The Battle of the Century
The Battle of the Century

Movie spotlight

The Battle of the Century

1927
Movie
19 min
English

Fight manager takes out an insurance policy on his puny pugilist and then proceeds to try to arrange for an accident so that he can collect.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Clyde A. Geronimi, Norman Z. McLeod, Fred C. QuimbyGenres: Comedy, Short, Silent film

Plot Summary

In this silent comedy short, two rival ice cream companies, led by rival businessmen, engage in a chaotic battle to win over customers. Their escalating rivalry involves elaborate schemes and a massive, messy ice cream fight that engulfs the city.

Critical Reception

As a silent short, 'The Battle of the Century' is primarily remembered for its impressive scale and ambitious ice cream fight sequence, which was groundbreaking for its time and remains a highlight of Laurel and Hardy's early career, despite its destruction. While specific critical reviews from its release are scarce, it's recognized as a significant and often cited example of early slapstick comedy.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious production and large-scale gags.

  • The iconic ice cream fight is considered a landmark comedic sequence.

  • Recognized as a showcase for early slapstick timing and physical comedy.

Google audience: Audience appreciation often focuses on the sheer spectacle of the ice cream fight and the film's energetic slapstick, marking it as a memorable piece of silent comedy history.

Fun Fact

The famous ice cream fight sequence reportedly used over 10,000 gallons of ice cream and required the cleanup of an entire city block.

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