Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"a daunting number of stairs"

The steep flight of stairs featured in the Oscar-winning 1932 comedy short, "The Music Box" are cherished among fans of the legendary team of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. There's even a plaque on the steps in Silver Lake commemorating the production.

Directed by James Parrott, "The Music Box" — the first film to win the Oscar for live action short — follows the misadventures of Laurel and Hardy as they try to deliver a player piano to a residence located up a daunting number of stairs. Of course, nothing goes according to plan and the duo find themselves in what they always called another fine mess.

The "Music Box" steps still exist at 923-937 Vendome at Del Monte in Silver Lake. But unlike in the film, the steps don't lead to a residence. Instead they connect Vendome with Descano Drive at the hill's top.

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