Below Zero (1930 film)
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Below Zero | |
---|---|
Directed by | James Parrott |
Written by | H.M. Walker |
Produced by | Hal Roach |
Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy |
Cinematography | George Stevens |
Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 20:36 (English) 28:19 (Spanish) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Below Zero is a 1930 short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James Parrott and produced by Hal Roach.
Plot[edit]
On a wintry day, Laurel and Hardy's attempts to earn money as street musicians prove futile, exacerbated by their unwitting performance in front of an Institute for the Deaf. Their renditions, including the nostalgic melody "In the Good Old Summertime," elicit little response from passersby. Their persistence prompts annoyance from a sidewalk shoveler and earns them a dismissive dollar from a woman, who jestingly calls out to "Mr. Whiteman," referencing bandleader Paul Whiteman due to Oliver's resemblance to a double bassist.
Amidst their misfortune, a quarrel with a woman leads to the destruction of their instruments, but a stroke of luck ensues when Stan discovers a wallet. Their brief respite is interrupted by a thief, prompting a chase until they encounter a benevolent police officer who intervenes on their behalf. Grateful for his assistance, Stan and Ollie share a meal with the officer, only to realize to their dismay that the wallet belongs to him.
Upon discovering the truth, the officer's mood sours, leading to their expulsion from the restaurant. Stan's misfortune is further compounded when he is submerged upside down in a barrel of water by the irate waiter. Oliver eventually finds him, but their troubles persist as Stan's unintended consumption of the water results in an unexpected physical transformation, symbolized by his inflated stomach.
Cast[edit]
Name | Role |
---|---|
Stan Laurel | --- Stan |
Oliver Hardy | --- Ollie |
Uncredited | |
Bobby Burns | --- 'blind' man / deadbeat diner |
Baldwin Cooke | --- man at window |
Kay Deslys | --- woman at window |
Charlie Hall | --- annoyed shopkeeper throwing snowball |
Jack Hill | --- busboy |
Frank Holliday | --- policeman |
Charles McMurphy | --- extra at restaurant |
Bob O'Connor | --- extra at restaurant |
Retta Palmer | --- woman leaving window |
Blanche Payson | --- formidable woman |
Tiny Sandford | --- Pete |
Charles Sullivan | --- extra at restaurant |
Lyle Tayo | --- woman at window tossing Stan & Ollie a dollar |
Leo Willis | --- crook |
Spanish version[edit]
An extended Spanish version, Tiembla Y Titubea was also produced with Laurel and Hardy speaking phonetically from blackboards placed just out of camera range; Spanish-speaking actors replacing the English speaking supporting players.
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Below Zero at IMDb
- Below Zero at AllMovie
- Below Zero at the TCM Movie Database
- Below Zero at Rotten Tomatoes