''Leave 'Em Laughing'' is a 1928 two-reel

silent film A silent film is a film without synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

starring

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel ( ; born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, director and writer who was in the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 sh ...

and

Oliver Hardy Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his ...

. Produced by the

Hal Roach Studios Hal Roach Studios was an American motion picture and, through its TV production subsidiary, Hal Roach Television Corporation, television production studio. Known as ''The Laugh Factory to the World'', it was founded by producer Hal Roach and busin ...

, it was shot in October 1927 and released January 28, 1928 by

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

Plot

Stan cannot sleep owing to a painful toothache. Ollie, attempting to aid Stan, retrieves a hot-water bottle from the bathroom but repeatedly steps on a tack strewn across the floor. Subsequently, a mishap occurs as the water bottle lid loosens, resulting in water spilling onto the bed. This disturbance prompts their landlord to intervene, issuing an ultimatum for their eviction the following morning. A physical altercation ensues between the duo and the landlord, culminating in the latter's apparent fall down the stairs. The subsequent day finds Stan seeking dental treatment for his toothache. However, his fear impedes his cooperation during the procedure. In a turn of events, Ollie inadvertently becomes the recipient of the dental procedure intended for Stan. Upon Ollie's unwitting extraction, the dentist mistakenly administers

nitrous oxide Nitrous oxide (dinitrogen oxide or dinitrogen monoxide), commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous, or factitious air, among others, is a chemical compound, an Nitrogen oxide, oxide of nitrogen with the Chemical formula, formula . At room te ...

gas to Stan, rendering them both unconscious. The effects of the gas extend to the dental staff as well. Upon regaining consciousness, Stan and Ollie exit the dental office, still under the influence of the gas, resulting in uncontrollable laughter. This sets the stage for a chaotic sequence involving their impaired driving, leading to a series of mishaps at a bustling intersection. Their encounters include a confrontation with a traffic police officer, resulting in a scuffle, and a misguided attempt by the officer to transport them to jail, culminating in the immersion of their vehicle into an open sewer.

Cast

as Stan *

as Ollie * Charlie Hall as Landlord *

Edgar Kennedy Edgar Livingston Kennedy (April 26, 1890 – November 9, 1948) was an American comedic character actor who appeared in at least 500 films during the silent and sound eras. Professionally, he was known as "Slow Burn", owing to his ability to por ...

as Cop * Dorothy Coburn, Viola Richard as Nurses * Edgar Dearing, Al Hallett,

Sam Lufkin Samuel William Lufkin (May 8, 1891 – February 19, 1952) was an American actor. He was known for appearing in small or bit roles in short comedy films. Career Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made ...

, Tiny Sandford as Dental patients * Otto Fries as Burly Dentist * Jack Lloyd as Dentist *

Jack Hill Jack Hill (born January 28, 1933) is an American filmmaker, known for his work in the exploitation genre. He was an early associate of Francis Ford Coppola and Roger Corman, and worked on many films distributed by American International Pictur ...

as Irate Motorist

Production notes

''Leave 'Em Laughing'' marks the first appearance of

in a Laurel and Hardy film. Chapters of The Sons of the Desert (the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society) take their names from the duo's films. ''Leave 'Em Laughing'' chapters are currently located in

Bridgeport, Connecticut Bridgeport is the List of municipalities in Connecticut, most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut and the List of cities in New England by population, fifth-most populous city in New England, with a population of 148,654 in 2020. Loc ...

, the

Twin Cities, Minnesota Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...

and

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

. ''Leave 'Em Laughing'' was remade by

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

as '' I Can Hardly Wait'' (1943). The scene where Laurel and Hardy leave the dentist's office was filmed on the Main Street side of The Culver Hotel at 9400 Culver Blvd in Culver City, California.

References

External links

* * * 1928 films 1928 comedy films 1928 short films 1920s American films 1920s English-language films American black-and-white films English-language comedy short films Films about landlords Films directed by Clyde Bruckman Laurel and Hardy (film series) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short films Silent American comedy short films Surviving American silent films {{short-silent-comedy-film-stub