The Music Box

1932
PG
29m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in The Music Box (1932)

Buddy Comedy High-Concept Comedy Slapstick Comedy Family Short

Like the legendary Sisyphus, deliverymen Laurel and Hardy struggle to push a large crated piano up a seemingly insurmountable flight of stairs.Like the legendary Sisyphus, deliverymen Laurel and Hardy struggle to push a large crated piano up a seemingly insurmountable flight of stairs.Like the legendary Sisyphus, deliverymen Laurel and Hardy struggle to push a large crated piano up a seemingly insurmountable flight of stairs.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

8.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins total

Photos57

+ 51

Top cast9

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Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel

Oliver Hardy

Ollie Hardy

Dinah

Susie
(uncredited)

Billy Gilbert

Professor von Schwarzenhoffen
(uncredited)

William Gillespie

Piano Salesman
(uncredited)

Charlie Hall

Postman
(uncredited)

Hazel Howell

Mrs. von Schwarzenhoffen
(uncredited)

Lilyan Irene

Nursemaid
(uncredited)

Sam Lufkin

Policeman
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The monumental staircase in the film still exists; it is in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, between 923 and 935 Vendome Street. There are 131 steps.

Goofs
When Oliver Hardy starts walking down the steps to see the policeman and the piano crate starts sliding down the steps after him, the shadows of the camera and crew can be seen on the side of the crate as it passes by them.

Quotes
Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen: [the piano is blocking his path. Prof. Von Schwarzenhoffen taps his cane on the piano to attract Laurel and Hardy's attention.] Well? Either of you two numbskulls going to take this thing out of the way?
Ollie: What's it to you?
Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen: I should like to pass.
Ollie: Why don't you walk around?
Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen: Walk around? Me? Professor Theodore Von Schwarzenhoffen? M.D., A.D, D.D.S, F.L.D, F.F.F und F, should walk around? Get that thing out of my way! Get out of my way! Come on, get it out of the way! Out of the way!
[Stan slaps his hat off, causing it to fly into the street and be flattened by a truck. Stan and Ollie simultaneously nods at Schwarzenhoffen afterwards.]
Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen: Very lovely... I'LL HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR THIS! I'LL HAVE YOU THROWN IN JAIL! I'M PROFESSOR T.D.A!

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy decided to re-organize and re-supervise their entire financial structure -

So they took the $ 3.80 and went into business -

Alternate versions
When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'U' rating. All cuts were waived in 1989 when the film was granted a 'U' certificate for home video.

Connections
Edited into Dick und Doof: Der zermürbende Klaviertransport (1970)

Soundtracks
(I Wish I Was in) Dixie's Land
(uncredited)
Written by Daniel Decatur Emmett
Performed by Marvin Hatley

User reviews90

Review

Featured review

8/10

typically funny short from Laurel and Hardy

Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy, a piano and a house right at the top of a flight of steps. Sounds like a recipe for success, and it is.

'The Music Box' sees our dysfunctional heroes as delivery men who have to take a large, heavy piano to the house of the von Schwarzenhoffens (the mad professor and the twittery wife, typically staple characters of comedy shorts). First they have to get it to the house (up a lot of steps!), then they have to get it inside, installed, and working.

A small supporting cast of tiny cameo roles includes Lilyan Irene as a giggly nursemaid, Billy Gilbert as the blustering Professor, and Charlie Hall as the smart Alec postie. The delight of 'The Music Box' is watching Laurel and Hardy themselves, consummate comedy performers, with their slapstick and their engaging personalities.