Da Sopa à Sobremesa

From Soup to Nuts is an amusing two-reel comedy that many Laurel & Hardy fans regard with special fondness, thanks largely to the performance of Anita Garvin, a gifted comedienne who never received the recognition she deserved. Barely in her 20s when this film was made, Miss Garvin was given the plum assignment of playing the socially ambitious Mrs. Culpepper, "idol to the snobs," a classic New Money hostess -- in a tiara, no less -- who throws the sort of dinner party designed to show the world that the Culpeppers Have Arrived. The source of the recently-acquired Culpepper fortune is never revealed, but one look at Mr. Culpepper (6 ft. 5 in. "Tiny" Sandford) suggests that bootleg gin or perhaps concrete might be involved.

But where any number of other actresses might phone in a pompous Society Lady role such as this one, Anita Garvin shows us the insecurity under the pose, flashing quick nervous looks at her guests as if to say, "Am I doing this right? Or do they suspect I'm a fraud?" In a highly appropriate running gag, the lady's tiara keeps slipping down her forehead and falling over her eyes. Garvin is seen to best advantage during the extended, genuinely funny sequence in which she attempts to retrieve a stray cherry that rolls off her fruit cocktail and becomes stubbornly lodged under the rim of the sundae glass. At first, she tries to maintain proper decorum, but eventually becomes so involved in pursuing the wayward cherry that all pretense of refinement slips away. But any hope of dignity is a lost cause anyhow, since by that time hired butlers Laurel & Hardy have turned the party into a fiasco.

Stan and Ollie have an ideal comic premise to work with here: we know from the start that they're going to ruin this party, but, considering the host and hostess, what better party to ruin? A highlight comes when Stan misunderstands an order to serve the salad "undressed," and, reluctantly, strips down to his skivvies before bringing it in. (Today, this gag would be played without the skivvies, perhaps by Adam Sandler in a G-string; does that mean we're more sophisticated, or less?) Dishes are broken, soup is spilled, cakes are ruined, seams are split, and ultimately Mrs. Culpepper, "idol of the snobs," hauls off and belts Ollie, decorum be damned. In the end, I believe, her roots are showing.

An interesting footnote to this film: it was one of only two Laurel & Hardy comedies to be directed by "E. Livingston Kennedy," better known as Edgar, the boys' frequent nemesis in such films as Bacon Grabbers and Perfect Day. His venture into directing was brief, but the results are so felicitous (this was followed by You're Darn Tootin', a genuine L&H classic) that one wishes he could have worked behind the camera more often.

"Endearing" is what springs to mind on viewing this early Stan and Ollie entry. Sure the jokes are as hoary as hell these days, but they're funny anyway. 78 years old at the time of writing this may be, but the sight of Ollie buried in a giant cake for the umpteenth time is simply irresistible. Edgar Kennedy directed it, and threw a few unusual shots into the mixture. Stan does his "Salad Undressed" routine. And as for Anita Garvin? All I can say is that it was love at first sight! Delectable and funny, she almost steals the film from the boys. Upon viewing the chaos surrounding the dinner party it is certainly apparent why the keeping of servants was no longer so fashionable!

Social comment? No, merely the boys having fun.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were comedic geniuses, individually and together, and their partnership was deservedly iconic and one of the best there was. They left behind a large body of work, a vast majority of it being entertaining to classic comedy, at their best they were hilarious and their best efforts were great examples of how to do comedy without being juvenile or distasteful.

While not classic Laurel and Hardy, later films, short and feature, had stronger chemistry when fully formed and used their considerable talents better, 'From Soup to Nuts' is a lot of fun. Before, Laurel was much funnier and more interesting while Hardy in most of the previous outings had too little to do. 'From Soup to Nuts', along with 'Leave Em Laughing' and 'The Finishing Touch', is one of their first very good efforts, to me it's easily one of their best at this point of their careers and one of the first, along with the two mentioned above, to feel like a Laurel and Hardy short rather than a short featuring them.

'From Soup to Nuts' is slight and it affects the pace slightly of the early stages.

A few gags are a bit repetitive and old-fashioned, like slipping on bananas.

Laurel however is very funny, and sometimes hilarious. It is wonderful seeing Hardy having more to do and he is on Laurel's level and actually even funnier. The chemistry is certainly much more here than in previous outings of theirs, namely because there's more of them together and it was starting to feel like a partnership. Support is nice, particularly from Anita Garvin who actually steals the show.

Both Laurel and Hardy have great moments, Laurel's salad routine is classic and Hardy with the cake is fun too.

A good deal of the humour is well timed, hugely energetic and very funny if not always hilarious, with everything going at a lively pace and there is a lot of charm and good nature to keep one going. 'From Soup to Nuts' looks quite good still with some interesting shots.

In summary, a lot of fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This seems to be the earliest time that Stan Laurel & Ollver Hardy have had to encounter High Society as they are employed as waiters in a mansion in From Soup to Nuts. Because they hadn't been in this particular environment before, it's expected they wouldn't know how to behave in front of certain people. So, of course, disaster happens! There's also a young society lady played by Anita Garvin who keeps having trouble with a grape and her tiara, sometimes at the same time! Besides some of the food gags (as well as hat and plate ones), there's also Stan's taking some things literally which you'll get when you watch this as I just did on YouTube. So on that note, From Soup to Nuts is a fine L & H short directed by Edgar Kennedy, who's usually cast as their antagonist though not here. Next, I'll review Stan & Ollie's next encounter with the rich in Another Fine Mess.

From Soup to Nuts (1928)

*** (out of 4)

Laurel and Hardy are waiters to a rich party but havoc begins as they start to serve the food. This is a delightful short that doesn't have too much going for it other than the boys falling into the food but this here is quite funny especially Hardy and the cake.

Another Fine Mess (1930)

*** (out of 4)

Laurel and Hardy, being chased by the police, enter a mansion and assume the identity of the owner and maid. This is a very funny short with highlights including Laurel going from the butler to the maid in a matter of minute to the best moment at the end of the film in a horse outfit.