User Reviews

L & H are on the run from the law. They are so broke they spent the night sleeping on a park bench. A nearby was not impressed with Stan after he addresses him as 'Ma'am'. They take refuge from the chase in the basement of Colonel Wilburforce Buckshot, who has just left to go on vacation to South Africa.

While hiding they pretend to be the owner and maid (Stan in his guise as Agnes) of the house when a new married couple (Lord Plumtree and his gorgeous wife) come around to rent the place. Obviously the usual hijinks and misunderstandings follow but the comic timing and Stan's indulgence in his Agnes disguise make it a half-hour laugh riot.

Having just watched Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy work in a mansion in the silent short From Soup to Nuts, here they are again at another such place in the talkie short Another Fine Mess. This time, they're on the run from the police for sleeping on park benches and they end up in the cellar of the residence of one Colonel Buckshot (James Finlayson) who's leaving on vacation. When they find out that the butler and maid are also taking time off, and with a cop still on the lookout for them, Stan poses as both butler and maid and Ollie poses as the Colonel as a young society couple arrives to rent the place. The lady of that couple is played by Thelma Todd who'd appear in quite a few of the L & H shorts and eventually star in her own Hal Roach series with first Zasu Pitts and then Patsy Kelly. She's quite charming when she converses with Stan's portrayal of maid "Agnes"! Hardy as Buckshot also gets his charms when playing him when conversing with the man of the renting couple who has quite a funny laugh which gets quite a workout here, that's for sure! As for Finlayson, well, he only has the beginning and near the end scenes to appear but he does what he can in those scenes and make them count! All in all, Another Fine Mess was quite a funny L & H short. P. S. The twin ladies who recite the credits at the beginning are Beverly and Betty Mae Crane who served the same function during this period on all Hal Roach shorts like the Our Gang entries Teacher's Pet, School's Out, and Love Business which I've also reviewed on this site. So as we leave Stan & Ollie behind, we next will visit Bud Abbott & Lou Costello when they also come In Society.

This is an enjoyable remake of the silent feature "Duck Soup", which had played such an important role in establishing Laurel and Hardy as the great comic duo that is now so well- known. This feature follows the same story setup, and expands it slightly while adding in a number of new gags that would not have worked as well on the silent screen.

Once again, Stan and Ollie find themselves forced to impersonate an absent homeowner and his servants, while hosting a prospective renter. The main story is also framed by a brief opening sequence and an interesting, nearly surreal finale. In the main part of the movie, they get a lot of mileage out of the basic situation, and Laurel plays his multiple role in an amusing fashion. James Finlayson gets a couple of good moments near the end, although he does not get as much to do as he did in some of their earlier features.

It packs a lot of material into a little under thirty minutes of running time, and there are a handful of moments when you can just tell that it was an early sound-era movie. But, as this example shows, Laurel and Hardy had little difficulty in successfully adapting their style to the new era.

From the moment this movie begins we know we're in for something a tad unusual. In the early talkie days the folks at the Hal Roach Studio experimented with a new format for delivering opening credits: instead of simply filming title cards in traditional fashion, they built a spiffy Art Deco stage set, complete with proscenium arch, and hired a pair of young girls called the Crane Twins to march out onto the stage to deliver the film's credits verbally. The girls, who are dressed as bellboys, speak in unison at first, then alternate, then bow in tandem as they conclude. The effect is quite odd and (inadvertently?) funny, and kicks off Another Fine Mess on a curious note. The twins introduced several concurrently produced comedies featuring Charley Chase, Our Gang and the 'Boy Friends,' but this marks their only appearance in a Laurel & Hardy movie. I find the girls rather endearing myself, but in any case Roach's experiment with spoken credits didn't last long.

