DbcultAccessing Vault...
7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Unaccustomed As We Are remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're into classic slapstick, especially the kind that makes you groan and chuckle at the same time, then yes, _Unaccustomed As We Are_ is absolutely worth a watch today. It’s pure Laurel and Hardy, so fans will eat it up like a plate of badly cooked eggs. But if early sound-era physical comedy isn’t your thing, or you need dialogue that isn't delivered like a stage play, then maybe give this one a pass. No harm in that.
The whole thing kicks off with Mrs. Hardy, played by Mae Busch, just done with cooking. Her face, oh man, it tells a story without a word. Oliver, always the one to try and be in charge, decides he and Stan will cook their own dinner. What could possibly go wrong? Everything.
Watching Oliver try to command a kitchen is a sight. He's got this air of importance, you know, like he's conducting an orchestra, but it’s just him and a pot. Stan, bless his heart, tries to help. He peels a potato like it's a foreign object, dropping bits everywhere. It's the little things, like how the potato slips right out of his hand, that make you smile. You can almost see Oliver’s blood pressure rising with every tiny mishap.
Then the neighbors show up! Thelma Todd, looking radiant, and Edgar Kennedy, already looking annoyed. The setup is simple: Mrs. Hardy is out, and Mrs. Kennedy needs a phone. But of course, Oliver sees Thelma and gets all flustered, trying to impress her with his kitchen skills. 🙄
There’s a great bit where Oliver is just trying to be suave, all while Stan is behind him, completely unaware, causing a small, escalating disaster with the stove. The flames, the smoke – it's all building up perfectly. The way the set pieces start to actively work against them, you can almost hear the crew stifling giggles off-camera.
Edgar Kennedy's slow burn is a masterpiece here. He just stands there, watching Oliver flirt with his wife, and you can see the steam practically coming out of his ears. The way his head slightly tilts, the eyes narrowing. You just know what's coming, don't you?
The kitchen itself becomes a war zone. Flour, water, food flying everywhere. It's not subtle, but it's effective. One particular shot of Oliver covered in batter, looking utterly defeated, is just classic. His little tie is barely visible under all the mess. Poor guy.
And then the wives come back! Mae Busch's reaction to seeing her husband trying to woo the neighbor's wife, covered in kitchen mess, is priceless. It's a short, sharp burst of pure indignation. You can practically hear her thinking, _"I knew I shouldn't have trusted them."_
The film's pacing feels a bit like a stage play at times, which makes sense for early talkies. But the physical comedy? That still hits. The way Stan accidentally throws a pie and it just smacks someone right in the face. It's a simple gag, but always works.
It’s a fun little snapshot of 1929 comedy. Not every joke lands with modern audiences, sure, but the _spirit_ of it, the sheer commitment to the bit, is still very much there. The final chaotic brawl, while short, wraps things up in true L&H fashion. You kinda expect it, but it's still satisfying. They always find a way to make a mess, don't they? 😂
IMDb —
1928
Community
Log in to comment.
