The Battle of the Century (1927)

The Battle of the Century Poster

Fight manager takes out an insurance policy on his puny pugilist and then proceeds to try to arrange for an accident so that he can collect.

Film Overview
"The Battle of the Century" is a silent movie produced by Hal Roach Studios in 1927. It is the 19th silent brief subject funny film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, better referred to as the comedic Laurel and Hardy duo. The movie is directed by Clyde Bruckman, with a running time of approximately 19 minutes. It has actually acquired significant historical honor for the famous pie fight scene, without a doubt one of the largest ever recorded on film.

Plot Synopsis
The plot of "The Battle of the Century" is comprised of two unique acts, both using slapstick funny to drive the story. The very first act includes a boxing match, where Laurel is cast as a prizefighter, and Hardy is his dishonest manager. Despite Hardy's particular and amusing attempts to fix the match in Laurel's favor, they ultimately lose, which leads to financial mess up.

Iconic Pie Fight Sequence
The 2nd half of the film is the most remembered part-- the legendary pie battle. To recover their lost fortune, Hardy chooses purchasing an insurance plan on Laurel, expecting a mishap that'll provide the insured payout. In a twist of events, a basic slip on a banana skin by a baker escalitates into a full-blown pie fight in the city streets. This spectacle incorporates over 3,000 real cream pies and has since been hailed as one of the best pie fights in film history.

Unique Filming Techniques
"The Battle of The Century" makes use of a range of excellent early cinematic techniques such as slow-motion action shots, pass-by tracking, and precision timing, all of which contribute to the hilarity and vastness of the pie battle scene. The film utilizes these cinematic effects to showcase the escalating chaos efficiently.

Lost and Found
Surprisingly, the second reel of the film was lost for many years, causing incomplete screenings and modifications of the initial movie. In 2015, the lost reel was miraculously discovered in the possession of a film collector in England. This discover made it possible for a complete restoration and screening of the film for modern-day audiences.

Critical Reception
Regardless of its initial combined reception, "The Battle of the Century" has actually acquired a status of an iconic funny, primarily due to its legendary pie battle scene. The timing, the excessive nature of the scene, and the comedic rhythm between Laurel and Hardy, has resulted in its gratitude and historic significance in cinema and its reaffirmation of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's credibility as one of the most prominent and iconic funny duos in Hollywood history.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Battle of the Century" is a considerable movie in the history of quiet movie theater. It showcases the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy and is remembered for its iconic pie battle series, still applauded as one of the biggest and most influential in history.

Top Cast

  • Stan Laurel (small)
    Stan Laurel
    Prize fighter
  • Oliver Hardy (small)
    Oliver Hardy
    Manager
  • Dorothy Coburn
    Pie victim boarding auto (uncredited)
  • Lou Costello (small)
    Lou Costello
    Boxing Hall extra (uncredited)
  • Anita Garvin (small)
    Anita Garvin
    Slips on pie (uncredited)
  • Dick Gilbert
    Sewer worker (uncredited)
  • Charlie Hall (small)
    Charlie Hall
    Pie delivery man (uncredited)
  • Al Hallett
    Bit Part (uncredited)
  • Jack Hill
    Ringside spectator (uncredited)
  • Ham Kinsey (small)
    Ham Kinsey
    Ringside spectator (uncredited)
  • Sam Lufkin
    Boxing referee (uncredited)