Another Fine Mess (1930) in Color — Starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy

Another Fine Mess (1930) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the hilarious Laurel & Hardy short Another Fine Mess (1930) Colorized, directed by James Parrott, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in one of their most celebrated comedy shorts where the hapless duo, fleeing from a policeman, hide in a vacant mansion and are forced to impersonate the wealthy owner and his butler when a married couple arrives to rent the property, leading to an escalating cascade of deception, mistaken identity, and pure slapstick brilliance that showcases the legendary comedy team at the absolute peak of their creative powers, a perfectly crafted three-reel comedy that packs more genuine laughs into its brief runtime than most feature-length films, now available for purchase in stunning color for just €15.00. This digitally enhanced version brings this timeless comedy gem to vivid new life. Own this DRM-free digital download today.

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie find themselves on the run from a determined policeman after one of their characteristic minor misadventures escalates into a full-scale pursuit through the neighborhood streets. Ducking through a gate to evade capture, they stumble into an apparently empty mansion — a grand residence whose wealthy owner, Colonel Buckshot, has departed on an extended safari to Africa, leaving the property vacant and available for rental.

When a prospective tenant, Lord Leopold Ambrose Plumtree, arrives with his wife to inspect the property, Stan and Ollie are forced into an elaborate and increasingly desperate masquerade. Oliver assumes the identity of Colonel Buckshot himself, affecting a pompous military bearing and grandiose manner that he struggles to maintain, while Stan is pressed into service as both the Colonel’s maid — donning women’s clothing in a hilarious transformation — and the butler, rapidly switching between the two disguises as the situation demands.

The comedy escalates brilliantly as Stan must dart between rooms, changing costumes at frantic speed to maintain the illusion of two separate servants while Oliver’s ‘Colonel Buckshot’ grows increasingly tangled in his own fabrications. Stan’s maid character develops a flirtatious personality that horrifies Lord Plumtree and amuses Lady Plumtree, while Oliver’s pompous Colonel becomes ever more absurdly grandiose as the lies pile higher. The policeman, still searching for the pair, adds additional pressure as the entire charade threatens to collapse at any moment.

The film builds to a spectacular crescendo of confusion, with identities exposed, the real situation revealed, and the boys making their inevitable hasty and undignified escape, leaving behind a trail of chaos and bewildered victims of their inadvertent confidence scheme.

Cast & Crew

Director: James Parrott

Stars: Stan Laurel as Stan, Oliver Hardy as Ollie, Thelma Todd as Lady Plumtree, James Finlayson as Lord Plumtree

Stan Laurel’s physical comedy in the rapid costume-change sequences is absolutely masterful — his ability to transform between the bumbling butler and the coquettish maid in seconds represents some of the finest physical comedy ever filmed. Oliver Hardy’s pompous Colonel Buckshot is a perfect showcase for his gift for inflated dignity. Thelma Todd and James Finlayson provide expert support as the bewildered aristocratic couple.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of Another Fine Mess reveals the opulent setting and costume comedy in delightful new detail — the rich mahogany paneling and deep burgundy furnishings of the Colonel’s grand mansion, the warm golden light of crystal chandeliers illuminating the palatial rooms, the crisp black and white of Oliver’s borrowed Colonel’s dress uniform with its gleaming brass buttons, the frilly pink and white maid’s outfit that Stan squeezes into with such reluctant hilarity, the dark formal butler’s attire he switches to in panicked haste, the elegant jewel-toned clothing of the aristocratic visitors, the deep green of the mansion’s manicured gardens visible through tall windows, the rich brown leather of the library chairs, the bright blue of the pursuing policeman’s uniform, and the warm cream and gold wallpaper of the grand entrance hall. Now also available in colour. Buy Another Fine Mess (1930) Colorized today for €15.00 and own this Laurel & Hardy masterpiece in a DRM-free format.

Historical Significance

Another Fine Mess is considered one of the finest short films in the entire Laurel & Hardy canon and one of the greatest comedy shorts ever produced. The film’s title has become part of the English language — Oliver Hardy’s exasperated catchphrase ‘Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into’ is one of the most quoted lines in all of comedy. Stan Laurel’s dual-role performance, rapidly switching between butler and maid, represents a technical and comedic tour de force that influenced generations of comedy performers. The film showcases the Hal Roach Studios’ production values at their finest, with elaborate sets and costumes that give the comedy a richness unusual for short subjects. James Parrott’s crisp direction keeps the escalating farce moving at perfect pace. Through colorization, this irreplaceable comedy treasure is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, professional AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 29 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this a full-length movie?
A: Another Fine Mess is a three-reel comedy short running approximately 29 minutes, longer than a typical Laurel & Hardy two-reeler. Despite its shorter length, it is packed with more laughs and brilliant comic business than many feature-length comedies.

Q: Does Stan Laurel really dress as a woman?
A: Yes, Stan plays both the butler and the maid, rapidly switching between the two disguises in some of the most brilliantly executed physical comedy sequences in cinema history. His maid character is one of his most memorable comic creations.

Q: Is this where the famous catchphrase comes from?
A: The title references Oliver Hardy’s beloved catchphrase, ‘Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into,’ which became one of the most famous lines in comedy history and is forever associated with the Laurel & Hardy partnership.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in HD 720p resolution, compatible with virtually all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
A: Yes, your purchase is completely DRM-free. You own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or recurring fees.

Q: How quickly will I receive the download?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment is confirmed. You can begin watching Another Fine Mess (1930) Colorized within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Music Box (1932)
• Sons of the Desert (1933)
• Way Out West (1937)
• The Bellboy (1960)
• When Comedy Was King (1960)