The Chimp

| 1932

Directed by: James Parrott

Main Plot

"The Chimp," directed by James Parrott, is a 1932 short comedy film featuring the iconic duo Laurel and Hardy. The story follows the misadventures of two down-on-their-luck circus performers who find themselves jobless after the circus goes bankrupt. As part of their severance, they are each given a parting gift: one receives a flea circus, and the other, a live chimpanzee named Ethel. Their attempts to find lodging are complicated by the presence of the chimp, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic situations. The film is a classic example of slapstick comedy, with the duo's efforts to navigate their predicament resulting in a series of escalating mishaps and misunderstandings.

Characters

  • Stan Laurel plays Stan, a circus worker who, along with his partner Ollie, mistakenly ends up with a chimpanzee, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.
  • Oliver Hardy plays Ollie, a circus performer who, along with his partner Stan, ends up caring for a chimpanzee, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.
  • Bobby Burns is a circus performer who, along with his partner, inherits a troublesome chimpanzee, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.

Ending Explained

'The Chimp,' directed by James Parrott, concludes with a series of comedic mishaps that resolve the film's central conflicts. The movie follows Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, who are left jobless after a circus closes down. They end up with a flea circus and a chimpanzee named Ethel, which leads to a series of misunderstandings and chaotic situations. In the final scenes, Stan and Ollie try to find a place to stay, but their attempts are thwarted by Ethel's presence. They eventually sneak into a boarding house, only to be discovered by the landlord, who mistakes Ethel for his estranged wife due to a series of coincidences and misunderstandings. This culminates in a frantic chase and a series of slapstick gags typical of Laurel and Hardy's style. The movie ends with the landlord realizing the mix-up and forgiving the duo, allowing them to stay. The resolution brings a sense of relief and humor, wrapping up the film's narrative with the protagonists finding a temporary solution to their predicament, maintaining the light-hearted and comedic tone throughout.

James Parrott Short Comedy Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Bobby Burns