The Finishing Touch

About the production

The house collapse sequence was achieved through careful engineering and timing, requiring multiple takes to perfect the comedic effect. The construction set was built with predetermined breakaway points to ensure the collapse would be both spectacular and safe for the performers. was produced during the peak of silent comedy craftsmanship, just before the transition to sound films.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Made in its country of production around 1928, The Finishing Touch belongs to the late silent period. Its story of stan and ollie are hired to build a house in just one day spoke to audiences of the day through familiar genres and topical settings.

Why this film matters

Archivists and historians still cite The Finishing Touch when tracing how the late silent period filmmakers staged stan and ollie on screen.

Making of

The production of 'The Finishing Touch' showcased the meticulous planning that went into Laurel and Hardy's physical comedy. The construction set was engineered with specific weak points to ensure the collapse sequence would work perfectly each time. Stan Laurel, who was deeply involved in the creative process, contributed many gags and timing elements. Oliver Hardy's larger physical presence was utilized for contrast with Laurel's smaller, more frantic movements. The filming required multiple takes of the house collapse, as the timing had to be precise to maximize comedic impact. Director Clyde Bruckman, known for his technical expertise in comedy filming, used innovative camera angles to enhance the visual humor of the construction chaos. The bird sequence was particularly challenging, requiring careful coordination between the animal trainer and the film crew to achieve the perfect comedic moment.

What critics said

Reviews from 1928 weighed The Finishing Touch on pacing, performance, and novelty. Later criticism reads its emphasis on stan, ollie, hired through modern standards of craft and representation.

Did you know?

• This was one of the early films where Laurel and Hardy were officially billed as a comedy team, helping establish their iconic dynamic
• The elaborate house construction set was among the costliest and complex sets built for a Hal Roach short at that time
• Director Clyde Bruckman was a former comedy writer who had worked with Buster Keaton and later directed W.C. Fields and Abbott and Costello
• Dorothy Coburn, who plays the homeowner's wife, was a regular Hal Roach player who appeared in numerous Laurel and Hardy comedies
• The bird that causes the house collapse was actually a trained canary that was placed on the roof using invisible wires
• was remade in 1930 as a sound short titled 'The Real McCoy' with different actors but similar plot elements
• The construction mishaps were largely improvised by Laurel and Hardy, drawing on their physical comedy skills
• This was one of the last silent shorts Laurel and Hardy made before transitioning to sound films
• The film's title refers to both the finishing touches on the house and the final comedic collapse
• Many of the construction gags were reused or referenced in later Laurel and Hardy films

Awards & recognition

• No specific awards were recorded for this individual short film

Visual style

The cinematography by George Stevens employs careful framing to maximize the physical comedy gags. Wide shots are used effectively to show the full scale of the construction chaos and the eventual house collapse. The camera work demonstrates the sophisticated techniques being developed in late silent films, including dynamic movement during action sequences. Stevens uses varying camera angles to enhance the comedy, such as low angles to emphasize the height of the construction and close-ups to capture the duo's reactions. The photography maintains clear visibility of the complex physical gags, crucial for silent comedy where visual clarity is paramount. The lighting techniques used help create depth in the construction set, making the space feel three-dimensional and allowing for more complex staging of the comedy sequences.

Innovations

The house collapse sequence represents a significant technical achievement in special effects for its time. The construction set was engineered with precise breakaway points and tension systems to ensure a controlled yet spectacular collapse. The timing of the bird landing and subsequent collapse required meticulous coordination between the animal handler, effects crew, and camera operators. The film innovative use of perspective and forced perspective techniques to enhance the comedy. The production team developed new methods for safely executing dangerous-looking stunts while protecting the performers. The film's editing demonstrates sophisticated rhythm and pacing, particularly in building tension during the construction sequences. These technical innovations influenced how physical comedy sequences would be filmed in subsequent years.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Finishing Touch' originally featured no recorded dialogue or sound effects. The musical accompaniment would have been provided live in theaters by pianists or small orchestras, typically using cue sheets provided by the studio. The score would have included popular songs of the era as well as classical pieces chosen to match the mood of each scene. Modern restorations and releases of the film often feature newly composed scores by silent film music specialists. These contemporary scores attempt to recreate the authentic silent era experience while using modern recording technology. The musical choices typically emphasize the comedic timing of the physical gags and enhance the emotional beats of the story. Some versions include sound effects added in later years, though purists prefer the silent version with only musical accompaniment.

Famous quotes

(Intertitle) 'We'll have this house built in one day or my name isn't Ollie!'

(Intertitle) 'Well, I'll be... a bird did all that!'

(Intertitle) 'You want your money back? You'll have to catch us first!'

Memorable scenes

• The elaborate house collapse sequence where a small bird causes the entire structure to fall in perfectly timed comedic destruction
• Stan and Ollie's chaotic attempts at measuring and cutting lumber with increasingly disastrous results
• The paint-spilling scene where the duo end up covered in white paint while trying to paint the house
• The nail-hammering sequence where Stan manages to nail his own thumb to a board
• The final chase scene as they flee the angry homeowner with comedic physical gags throughout

What audiences thought

Audiences in 1928 responded enthusiastically to 'The Finishing Touch,' with theaters reporting strong attendance and positive audience reactions. The film was popular in both domestic and international markets, helping establish Laurel and Hardy's global appeal. Moviegoers particularly enjoyed the escalating chaos of the construction sequence and the satisfying collapse of the house. The film's success at the box office encouraged Hal Roach to continue developing the Laurel and Hardy team concept. Contemporary audience members often laughed and cheered during the house collapse scene, which became among the leading talked-about moments in the short. Modern audiences who view the film in revival screenings or through home media continue to appreciate its timeless physical comedy and the duo's endearing characters.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Buster Keaton's 'The General' (for elaborate physical comedy)
• Harold Lloyd's construction-themed films
• Charlie Chaplin's character-driven comedy
• Mack Sennett's slapstick traditions
• Classic vaudeville comedy routines

This film influenced

• Laurel and Hardy's 'The Music Box' (similar escalation of chaos)
• The Three Stooges' construction shorts
• Abbott and Costello's 'Hold That Ghost' (house collapse sequence)
• Modern physical comedy films like 'The Three Amigos'

Film restoration

The film is preserved in its complete form and has been restored by various film archives including the Library of Congress and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Several high-quality versions exist on DVD and Blu-ray releases. The original nitrate negatives have been preserved and transferred to safety film. The film remains in excellent condition for its age, with clear image quality throughout. Color-tinted versions from the original release have also been preserved, showing how silent films were often presented with selective coloring for dramatic effect.

Where to watch

• Available on DVD in 'The Laurel & Hardy Collection' volumes from various distributors
• Streaming on The Criterion Channel
• Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber in restored editions
• YouTube (official uploads from copyright holders)
• Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video
• Included in various streaming services specializing in classic films
• Available for viewing at film archives and libraries with classic film collections