The Music Box is a Laurel and Hardy short film comedy released in 1932. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, which depicts the pair attempting to move a piano up a long flight of steps, won the first Academy Award for Best Live Action Short (Comedy) in 1932. In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The film is widely seen as the most iconic Laurel and Hardy short, with the featured stairs becoming a popular tourist attraction.
Charles Joseph Parrott, known professionally as Charley Chase, was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director. He worked for many pioneering comedy studios but is chiefly associated with producer Hal Roach. Chase was the elder brother of comedian/director James Parrott.
William Gilbert Barron, known professionally as Billy Gilbert, was an American actor and comedian. He was known for his comic sneeze routines. He appeared in over 200 feature films, short subjects and television shows beginning in 1929.
Edgar Livingston Kennedy 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 portray characters whose anger slowly rose in frustrating situations.
James Henderson Finlayson was a Scottish actor who worked in both silent and sound comedies. Balding, with a fake moustache, he had many trademark comic mannerisms—including his squinting, outraged double-take reactions, and his characteristic exclamation: "D'ooooooh!" He is the best remembered comic foil of Laurel and Hardy.
A Ticket to Tomahawk is a 1950 American Western film directed by Richard Sale and starring Dan Dailey and Anne Baxter. It was released by 20th Century Fox. Marilyn Monroe appeared in one of her earliest roles.
Noah Young, Jr. was a champion weightlifter and actor.
Hank Mann was a Russian Empire-born and American comedian and silent screen star who was a member of the Keystone Cops, and appeared as a supporting player in many of Charlie Chaplin's films.
John Joseph Francis Mulhall was an American film actor beginning in the silent film era who successfully transitioned to sound films, appearing in over 430 films in a career spanning 50 years.
Alpha Video is an entertainment company founded in 1985 as New Age Video, based near Philadelphia, that specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of public domain movies and TV shows on DVD. Alpha Video releases approximately 30 new DVD titles monthly and has over 3,500 DVDs in their active catalog, including hundreds of rare films and TV shows from Hollywood's past.
Now I'll Tell One is a 1927 silent film starring Charley Chase. The film features Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, prior to their official billing as the duo Laurel and Hardy. Both comedians had bit parts and share no scenes together.
The Hobo is a 1917 American silent comedy film featuring Billy West and Oliver Hardy.
Isn't Life Terrible? is a 1925 American film starring Charley Chase and featuring Oliver Hardy and Fay Wray. This short is a parody on D. W. Griffith's 1924 drama Isn't Life Wonderful (1924). The staircase used in this film is the same outdoor staircase seen in Hats Off (1927) and The Music Box (1932). The staircase still exists in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
Long Fliv the King is a 1926 American silent comedy short film starring Charley Chase and featuring Oliver Hardy and Max Davidson in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1920 Harold Lloyd film His Royal Slyness about a young man who accidentally becomes the king of a tiny country.
Thundering Fleas is a 1926 Our Gang film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 51st Our Gang short subject to be released.
Bromo and Juliet is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Leo McCarey starring Charley Chase with an appearance by Oliver Hardy.
Be Your Age is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Leo McCarey starring Charley Chase and features Oliver Hardy in the cast.
Fluttering Hearts is a 1927 American silent romantic comedy film featuring Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy, and Eugene Pallette.
Now or Never is a 1921 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd and directed by Hal Roach and Fred C. Newmeyer.
Troubles of a Bride is a 1924 American silent comedy film directed by Tom Buckingham and written by John Stone and Tom Buckingham. The film stars Robert Agnew, Mildred June, Alan Hale Sr., Bruce Covington, Dolores Rousse, and Heinie Conklin. The film was released on November 30, 1924, by the Fox Film Corporation.
