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One of Stan and Babe's earlier talkies, Below Zero (1930) is a delightful comedy, with our two heros as street musicians, playing bass fiddle and portable organ in the midst of a snowstorm, with hopes of collecting nickels and dimes from the town's populace! In this, their most deliberately paced two-reeler, the boys encounter many angered pedestrians who are not enthralled by L&H;'s rendition of "In the Good Old Summertime." For example, one lady (Kay Deslys) calls from her second story window and inquires "How much do you boys average a street?" After much thought Ollie looks up, tips his hat elegantly, and responds, "About fifty cents a street," to which the lady tosses a coin and yells, "There's a dollar...move down a couple of streets." I won't go into the details involving the remaining footage, but I can attest that this is the perfect place to see the true characters of Laurel and Hardy and their relationship with one another. As a sidelight, the Spanish speaking version, entitled Tiembla y Titubea was shot simultaneously with the English version and features a few additional scenes (one such segment involving the "blind man") not evident in the domestic release. Also, the Spanish version features a musical score unlike the American release, which has a "dead track." For many years this has brought about many questions about the lack of music in the second half of current domestic prints. Approximately three decades ago I recalled seeing a print of Below Zero containing a score much like the one evident in Charley Chases's Whispering Whoopee of 1930. Of course, my recollections were immediately cast aside by L&H; enthusiasts who proclaimed that perhaps it was wishful thinking on my behalf. Fortunately, many years later, film collector/historian Jack Roth informed me that my memory hadn't failed me and that Below Zero was indeed filmed with a music score, and Jack had a print in his own private collection! Perhaps at a future meeting Jack might bring his copy to convince those doubting souls! >>Top of Page | Return to Films Index
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