Chickens Come Home

Chickens Come Home is a 1931 American pre-Code short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach. It was shot in January 1931 and released on February 21, 1931. It is a remake of the 1927 silent film Love 'em and Weep in which Jimmy Finlayson plays Hardy's role and Hardy plays a party guest.

Chickens Come Home
UK title card
Directed byJames W. Horne
Produced byHal Roach
Written byHal Roach (story)
H.M. Walker (dialogue)
StarringStan Laurel
Oliver Hardy
Music byMarvin Hatley
Leroy Shield
CinematographyJack Stevens
Art Lloyd
Edited byRichard C. Currier
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • February 11, 1931 (1931-02-11)
Running time
30' 26" (English)
56' 11" (Spanish)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Laurel and Hardy are Dealers in High Grade Fertilizer according to their door.

Ollie is sitting at a desk smoking a fat cigar, he asks his assistant to fetch the General Manager, Mr Laurel. Laurel says he has been in the "sample room". He dictates an acceptance speech to Laurel, which tells us that he is standing for mayor. Ollie is confronted at his office by an old flame (Mae Busch) who threatens to publish an old photograph of herself on the shoulders of Ollie at the beach if she is not paid off. Ollie agrees to meet her that evening to make a settlement. The woman is hastily concealed in the bathroom when Mrs. Hardy (Thelma Todd) arrives to remind Ollie that they will be hosting a dinner party that evening. Mrs. Hardy spots the white ermine fur belonging to the first woman and Ollie says it is an early Christmas present. She leaves with the fur. The blackmailing woman leaves demanding Ollie goes to her apartment that night. Ollie recruits employee Stan to go to the woman's apartment while Ollie attends the party. They phone Stan's wife to explain he will be late but she does not accept this. She tells Ollie she will break Stan's arms if he is late but ollie simply tells Stan he can be out as long as he wants. Stan goes to the blackmailer's apartment with a bunch of flowers. The woman demands Ollie's telephone number, and she calls him during his dinner party, touching off a variety of misunderstandings and suspicions of unfaithfulness between the boys, their wives, Ollie's butler and Mrs. Laurel's gossipy friend.

The woman eventually makes it to Ollie's house, despite Stan's efforts; Ollie passes her off as Mrs. Laurel to avoid suspicion. After the guests leave, Ollie threatens to kill the woman and then himself, causing her to faint. Mrs Hardy says she will arrange the guest bedroom for Mr and Mrs Laurel to stay in. Stan looks worried. The real Mrs Laurel arrives armed with a hatchet and Stan flees.

Cast[1]

Stan Laurelas Mr. Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardyas Mr. Oliver Hardy
Uncredited
Mae Buschas Ollie's old flame
Baldwin Cookeas office worker
Gordon Douglasas passerby outside apartment
Norma Drewas Mrs. Laurel
James Finlaysonas butler
Elizabeth Forresteras passerby outside apartment
Charles K. Frenchas Judge
Clara Guiolas secretary
Frank Hollidayas Mr. Holliday
Ham Kinseyas Mr. Kinsey
Dorothy Laytonas office worker
Venice Lloydas office worker
Patsy O'Byrneas busybody
Gertrude Pedlaras Judge's wife
Frank Riceas Hardy's dinner servant
Thelma Toddas Mrs. Hardy

Spanish version

A Spanish-language version of this film was completely re-shot with the stars delivering their lines in phonetic Spanish. It was expanded to one hour by adding scenes of magician Abraham J. Cantu and vaudeville regurgitator Hadji Ali performing at the Hardy dinner party. Titled Politiquerias, the film was released in Latin American and Spanish markets as a feature.

Joining headliners Laurel and Hardy in this version is a supporting cast of native Spanish speakers: Linda Loredo portrays Mrs. Hardy, Carmen Granada is Mrs. Laurel, and Rina De Liguoro is in the Mae Busch role as Oliver's old girlfriend. James Finlayson, however, reprises his role as the Hardy butler and still absorbs the abuse—and even more—from the magician and the regurgitator in the added scenes.

References

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