slapstick comedy: laurel and hardy

Laurel and Hardy – Washing the Dog (Laughing Gravy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7PnR7ioaBY

This clip is from the film 'Laughing Gravy' starring Laurel and Hardy. This section of the film uses slapstick comedy as it's main laughing point. The premise of the clip is that Laurel and Hardy are washing their dog, which they are not allowed to keep, and they are trying to hide it whenever people knock on the door.

A lot of the comedy comes from Stan Laurel, as he is the 'stupid' one compared to Oliver Hardy who comes across as intellectual.

There aren't too many camera cuts, nor are there any shots from high or low angles, this is because the characters often look into the camera which gives the viewer the impression that they are communicating with you.

There is also not much speech in the film, as it relies on slapstick comedy. The missing speech is replaced by instruments portraying the mood of the piece.