I may be able to ease the pain for Tim L'Amoureux [091218 MMDigest].
The Laurel and Hardy movie is "The Music Box", made in 1932, for
which the boys received their only joint Oscar.  It was in fact
a sound remake in three reels of their earlier (1927) silent 2-reeler,
"Hats Off", in which they attempt to deliver a washing machine up
a famous flight of 131 steps.  The address is given as "1127 Walnut
Avenue" but in fact the steps (still to be seen although now somewhat
built-in) are at 923-937 Vendome Avenue in the Silver Lake area of
Hollywood, just off Sunset Boulevard.

I hope I can set your mind at rest about the piano.  Although it is
several years since I last saw the film, I do recall that it is full
of cinematic devices.  The crate supposedly containing the piano is
patently empty as the boys cavort up and down the steps and haul it up
to a first story window.  And when the piano is removed from the crate
and plugged in to the electric supply (causing a minor explosion and
pain to Ollie, of course) it bursts into action.  In reality the piano
is played off-screen by Marvin Hatley, otherwise known as the composer
of the famous "Dance of the Cuckoos" theme tune.

Although I can't prove it without a minute exploration of the film,
I'm happily convinced that the piano wrecking is shown by Hollywood
trickery involving parts of already wrecked instruments.  Looking at
a production still showing Billy Gilbert in his role of Professor
Theodore von Schwarzenhoffen, M.D., A.D., D.D.S., F.L.D., F.F.F. und F.
("I hate pianos!") swinging an axe at the piano, the parts at his feet
show no components of any player mechanism.

Happy days!  And Christmas and New Year greetings from Down Under!

Michael Woolf
New Zealand