Film Overview"Come Clean" is a resonant pre-Code comedy short movie released in 1931, directed by James W. Horne and featuring the comic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The film was produced by Hal Roach and dispersed by MGM, contributing to the hallmark 1930s humoristic style of movie theater. The movie integrates physical humor, wit, and timing to propagate comedy, showcasing the comedic prowess of Laurel and Hardy.
Plot SummaryEmbed in the Great Depression era, the movie begins with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, enjoying their peaceful night with their partners. Unexpectedly, they encounter their frustrating neighbor, whom they do not like, and rapidly decide to escape under the pretext of getting ice cream cones. On their method, they fulfill a homeless woman by the riverbank who threatens to drown herself if they don't purchase her ice cream.
Given her hostile behavior, they hesitantly concur and offer to take her for dessert. All the time, they're attempting to avoid their wives facing them with this unusual lady. In an attempt to hide from their spouses, they take her to their home, making various ridiculous and entertaining attempts to keep her concealed. This results in an increasing number of ludicrous circumstances - concealing her in a trunk, under the bed, etc. Their efforts lead to comical confusion and absurdity, supplying the film with most of its humor.
CharactersStan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the primary characters, are represented as arrested but inherently kind people, whose decisions invariably result in entertaining scenarios. Their better halves, played by Linda Loredo and Gertrude Astor, are represented as stern and no-nonsense women, with a somewhat unconcerned nature which substantially boosts the film's comic plot. Mae Busch, who plays the homeless lady, adds more comical depth to the plot, contributing to the scenarios that make the story humorous.
Humor and Themes"Come Clean" is filled with classic slapstick comedy, utilizing pratfalls, oversights, misconceptions, and mishandled efforts at deceptiveness, typical of Laurel and Hardy films. The duo's scintillating performance improves the humor.
The movie mocks the societal norms and reverence for appearances as the characters go to terrific lengths to secure their reputations from potentially destructive situations, leading to absurd happenings. This theme works together with the dominating societal conditions of that era when track record was thought about extremely crucial.
Vital ReceptionMany critics lauded "Come Clean" for its unconventional humor, the appealing efficiency by the comic duo, and the silliness of the plot seen through enjoyable gags and pranks. Audiences too embraced the film's comedy-centric facility, making it unforgettable within the Laurel and Hardy film brochure.
In Conclusion"Come Clean" is a snapshot of the comedy genre during the Pre-Code age, whose layered humor is extremely representative of Laurel and Hardy's body of work. The movie is quintessential Laurel and Hardy, using scenarios derived from normal, everyday activities and transforming them into a roller-coaster of misconceptions, hidden truths, and outright silliness, making it a traditional comedy for perpetuity.
Top Cast
