Unaccustomed As We Are

Unaccustomed As We Are
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Lewis R. Foster Hal Roach
Produced by	Hal Roach
Written by	Leo McCarey (story) H. M. Walker
Starring	Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Edgar Kennedy Mae Busch Thelma Todd
Cinematography	John MacBurnie Len Powers Jack Roach George Stevens
Editing by	Richard C. Currier
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date(s)	May 4, 1929 (1929-05-04)
Running time	18 min. (silent version) 20:44 (sound version)
Country	United States
Language	English Also in silent version with English intertitles

Unaccustomed As We Are is the first sound comedy short film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy released on May 4, 1929.

Plot

Ollie brings Stan home for dinner, a very unwelcome surprise for Mrs. Hardy who storms out in a huff. Mrs. Kennedy, a neighbor from across the hall, offers to help the boys cook dinner; they, in turn, help to set her dress on fire. Mr. Kennedy, a cop, returns home and the boys hid the slip-clad Mrs. K. in a trunk. Unaware that his wife is within earshot, Mr. Kennedy starts bragging to the boys about his extramarital liasons.

Notes

• Unaccustomed As We Are is notable for being Laurel and Hardy's first sound film (the title was drawn from the popular cliché "Unaccustomed as we are to public speaking ..."). The soundtrack was lost for 50 years until it was traced on disc in the late 1970s. A silent version, with intertitles, was also released, as well as a Victor disc hybrid (featuring a synchronized music score and sound effects).
• This is the first film in which Hardy says to Laurel, "Why don't you do something to help me!" which immediately became acatchphrase, repeated in numerous subsequent films. Also heard for the first time is Stan's distinctive, high-pitched whimper of distress.
• The plot of Unaccustomed As We Are was expanded into the full-length feature Block-Heads in 1938.
• The gag of the spaghetti ending on Ollie's lap was originally conceived for their 1928 silent Habeas Corpus, but was left unfilmed.

Further reading

Skretvedt, Randy (1996). Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies. (2nd ed.) Anaheim, California: Past Times Publishing Co. ISBN 0-940410-29-X. (Film-by-film analysis, with detailed behind-the-scenes material and numerous quotes from colleagues)

External links

• Unaccustomed As We Are at the Internet Movie Database
• Unaccustomed As We Are at AllRovi
• Unaccustomed As We Are at Rotten Tomatoes