Short Orders

SHORT ORDER is a decent but not especially distinguished Stan Laurel film. This was made four years before his permanent pairing with Oliver Hardy and up until 1927, he had been a solo act for over a decade. This one is slightly better than his average film because two decent scenes manage to bolster an otherwise drab film.

Stan plays a waiter at a crappy restaurant and frankly such fare was better done by Chaplin and others. However, in two cute scenes, the film shines. The first is a Limburger cheese bit that is low-brow but funny. The second is the final scene with dogs following Stan at the end. Otherwise, nothing especially interesting.

The bottom line is that Stan without Ollie was usually average at best. This one isn't much better than his average film and it watchable--especially if you are an oddball like me who adores everything silent. Otherwise, there are simply better comedy shorts out there--such as practically every one of Buster Keaton's.