nurse (uncredited) - Edgar DearingEdgar DearingEdgar Dearing was an American actor who became heavily type cast as a motorcycle cop in Hollywood films. He started in silent comedy shorts for Hal Roach, including several with Laurel and Hardy, notably in their classic Two Tars, probably his best ever screen role...
-- Dental Patient (uncredited) - Al Hallett—Dental Patient (uncredited)
- Sam LufkinSam LufkinSamuel "Sam" William Lufkin was an American actor who usually appeared in small or bit roles in short comedy films.-Career:Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made over 60 films...
-- Dental Patient (uncredited) - Tiny SandfordTiny SandfordStanley J. "Tiny" Sandford was a tall, burly actor who is best remembered for his roles in Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin films. He was usually cast as a comic heavy, and often played policemen, doormen, prizefighters, or bullies.Sandford was born in Osage, Iowa. After working in stock...
-- Dental Patient (uncredited) - Otto FriesOtto FriesOtto Fries was an American film actor. He appeared in 129 films between 1920 and 1938.-Career:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Fries became a dapper-looking supporting comic with a varied background in medicine shows and vaudeville. He easily transitioned to film in the early 1910s...
-- Burly Dentist (uncredited) - Jack Lloyd—Dentist (uncredited)
- Jack HillJack Hill (actor)Jack Hill was an American actor, who appeared in scores of Laurel & Hardy comedies.-Filmography:* A Quiet Street * Stage Fright * Dogs of War * Back Stage...
-- Irate Motorist (uncredited)
The Sons of the Desert
Chapters — called Tents — of The Sons of the DesertThe Sons of the Desert
The Sons of the Desert is an international fraternal organization devoted to lives and films of comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The group takes its name from a lodge that Laurel and Hardy belonged to in the 1933 movie Sons of the Desert....
, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films; Leave 'Em Laughing Tents are in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, Florida.