The Fixer Uppers (1935)

Film Overview
"The Fixer Uppers" is a comical short movie launched in 1935, directed by Charles Rogers and including the renowned duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Known for their slapstick funny, the Laurel and Hardy collaboration completely serves the humor intrinsic in the plot of this movie. The story is centered around Laurel and Hardy as 2 Christmas card sellers 'the fixer uppers' who end up embroiled in a disorderly plan including a lonely and neglected other half and a rather mad husband.

Plot
In "The Fixer Uppers", Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy play the roles of traveling salesmans selling Christmas cards in the middle of July. Their service, unfortunately, is not prospering. They discover a prospective client in the character of Madame Pierre Gustav (Mae Busch), a despondent partner desperate for her spouse's attention. She devises a plan, proposing that a person of them (Stan) pretends to be her enthusiast, arouse her hubby's jealousy, and rekindle his interest in her. They both concur, lured by the guarantee of spoils and a significant amount of money ($50) if the ruse is successful.

Madame Pierre Gustav's Scheme
Madame Pierre composes a love letter to her hubby, Monsieur Pierre (Charles Middleton), admitting her fictitious affair, however without unveiling the name of her expected lover. Upon reading this letter, Monsieur Pierre is furious and challenges the unknown guy to a battle. In the meantime, Hardy allows Stan to continue the plan without knowing the deadly consequences.

The Duel
Stan and Hardy satisfy Monsieur Pierre at a bar, not recognizing he is Madame Gustav's other half. Monsieur Pierre, greatly consuming due to his sorrow, reveals his objectives to murder his partner's so-called enthusiast. Seeing him upset, Stan empathetically reveals that he is the unnamed fan from the letter, unconsciously throwing himself into the fire. The flabbergasted Monsieur Pierre challenges him to a pistol duel which is set for the same night.

Climax and Conclusion
Stan, now knowledgeable about the deadly duel, tries to back out however Hardy insists they must go through with it to earn their pay. When it's time for the battle, Stan encourages Hardy to enter his location, assuring him that the weapons are not genuine. Nevertheless, upon their arrival, they are amazed to see the authorities and Madame Gustav. Inexplicably, Monsieur Pierre fails to appear. The movie ends humorously with Stan accidentally activating a gun which turns out to be genuine, causing panic.

Analysis
"The Fixer Uppers" employs the timeless comedy of errors trope, with its essence depending on the mix-up of identities and the comedic misunderstandings that feature it. The performances of Laurel and Hardy bring the humor to life, with their flawless comic timing and slapstick jokes. The script weaves a basic yet effective story, delivering a lot of laughs. Despite being a short film, it loads a punch with its ridiculous yet entertaining story, leaving an enduring impression of the renowned Laurel and Hardy magic.

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