Big Business [Laurel and Hardy]

Big Business (1929) starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Tiny Sandford

Attempting to sell Christmas trees sounds innocent enough, doesn’t it? But in Big Business, the simple act of trying to sell Christmas trees door to door goes wrong. Hilariously wrong. It builds slowly at first, to a cacophony of destruction with James Finlayson.

After being rejected at two other houses — including Oliver Hardy being hit on the head with a hammer … twice! Stan and Ollie make their way to James Finlayson’s house. He politely says no, but Stan Laurel accidentally gets their Christmas tree stuck in his door. He answers, less politely, but Stan pulls the tree out. And gets his overcoat stuck there instead. And, following the rule of three, Stan gets the tree stuck there one more time. Which is too much for poor James Finlayson, who then attacks the tree in a moment of frustration.

The battle is on

From that point on, it’s a continuing battle of escalation. Finlayson destroys Oliver’s watch, he destroys the house numbers, their car fender, the front yard, the entire car, etc. It’s hilarious to watch. Eventually, the police (Tiny Sandford) intercedes, chides them all for acting like children, and they’re all in tears. They apologize, shake hands, and go their own ways. But Stan and Ollie exchange smiles, and the police officer knows they’re just trying to get away with the havoc, and the short ends with him chasing them down the street.