Enter Laurel & Hardy chased by a cop, and we're back on familiar terrain. And yet things aren't quite so familiar after all, for it soon becomes apparent that this film has a different feel from the average L&H comedy. There's an actual plot, comparatively little slapstick, and an unusual amount of verbal humor. It's no surprise to learn that Another Fine Mess was based on a stage sketch, because once the boys seek refuge in the house where most of the action takes place, it does indeed feel like a stage act is underway, as they engage in an extended routine involving disguise and mistaken identity, with some farcical elements included for good measure. Ordinarily Laurel & Hardy didn't place much emphasis on dialog humor as such, but here they do, and happily the material is pretty funny. (Interestingly, the sketch that served as this film's source material was written by Stan Laurel's father, who was a theatrical manager and playwright, though it was said that the old gent did not approve of this adaptation.) In any other L&H short the guys would've spent five or ten minutes trying and failing to enter the house, but this time they've got a rendezvous with The Plot and not so much time for physical shtick.

As it happens, the guys have taken refuge in the home of Colonel Buckshot, who has supposedly departed for Africa. His servants, who were entrusted to rent the place out, have also left for a weekend vacation. Complications ensue with the arrival of a honeymooning couple, Lord and Lady Plumtree, who are interested in renting the place. Even bigger complications are set in motion by Ollie's decision to open the door to the couple in order to get rid of them, which forces Stan to impersonate the butler, which in turn forces Ollie to impersonate Colonel Buckshot, which in turn forces Stan to impersonate Agnes the maid. That's what I love about this movie, that decisive moment that starts the ball rolling. All the guys had to do was ignore the doorbell and wait for the couple to leave, but then they wouldn't be Laurel & Hardy, and we wouldn't have this fine mess to enjoy.

It's amusing to watch Ollie brazenly attempt to assume the role of the wealthy Colonel Buckshot, behaving the way Ollie believes such people behave, and he's well matched by Stan's quick-change impersonations of Hives the butler and Agnes the maid. I especially enjoy the scene between Agnes and Lady Plumtree. We have to assume that Thelma Todd's barely suppressed laughter throughout the scene is genuine; I mean, playing opposite Stan in drag, listening to him ramble on and giggle nervously, who wouldn't crack up? While it's true that the musical score and sound effects used in Another Fine Mess are somewhat more emphatic than the typical Roach comedy of the period, as an earlier reviewer pointed out, I feel this gives the film an agreeably wacky, "cartoon-y" feel suitable to the situation. I love the moment when the real Colonel (Jimmy Finlayson, underplaying as usual) returns home and tries to grasp what has happened. His furious response prompts the silliest wrap-up ever contrived for a L&H short. It's a laugh-out-loud ending -- it was for me, anyway -- and it ensures this movie's status as a treat for comedy connoisseurs.

This isn't classic Laurel & Hardy by anyone's standards, but it's made watchable by the comedy talents of the duo and a couple of inspired moments. The boys play a pair of bums who stumble into the unoccupied house of a local millionaire when avoiding arrest by the police and then pose as owner and butler/maid when prospective tenants of the property come calling. The comedy here is a little too one-note once Lord Plumtree and his foxy new wife arrive, spending too much time focusing on Stan's switching between the characters of Hives the butler and Agnes the maid (Agnes, incidentally, would resurface in A Chump in Oxford). There is a laugh-out-loud moment when the boys become tangled up with a quartet of rattling window blinds as they try to evade capture by the police though, and a truly surreal finale which sees them inexplicably disguised as a pantomime cow (?) riding a bicycle to freedom. The film is also noticeable for coining the phrase 'Another fine mess,' which would incorrectly be attributed to Hardy by impressionists forever more. As all Laurel & Hardy aficionados know, what Ollie would testily exclaim to the tearful Stan was 'that's another NICE mess you've gotten me into'.

