Who has noticed the disc musical box sat on top of a safe, in the
Laurel & Hardy 1937 M.G.M movie 'Way out West'? Stan, with the deeds
to a gold mine hidden in his underwear, is running around the parlour,
pursued by James Finlayson, and Sharon Lynne.
Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that first time they pass the music
box its lid is down; seconds later they pass again, but the lid is up.
Interestingly, I identify the machine as being a Symphonion. One would
have really expected a Regina.
The film is worth watching -- there's a Mills Dewey that Stan wins on
in extraordinarily funny circumstances. A grand piano gets trashed,
and gags galore. But above all the golden moment is where Stan and
Ollie dance with elegance to the brilliant harmonies of The Avalon Boys
Quartet. Don't miss it!
Mark Singleton
Blackpool, UK
|