As a comedy short, THE MUSIC BOX is the one Laurel & Hardy short feature that all fans of the comedians should see. Together, they milk every laugh possible out of a wacky situation--delivering a piano to a house on a hill that requires lugging "the music box" up what appears to be at least seventy or more outdoor steps.
The boys get able assistance from a few other supporting players, notably BILLY GILBERT (the man with the famous sneeze who voiced "Sneezy" in 'Snow White'). Gilbert manages to steal a couple of scenes with his irate act, until his wife admits that she did order the piano as a surprise for his birthday.
With the two of them huffing and puffing their way up the stairs, letting the crated piano slide down several times, falling into a pond, demolishing the house once they get inside, and going through a series of sight gags, it's no wonder Oliver Hardy has time to give us one of his most famous lines: "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into", at a point when the physical comedy is at a peak moment.
For Laurel and Hardy fans, it's the stuff dreams are made of.
The boys get able assistance from a few other supporting players, notably BILLY GILBERT (the man with the famous sneeze who voiced "Sneezy" in 'Snow White'). Gilbert manages to steal a couple of scenes with his irate act, until his wife admits that she did order the piano as a surprise for his birthday.
With the two of them huffing and puffing their way up the stairs, letting the crated piano slide down several times, falling into a pond, demolishing the house once they get inside, and going through a series of sight gags, it's no wonder Oliver Hardy has time to give us one of his most famous lines: "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into", at a point when the physical comedy is at a peak moment.
For Laurel and Hardy fans, it's the stuff dreams are made of.