Laurel and Hardy are simply hilarious! They incorporate slapstick and basic comedy to a pleasant pinnacle of perfect acting performances!! The talent of slapstick, which relies on a lot of physical humor,is misconstrued by the movie audience as just being silly! Hence, it is not given it's just deference. The movie "Another Fine Mess" pokes flagrant holes in the day to day petulant actions of the well to do!! Laurel and Hardy's chicanery and wild antics are once again, totally unintentional in this film, that is what makes them so funny!! The early days of movie making almost seem incomplete without Laurel and Hardy!! I found their movies and skits to have a totally innocuous reliability to them!! Such theatrics of whimsical mannerisms reflect the innocent days of yesteryear!! In evaluating these Laurel and Hardy movies, there is such a dark side to so many people who star in them!! Such disconcerting callousness is put in a flippant perspective, and should be taken with a jaundice eye!! I could watch Laurel and Hardy reruns over and over again, they definitely fall into the category of timeless entertainment!! "Another Fine Mess" is one of Laurel and Hardy's better efforts, and I recommend to anyone who is just in a mood to be amused, that they watch this movie.... THUMBS UP!!!!

Circumstances of poverty force Laurel and Hardy to take refuge from the police in James Finlayson's mansion. But it might be a stroke of luck as Finlayson is about to depart for Africa to shoot big game. He gives instructions to the butler and maid to rent the place for six months, but they leave themselves on a short getaway.

Which gives Ollie the idea to masquerade as Finlayson and rent the place himself. Stan masquerades as the butler.

But when the boys meet with Charles Gerrard and his lovely bride Thelma Todd who knows a maid comes with the package, Stan has to get into drag and quick change drag at that to be both butler and maid. That provides for a series of incredibly funny situations.

Of course it's all a big bust for Stan and Ollie, but you have to see one of their funniest short subjects to see how it all goes bad.

Colone Wilberforce Buckshot is off to hunt in South Africa, he chooses to rent out his palatial home, Stan and Ollie accidentally end up posing as The staff, showing the potential renters around.

In just a few years time, this film will celebrate its centenary, and I'm sure when that event comes around that it'll be as loved then as it has been since it first appeared.

It is seriously funny, it's a riot from start to finish, laugh out loud moments from start to finish, Agnes The Maid, no words for how funny those scenes are.

Lord Leopold's laugh was hilarious, such a great character.

What has always struck me about this one, aside from the riotous laughs, is just how good both Stan and Ollie were, so much more than just funny men, terrific actors, so much better than most of their contemporaries at the time.

Madcap good fun.

9/10.

I noticed that in general, all Laurel and Hardy films get very high ratings--even some really bad ones (such as their films for FOX in the 1940s). While I do love their films, I am not so gung-ho that I want to pretend EVERYTHING they did was great--some films were bad and some were only okay. This film definitely falls into the okay category with overly familiar situations and humor that just doesn't make you laugh. Seeing Stan dressed in drag wasn't too funny and nothing really stood out in this movie to make it anything other than just a time-passer. Instead of watching this one, try to find one of their better shorts such as BIG BUSINESS, THE MUSIC BOX or THE PERFECT DAY.

FYI--This videotape was from Hallmark/Artisan and was Colorized. As always, Colorized films look like crap and detract from the overall experience unless you have a fetish for ugly pastels. Try to find a non-colorized version if at all possible.

Seeing Stan Laurel as Agnes the maid in this film is absolutely fantastic. I especially love his girlie chat with Mrs Plumtree on the sofa. This particular scene of the film illustrates Stan's adaptability to talkie films, and to situation comedy, where there is less of the usual slapstick.

I guess the use of more dialogue over slapstick in Another Fine Mess is due to the fact that it was thought that such comedy genre would be less funny, and therefore irrelevant to talkie films. Seeing Stan and Ollie with more dialogue to perform takes allot of getting used to. However, I think the duo pulled it off in this film Very good viewing!

...but the previous 25 are only mildly amusing by comparison. So this is a tough one to rate.

Plot In a Nutshell: Two drifters (Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy) avoid a determined beat cop by taking refuge in an empty mansion, where they assume the identities of the owner and servants.

Why I rated it a '7': as mentioned, the film really picks up steam as it comes to a conclusion, and it includes a scene where Stan and Ollie are bicycling down a street while disguised as an African wildebeest. I can't help but compare this to the ending of the original "Pink Panther" with David Niven and Robert Wagner driving around Paris in gorilla costumes. You have to think Blake Edwards drew some inspiration from Laurel and Hardy here!

