Da Sopa à Sobremesa

Definitely not the best silent Laurel & Hardy comedy short but like all Laurel & Hardy movies; it's all very enjoyable to watch.

The premise of the movie is simple (like it should be in a Laurel & Hardy movie) and relies on the mishaps of the two boys as inexperienced and of course very clumsy waiters, at a fancy dinner party and of course things go from nuts to nuttier, as the movie progresses.

The movie does has its tiresome, usual stretched out comical moments but some original well placed and timed humor as well, that was later also 'reused' in multiple other Laurel & Hardy movies. It doesn't make this movie one of the most hilarious ones but definitely one of the most defining and typical Laurel & Hardy comedy shorts. The movie is directed by Edgar Kennedy, who as an actor also starred along side with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy together in multiple of their comedy films, before and after this movie.

In this case the movie definitely would had been a better one had it been a 'talkie' but alas, it doesn't mean that the overall end result is disappointing. This movie has plenty of entertaining slapstick humor to offer, that will surely shall please the fans.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

"Some wiggler huh?" Oliver Hardy says while both he and Stan Laurel ogle Anita Garvin's swaying backside (and quite an ogle inducing backside it is).

Quite refreshing to see a pre-code comedy that shows that men were not indifferent to female charms despite what most films from 1935 to 1950-something would have us believe. Nothing smutty like you would see today. Just an appreciation of the female form in all it's glory.

And besides, it's Laurel & Hardy.

d:) d:)

"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.

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 is one of the classic silent shorts featuring the boys playing waiters at a swanky dinner party with high class guests. Of course, everything that could go wrong does end up going wrong, from obvious slapstick (the classic cream pie to the face sketch is repeated constantly) to classic misunderstandings and bizarro situations. While the boys are on top form as ever here, what I really liked was the characterisation of the other players. The scene with the lady trying to get the cherry on her spoon is utterly delightful and on par with the established players. Altogether a fine show.