Pick and Shovel (1923)

Introduction
"Pick and Shovel" is an American silent short funny movie directed by George Jeske and produced in 1923. The movie features famous comic actor Stan Laurel as a significant character, marking one of the extremely early appearances of his profession.

Plot Summary
The plot of "Pick and Shovel" centers around a group of building employees who are working under a rather severe and gruff boss on an active construction website. As the story progresses, the construction site and the hotel near it become a setting for a rollercoaster of comic takes and hilarious problems involving its workers and residents.

Laurel plays the function of among the building and construction employees, effortlessly offering a comic twist to the simplest of tiresome tasks. His obvious clumsiness and his rather innovative, yet futile efforts to fix his errors and add to the total work keep the audience amused throughout.

Main Characters
Stan Laurel, a famous comic figure in his own right, plays the central character in 'Pick and Shovel.' Even though he is simply an employee at the building site, his character is the most illustrative. His activities and expressions carve out the humor in the life of a laborer, producing an entertaining tension in between himself, his co-workers, and the one in charge.

The character of the boss, depicted by Noah Young, is that of a gruff and short-fused guy, constantly at chances with Laurel's clumsy character. Their interactions contribute to the overall humor of the movie.

Other building workers under in charge have been successfully utilized to produce a vibrant environment of a bustling construction site going through various activities, adding to the flow of the funny.

Noteworthy Features
The film showcases traditional components of silent slapstick comedy, reminiscent of the early 1920s' age. Stan Laurel's performance manages to hold the audience's attention. Laurel, already a recognized Vaudeville performer at this point, incorporates his innovative physical comedy into this character, making it unforgettable regardless of the limited screentime.

Conclusion
"Pick and Shovel" might not be amongst the most recognized works of Stan Laurel, however, the short film exhibits the quintessence of quiet period slapstick comedy. With its clever sequences and misadventures on the construction site, it serves as a suggestion of Laurel's early flexibility and prowess in the funny genre. Despite being a quiet film, it loudly echoes the trials and adversities dealt with by building and construction employees, all while keeping a light-hearted and comic technique towards it. All these aspects contribute to making "Pick and Shovel" a fantastic visual reward for classic funny lovers.

Like numerous silent movies of that time, the movie relies heavily on slapstick humor and physical comedy to gather laughs from the audience. It acts as an outstanding example of Laurel's early works, showing his flair for comedic timing and physical humor, which he would go on to perfect in later years. In general, "Pick and Shovel" is a timeless piece of early cinema that offers valuable insight into the development of funny films throughout the 20th century.

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