There are some laughs sprinkled throughout the 30 minute film but it is not non-stop hilarity until the last few minutes. No one remembering Lord Plumtree's name and Stan's comment about needing a nursery room "in case of an accident" were highlights, but Lord Plumtree's strange laugh was annoying and is an example of one bit that didn't work.

Overall, an enjoyable 30 minutes. Not their best and not their worst. B+.

7/10. Would I watch again (Y/N)?: Yes

After a weird reading of the credits, the boys find themselves in a mansion where the staff has disappeared. The millionaire, Colonel Buckshot, is off on a Safari. In order to avoid the police, who are after them, Stan and Ollie must impersonate the absent Buckshot and the maid, Agnes, and Hives, the butler. Their interactions are priceless and the story is well scripted. Everything rolls along fine until Buckshot returns. The byplay between our two buddies is priceless. The inimitable Jimmy Finlayson is Buckshot and his quick responses to the craziness in the house are great. But Stan and Ollie really steal the show. Oliver, with his improvised take on a millionaire, and Stanley, once again in drag, stealing every scene. One of the best of the best.

I don't really understand why this movie is rated so highly, especially when compared to other far more superior Laurel & Hardy shorts.

Real problem with this movie is that it only relies on one comical premise. The jokes and humor are because of that restrained and too often too much of the same. The movie is lacking in some true laughs and comical/slapstick moments, even though of course the movie still perfectly entertains.

The story is simple and a remake of the far superior comedy short "Duck Soup". Of course Laurel & Hardy movies always have a simple story, as they should in my opinion but in this case some more creativity wouldn't had been a bad idea.

Not even James Finlayson in a small role can make the story feel lively and creative. Basically the most amusing character of the movie is being played by Charles K. Gerrard. Never a good sign when the most amusing character in a Laurel & Hardy movie is being played by a supporting actor. Sure, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are amusing in their roles and they provide the movie with some good moments but it all was a bit too simple for my taste and really lacked in true comical creativity.

Certainly not a bad movie and still worth seeing and entertaining enough but nevertheless the movie isn't as good or funny as the rating here at the moment (7.4) would suggest.

6/10

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A LAUREL & HARDY Comedy Short.

On the run from the police, Stan & Ollie hide in a deserted mansion. But when an English nobleman appears, wanting to rent the place & meet the owner and servants, the Boys find themselves in ANOTHER FINE MESS.

A funny early talkie. Highlight: Stan's hilarious impersonation of Agnes the Maid. That's James Finlayson as Colonel Buckshot, Charles K. Gerard & Thelma Todd as Lord and Lady Plumtree.

Laurel and Hardy are chased into Jimmy Finlayson's deserted mansion by the cops. When some Upper Class Twits come by to rent the joint, Oliver pretends to be master of the house, and Stanley makes out he is the butler.... and the maid.

It's based on a skit by Laurel's father, Arthur Jefferson, and is straight music hall farce and very funny. A lot of that is undoubtedly due to the comedic charms of the Boys, although having Thelma Todd on board doesn't hurt.

This is actually a remake. Laurel & Hardy had appeared in a silent version called DUCK SOUP a couple of years earlier.

Not particularly funny Laurel and Hardy short, though it does have its moments. Seeing a curtain rail getting the better of the pair is amusing, and Stan headbutting a wall proves that the duo's timing was far greater than any of the plots.

The plot in question revolves around Stan and Ollie pretending to be a rich houseowner and his butler. This isn't as humorous as it might sound due to the leads not affecting greatly different characteristics (as Stan would in A Chump at Oxford) than their previously established personas. Even Stan's recreation as "Agnes" doesn't allow him to take on a different accent.

James Finlayson is wasted in a minor role and weirdly; the title again perpetuates the myth of Ollie's catchphrase, though here again he says "another nice mess" not the "fine" of the film's name. However, seeing the picture open with two twin girls dressed as bellboys, cringingly reading out the credits in stereo should give warning to what is one of the more glib, less inspired L & H vehicles. The final pay-off goes too far out to be "zany" and just ends up as somewhat silly and unreliant on any form of logic to be funny. Disappointing.