Editing Laurel and Hardy (section)

====Sound films====
In 1929 the [[silent era]] of film was coming to an end. Many silent-film actors failed to make the transition to "[[Sound film|talkies]]"—some, because they felt sound was irrelevant to their craft of conveying stories with body language; and others, because their spoken voices were considered inadequate for the new medium.<ref>{{harvnb|Sagert|2010|p=40}}</ref> However, the addition of spoken dialogue only enhanced Laurel's and Hardy's performances; both had extensive theatrical experience and could use their voices to great comic effect. Their films also continued to feature much visual comedy.<ref>{{harvnb|McCabe|1987|p=153}}</ref> In these ways, they made a seamless transition to their first sound film, ''[[Unaccustomed As We Are]]'' (1929),<ref name="Gehring 1990, p. 42">{{harvnb|Gehring|1990|p=42}}</ref> whose title was a play on the familiar phrase, "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking".<ref>{{harvnb|Mitchell|2010|p=305}}</ref> In the opening dialogue, Laurel and Hardy began by [[parody|spoofing]] the slow and self-conscious speech of the early talking actors—a routine they would use regularly.<ref>{{harvnb|Louvish|2002|p=252}}</ref>

''[[The Music Box]]'' (1932), with the pair delivering a piano up a long flight of steps,<ref>{{harvnb|Skretvedt|1987|p=230}}</ref> won an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] for Best Live Action Short Subject.<ref>{{harvnb|McCabe|2004b|p=111}}</ref> ''The Music Box'' remains one of the duo's most widely known films.

Laurel and Hardy were favorites around the world, and Hal Roach catered to international audiences by filming many of their early talkies in other languages. They spoke their dialogue phonetically, in Spanish, Italian, French, or German.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Pat |title=Laurel & Hardy Overseas |url=http://www.patfullerton.com/lh/movies/foreign.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906124815/http://www.patfullerton.com/lh/movies/foreign.html |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2011 |website=patfullerton.com}}</ref> The plots remained similar to the English versions, although the supporting actors were often changed to those fluent in the native language. ''[[Pardon Us]]'' (1931) was reshot in all four foreign languages. ''[[Blotto (film)|Blotto]]'', ''[[Hog Wild (1930 film)|Hog Wild]]'' and ''[[Be Big!]]'' were remade in French and Spanish versions. ''[[Night Owls (1930 film)|Night Owls]]'' was remade in both Spanish and Italian, and ''[[Below Zero (1930 film)|Below Zero]]'' and ''[[Chickens Come Home]]'' in Spanish.