Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are the most famous comedy duo in history, and deservedly so, so I am happy to see any of their films. Stan and Ollie are selling Christmas trees door to door, and they are not having the best of luck, asking an unmarried woman, and someone not wanting peddlers with a hammer. It is when they get to the door of the male Homeowner (James Finlayson) that the laughs really commence. He says he is not interested, and the boys keep ringing the bell when the tree and Stan's coat keep getting caught in the door, until Finlayson loses patience and throws their tree away. They ask if he wants an answer for next door, and he cuts up their tree, and this sparks a hilarious battle of properties. We see house numbers pulled off, door hinges taken off, Finlayson's hair cut, a pocket watch broken, the door bell and phone line ripped, Ollie's shirt and tie cut up, Finlayson sprayed in the doorway by a hose, the boys' car destroyed piece by piece, and Finalyson house and plants vice versa. A crowd gathers and a policeman eventually comes over to break it up, and Stan's sobbing gets everyone else going too, and the boys apologise giving Finlayson a sorry cigar. The film ends with the policeman chasing the boys' after seeing them laugh, and Finalyson's cigar blows in his face. This is among Laurel and Hardy's greatest films, it features some of the funniest moments and all the wonderful slapstick and classic comedy you could want from a black and white film, and even with slightly off tune music it is an excellent silent film. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were number 7 on The Comedians' Comedian. Outstanding!
Review of Big Business
