The Laurel & Hardy Films:The Music Box

The Laurel & Hardy Films: The Music Box (1932)

SCENARIO: Our Boys have set out on a new venture as horse-drawn Expressmen their first contract being to deliver a piano to 1127 Walnut Ave. The house not being readily visible from the street they ask a passing Postman for directions and he, pointing skyward, suggests the inevitable climb that awaits them. Released on April 16, 1932, The Music Box was granted an Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Subject for 1931-32 a long overdue and richly deserved credit for the team.

**Mrs. Theodore Von Schwarzenhoffen (Gladys Gale)** shops for a player-piano as a surprise birthday gift for her husband. Note the marquee across the street of STAR OUTFITTERS which at the time was at 919 N.Broadway in Los Angeles (courtesy
The Vitalsearch Company).

**The boys began the ascent with their payload.**

-

**The Policeman issues swift justice with a baton poke to Olivers tummy and a knock on the nogen for Stan**

**Being kicked in the rear by Stan for her sassy remarks, a Nurse (Lilyan Irene) complains to the Policeman on the beat (Sam Lufkin) that she was molested 'right in the middle of her daily duties'.**

-

Half way into their climb the boys have a chance encounter with the honoree, Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen (Billy Gilbert), MD,AD,LLD,DDS,FFF (and of course F) and filled with self-importance today refuses to walk around at their request.

In frustration, Stan knocks the Professors hat headlong down the stairs just in time for a city water truck to moisten and flatten it neatly. The outraged Professor, mumbling his credentials, resumes his descent.

-

Success at last but a Postman (Charlie Hall) informs the boys that they could have driven around.!! So what would two intelligent, rational, curriers do . . return the piano to its starting place, load it back up and drive it around as suggested.

**Oliver's attempt to control a run-away piano lands both of them at ground zero again as Stan looks on from above.**

-

**Inadvertently switched hats is always a possibility under such difficult circumstances.**

**Now securely inside, the box is opened to reveal its contents. . a piano and a lot of water.**

-

**Returning home, a wildly angry Professor vents his frustrations with a fire ax as the boys look on in shock.**

**With a quick flip of the ON switch, the piano launches into a jazzy rendition of 'Turkey in the Staw'(courtesy of Marvin Hatley playing off-camera) and the boys respond accordingly.**

-

**The mortally wounded piano lapses into a somber rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' inspiring all present to stop and remember their Flag.**

**The exhausted Professor (after a full hour of piano bashing) consoles his sobbing wife and insists that really, 'I'm just NUTS about pianos'.**

-

Peace at last, the apologetic Professor asks forgiveness to which Oliver responds with a simple request for a signature on a delivery form. But as luck would have it the pen promptly explodes suggesting to the boys that it may be wise to make a speedy exit.

**. . as the contrite Stan and the annoyed Oliver look on.**

More Information on The Music Box:
Then & Now Pictures:The 'Music Box' Steps
Movie Information from the IMDb
Purchase The Music Box in PAL(European) Format (any purchase helps our efforts)

Become a Platinum Contributor:

For a contribution supporting our work we will send you a DVD of this film and others. Click HERE for details.

Did You Enjoy This Page?
Help us keep these databases free
by making a small contribution.

We would love you to e-mail us with your opinion of this page.

To Laurel & Hardy Now Playing Schedule - - - - Help - - - - Privacy Statement - - - - Disclaimer