''Oranges and Lemons'' is a 1923 American one-reel

silent comedy Silent comedy is a style of film, related to but distinct from mime, invented to bring comedy into the medium of film in the silent film era (1900s–1920s) before a synchronized soundtrack which could include talking was technologically ava ...

starring

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

. He plays an incompetent employee of a fruit orchard who only manages to keep his job because his fellow workers are even more inept, including the lovely packer (Grant) who flirts with him. As is typical of his films in this era, his character is far more aggressive and physical than the more familiar meek personality he adopted when he later teamed with

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 c ...

. The name "Sunkist" was taken from the long-established citrus fruit company

Sunkist Growers, Incorporated Sunkist Growers, Incorporated is an American citrus growers' non-stock membership cooperative composed of 6,000 members from California and Arizona. It is currently headquartered in Valencia, California. Through 31 offices in the United States a ...

Plot

Sunkist (Stan) wearing an under-sized

sombrero A sombrero (Spanish , ) is a type of wide-brimmed Mexican men's hat used to shield the face and eyes from the sun. It usually has a high pointed crown, an extra-wide brim (broad enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck and shoulders of the we ...

is operating a pointless machine, where his boss drops fruit into a hopper at one end, and the fruit is scooped up and dropped into a tin bath held by another employee. None of the fruit is going in so they swap roles and Stan gets the fruit dropping on his head. Stan goes off to collect on his own then a fat worker asks for help. A

step ladder A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used for climbing or descending. There are two types: rigid ladders that are self-supporting or that may be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rollable ladders, such a ...

with a rubber central sections adds to the hilarity. The boss chases Sunkist around and action moves inside the packing plant.

Cast

as Sunkist * Katherine Grant as Little Valencia *

Eddie Baker Eddie Baker (born Edward King; November 17, 1897 – February 4, 1968) was an American film actor. He supported Laurel and Hardy in several of their films, but is best remembered for his (uncredited) role as a boxing referee in Charlie Chaplin's ...

as Orange Blossom, the boss * George Rowe as Worker *

Sammy Brooks Sammy Brooks (July 10, 1891 – May 16, 1951) was an American film actor. He appeared in 218 films between 1916 and 1938. He was born in New York City and died in Los Angeles, California. Selected filmography * Luke, the Candy Cut-Up (19 ...

as Worker * Mark Jones as Worker * 'Tonnage' Martin Wolfkeil as Worker * James Finlayson as Worker

References

External links

* 1923 films 1923 comedy films 1923 short films American silent short films American black-and-white films Silent American comedy films American comedy short films Films directed by George Jeske 1920s American films {{short-silent-comedy-film-stub

Plot

Cast

See also

References

External links