LAUGHING GRAVY

For over fifty years, American prints of this film existed only in two-reel form, though rumors abounded that an alternate ending, and an additional reel of footage, had been shot. In the mid-1980's, an English print was discovered of the long-lost third reel. The alternate ending has the boys packing to leave their apartment, just as Stan receives a telegram which states that he is to receive a huge inheritance from a deceased uncle -- providing he sever all ties with Ollie, whom his uncle felt was responsible for Stan's deplorable condition. Ollie is outraged that Stan won't share the contents of the telegram with him, but is humble and understanding when he does read it. Stan decides to stay, mostly so he won't have to leave Laughing Gravy behind. Most newer prints of the film contain the missing reel, not to mention two consecutive endings.

JB: This is one of those L&H films that has no plot. It's just Stan, Ollie, a dog and a landlord. It may not be one of their funniest (Angora Love, which this is a remake of, is funnier), but that little dog, and the Boys' concern for it, make Laughing Gravy one of their warmest (despite all the snow), most endearing films.       The "lost footage", where Stan gets a letter telling him about an inheritance he will get if he "severs all ties with Oliver Hardy", is pretty jarring (especially since the music in this short is one of its strong points, and in the "lost" scene the music drops out completely). Still, I'd rather have this scene in than not, and I added my own soundtrack to my personal copy, using recordings from The Beau Hunks *, and it changes the whole feeling of the scene.       The debate on whether this scene should be in Laughing Gravy is an interesting one. Laughing Gravy flows better without it, but the scene itself is played so well, and is such a consious (perhaps overly conscious) attempt at exploring the Boys' relationship that I'm glad it's there.  *See my essay "Steppin' Along With a Song" for more on the Beau Hunks. - JB.