Putting Pants on Philip

Plot

J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Oliver Hardy), a pompous and proper gentleman, anxiously awaits the arrival of his Scottish nephew Philip (Stan Laurel) at the train station. When Philip disembarks wearing traditional Scottish kilts, the mortified Mumblethrush immediately drags him to a tailor shop to purchase proper American trousers. The comedy escalates as Philip struggles with the unfamiliar clothing, leading to a series of hilarious mishaps including Philip repeatedly losing his pants while walking down stairs, getting tangled in streetcar tracks, and causing chaos in public. The film culminates in a frantic chase scene where Mumblethrush desperately tries to maintain his nephew's dignity while Philip's kilt-versus-pants dilemma creates public spectacle.

Historical Background

Released in 1927, 'Putting Pants on Philip' emerged during the golden age of silent comedy and just before the transition to sound films. The late 1920s saw the peak of silent comedy, with legends like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd dominating the box office. Hal Roach Studios was competing with major studios by developing comedy teams that could produce consistent, high-quality shorts. The film's release coincided with the growing popularity of two-reel comedies in theaters, which were often shown as supporting features to main attractions. 1927 was also the year of 'The Jazz Singer,' which would soon revolutionize the industry, making this one of the last great silent comedy shorts before the talkie revolution transformed Hollywood.

Making Of

The production of 'Putting Pants on Philip' marked a turning point in comedy history. Director Clyde Bruckman, who had worked extensively with Buster Keaton, brought his expertise in visual comedy to the project. The film was developed specifically to showcase the chemistry between Laurel and Hardy, who had been appearing together in various Roach films but hadn't yet been officially paired. The script was written with input from both comedians, allowing them to develop their signature characters. The famous pants-losing sequence required careful choreography and timing, with Laurel having to practice the exact movements to ensure the comedic effect worked perfectly. The production team built a special staircase with removable steps to enhance the visual gags. Filming took place over several days at the Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, with location shooting on actual Los Angeles streets for the streetcar sequence.

Visual Style

The cinematography by George Stevens employs classic silent comedy techniques with careful attention to visual framing and timing. The camera work emphasizes the physical comedy through wide shots that capture full body movements, particularly crucial for the pants-losing gags. The staircase sequence uses a combination of static and moving shots to maximize the comic effect, with careful framing ensuring that the audience sees both the cause and effect of each mishap. The streetcar scene demonstrates innovative use of depth of field for its time, creating layered comedy with multiple actions occurring simultaneously. The lighting techniques, typical of Hal Roach productions, use natural light when possible to create a bright, cheerful atmosphere that enhances the comedic tone.

Innovations

While not technically innovative in terms of camera work or editing, 'Putting Pants on Philip' perfected the art of comedic timing and physical comedy construction. The film's use of multiple locations within a short runtime demonstrated efficient production planning. The staircase sequence required innovative set construction with removable steps and trap doors to achieve the desired comic effects. The film also showcased advanced techniques in continuity editing for comedy, ensuring that gags landed with maximum impact through precise cut timing. The coordination required for the streetcar scene, involving actual public transportation, demonstrated the production team's ability to control complex outdoor sequences.

Music

As a silent film, 'Putting Pants on Philip' was originally accompanied by live musical scores in theaters. The typical orchestration included jaunty Scottish tunes for Philip's entrance, frantic ragtime pieces for the chase sequences, and comedic stinger music for the pants-losing moments. The Hal Roach music department provided cue sheets to theater orchestras, suggesting specific musical pieces for each scene. Modern restorations have been released with newly composed scores by silent film experts, including versions by Robert Israel and the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. These scores attempt to recreate the authentic 1920s moviegoing experience while using modern recording technology.

Memorable Scenes

• The iconic staircase sequence where Philip repeatedly loses his newly acquired pants while descending the stairs, with each fall becoming more elaborate and comical than the last
• The opening train station scene where Philip first appears in his Scottish kilt, causing immediate shock and horror to his proper uncle Mumblethunder
• The tailor shop scene where Philip struggles with trying on various pairs of pants, leading to chaos in the normally orderly establishment
• The streetcar scene where Philip's kilt gets caught in the tracks, creating panic and confusion while Mumblethunder tries desperately to maintain decorum

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Putting Pants on Philip' as a standout comedy short. Variety called it 'one of the funniest two-reelers of the year' and specifically noted the chemistry between Laurel and Hardy. The Film Daily praised the 'inventive gags and perfect timing' while Motion Picture News highlighted the 'hilarious staircase sequence' as a masterclass in physical comedy. Modern critics and film historians view the film as a landmark in comedy history, with Leonard Maltin calling it 'the film that created a legend.' The American Film Institute includes it among their list of important comedy shorts, and it's frequently cited in film studies courses as an example of perfect comedic construction and timing.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 absolutely adored 'Putting Pants on Philip,' with theaters reporting that it generated some of the biggest laughs of any comedy short that year. The film's simple premise of a man trying to put pants on his kilt-wearing nephew resonated with viewers of all backgrounds. Audience reaction was so positive that Hal Roach immediately green-lit more Laurel and Hardy collaborations. The film became a repeat favorite in theaters, with many venues bringing it back for encore showings due to popular demand. Contemporary audience letters to film magazines frequently mentioned the staircase scene as their favorite moment, and the film helped establish Laurel and Hardy as beloved comedy stars whose popularity would endure for decades.

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