Watch Stan Laurel Shorts Collection

The Stan Laurel Shorts Collection is a delightful movie that is perfect for anyone who loves slapstick humor, clever wordplay, and endearing characters. Featuring the comic genius of Stan Laurel, this collection is a must-see for any fan of classic comedy. The collection includes a selection of Laurel's short films from the 1920s and 1930s, during his golden age of comedy. The films are presented in their original black and white, giving viewers a glimpse into the early days of movie making. Each film is a gem in its own right, showcasing Laurel's impeccable comic timing, physical humor, and wide range of facial expressions.

One of the standout shorts in the collection is "Big Business" (1929), which stars both Laurel and his longtime collaborator Oliver Hardy. The film follows the misadventures of Laurel and Hardy as door-to-door Christmas tree salesmen who run afoul of a homeowner with a bad temper. The resulting shenanigans include exploding trees, a torn-apart house, and a hilariously inept attempt to fix a damaged car.

Another must-see is "The Music Box" (1932), which won Laurel and Hardy an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. In the film, Laurel and Hardy are hired to deliver a piano to a house at the top of a steep hill. The resulting journey is a masterpiece of physical comedy, as the duo attempts to push the piano up the hill, dodge an angry resident, and navigate a set of stairs that seems to go on forever.

Other highlights of the collection include "Hog Wild" (1930), in which Laurel attempts to install a radio antenna on a rooftop and ends up causing chaos for his downstairs neighbors, and "The Battle of the Century" (1927), in which Laurel participates in a giant pie fight that is truly epic in scale.

One of the things that sets Laurel's films apart from other comedies of the time is his ability to balance physical humor with witty dialogue. In "Two Tars" (1928), Laurel and Hardy play sailors who get into a fender-bender and end up causing a massive traffic jam. Despite the chaos unfolding around them, Laurel's character manages to deliver lines like "It's a fine mess you got us into" with deadpan precision.

Throughout the collection, viewers are treated to Laurel's trademark persona of the bumbling, hapless everyman. Whether he is trying to impress a girl (as in "Angora Love" from 1929) or simply trying to get from point A to point B (as in "Wrong Again" from 1929), Laurel's character is always endearing in his innocence and determination.

The collection also showcases Laurel's impressive range as a performer. In "The Chimp" (1932), Laurel plays a character who is completely out of his depth as a circus trainer, while in "Should Married Men Go Home?" (1928), he portrays a jaded husband who is tired of his wife's constant nagging.

Overall, the Stan Laurel Shorts Collection is a wonderful tribute to one of the greatest comedians of all time. From the hilarious physical stunts to the witty banter between characters, these films are a testament to Laurel's enduring legacy as a master of the genre. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to classic comedy, this collection is sure to leave you chuckling and grinning from ear to ear.