With Love and Hisses

Plot

In this silent comedy, the dimwitted and clumsy Cuthbert Hope (Stan Laurel) is mistakenly drafted into the army, where his incompetence causes endless chaos for his long-suffering Sergeant (Oliver Hardy) and the entire military base. Hope's attempts to follow military discipline result in a series of disastrous mishaps, including destroying equipment, disrupting formations, and creating general mayhem during training exercises. The Sergeant's efforts to mold Hope into a proper soldier backfire spectacularly, leading to increasingly absurd situations that culminate in a wild chase sequence. Throughout the film, Hope's bumbling antics inadvertently expose the ridiculousness of military bureaucracy while maintaining the slapstick humor that would become Laurel and Hardy's trademark. The film concludes with Hope somehow managing to survive his military ordeal while leaving his superiors completely exasperated.

Historical Background

1927 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the end of the silent film era with the release of 'The Jazz Singer' later that year. 'With Love and Hisses' was produced during this transitional period when silent comedy was at its peak, with Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd dominating the field. The film reflects the post-World War I fascination with military life, as many comedies of this period used military settings to satirize authority and bureaucracy. The Roach studio was competing with larger studios by producing short comedies quickly and efficiently, helping to establish the two-reel format as a staple of movie theater programming. This film also represents the early stages of what would become one of cinema's most beloved comedy partnerships, emerging during Hollywood's golden age of studio production.

Making Of

The filming of 'With Love and Hisses' took place during a crucial period at Hal Roach Studios when the producers were experimenting with different comedy pairings. Stan Laurel had been a successful solo comedian, while Oliver Hardy had been playing various character roles. Director Fred Guiol recognized their complementary chemistry - Laurel's childlike innocence paired perfectly with Hardy's pompous authority. The military setting was chosen partly because the studio had an existing barracks set that could be reused, and partly because military life provided a natural framework for physical comedy and conflict. The film was shot in just a few days using Roach's efficient production system, which typically completed two-reel comedies on tight schedules. During filming, the actors improvised many of the gags, with Laurel contributing his experience from his years in British music halls and Hardy bringing his theatrical background to create the character dynamics that would eventually define their partnership.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'With Love and Hisses' reflects the standard practices of Hal Roach Studios in the late 1920s, utilizing static cameras positioned to capture the full scope of physical comedy. The film employs wide shots to establish the military setting and allow the actors room for their elaborate physical gags, with medium shots used for facial expressions and character interactions. The lighting is typical of studio productions of the era, bright and even to ensure visibility of the performers' actions. The camera work is functional rather than artistic, focusing on clearly presenting the comedy rather than creating visual style, which was appropriate for the fast-paced production schedule of two-reel comedies.

Innovations

While 'With Love and Hisses' was not particularly innovative technically, it represents the efficiency of the Hal Roach Studios production system. The film demonstrates the studio's mastery of the two-reel format, packing substantial comedy and story development into its 20-minute runtime. The use of existing sets and props shows the economic approach to filmmaking that made Roach successful. The film's preservation through 16mm duplication efforts represents an early example of film preservation techniques that would become crucial for saving silent cinema heritage.

Music

As a silent film, 'With Love and Hisses' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would typically have been provided by the theater's organist or pianist, using cue sheets supplied by the studio that suggested appropriate music for various scenes. Military-themed marches would have been used for parade and training sequences, while more whimsical or frantic music would accompany the comedy scenes. No original composed score exists for this film, though modern screenings often use period-appropriate compiled scores or newly composed music that reflects the silent comedy tradition.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening recruitment scene where Laurel's character misunderstands basic military instructions, leading to him marching in the wrong direction and colliding with other recruits. The basic training sequence where Laurel attempts to follow drill commands but ends up tangled in his rifle and equipment, causing a domino effect of falling soldiers. The mess hall scene where Laurel's attempts to eat properly result in food flying everywhere and Hardy getting covered in mashed potatoes. The final chase sequence where the entire camp pursues Laurel through various obstacles, showcasing the film's most elaborate physical comedy set pieces.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'With Love and Hisses' were generally positive, with trade publications like Variety and Motion Picture News praising the film's energetic comedy and the effective pairing of Laurel and Hardy. Critics noted the film's successful use of military settings for comic situations and highlighted the physical gags and timing of the performers. Modern critics and film historians view the film as an important early example of Laurel and Hardy's developing chemistry, though it's often considered a stepping stone rather than a fully realized classic. The film is appreciated by silent comedy enthusiasts for its preservation of early Laurel and Hardy material and its representation of Roach studio's comedy style during its peak period.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 responded positively to 'With Love and Hisses,' finding the military setting relatable in the post-WWI era and enjoying the escalating chaos caused by Laurel's character. The film performed well in theaters as part of the typical double-feature programming of the era, where short comedies were expected to provide light entertainment between main features. Modern audiences, primarily silent film enthusiasts and Laurel and Hardy fans, appreciate the film as a historical artifact showing the early development of the comedy duo's style. The film continues to be screened at classic film festivals and silent cinema revival events, where it receives warm receptions from audiences familiar with Laurel and Hardy's later work.

You Might Also Like