The Music Box (2007) Plot Summary Explained

The professor hates pianos intensely. When he discovers the piano in his living room, he flies into a rage and destroys it with an axe, viewing the instrument as an unwanted intrusion rather than a gift.

Foreshadowing: Earlier encounters with the professor established his hostility toward the delivery and the piano itself.

• professor
• piano
• axe
• destruction
• anger

They demonstrate relentless persistence and stubborn good humor throughout the ordeal. Even after the piano rolls back down dragging one of them, they reload and continue, driven by their commitment to completing the delivery.

Foreshadowing: Their stubborn good humor is established early as they tackle the seemingly impossible stairway.

• delivery men
• persistence
• perseverance
• stairs

When the professor realizes the piano was actually meant for him, as a birthday gift, he experiences a moment of regret and agrees to sign for delivery, though his temper remains volatile.

Foreshadowing: The wife's arrival coincides with the destruction, suggesting the gift was intended for the professor.

• professor
• sign
• delivery
• regret
• wife

After the professor agrees to sign for the delivery, a pen that sprays ink malfunctions during the signing, reigniting his temper and causing Laurel and Hardy to flee the scene.

Foreshadowing: The signing was meant to conclude the ordeal on a positive note, but the pen provides a final comic twist.

• ink pen
• signing
• mishap
• professor
• escape

When they finally manage to push the piano into the living room, no one is present at that moment, leaving the delivery men to struggle with positioning the instrument alone amidst the chaos they created.

Foreshadowing: The earlier chaos involving the nursemaid, cop, and professor suggests the household was in disarray.

• empty house
• delivery
• living room
• nobody

The piano is heavy and awkward, and the long stairway presents an insurmountable challenge. Despite the delivery men's efforts to haul it up, the weight causes it to slip and tumble back down multiple times.

Foreshadowing: The daunting stairs are introduced early as the primary obstacle they must overcome.

• piano
• stairs
• slide
• gravity
• heavy

He is the irate resident at 1127 Walnut Avenue who owns the house where the piano is being delivered. He appears during the delivery ordeal, becomes furious at the mess and the piano itself, and ultimately destroys the instrument before relenting.

Foreshadowing: The professor is introduced as an imposing figure whose authority is felt early in the confrontation.

• professor
• resident
• schwartzenhoffen
• homeowner

The woman purchased the piano as a birthday surprise for her husband and provided the address 1127 Walnut Avenue to the music store. The delivery was mistakenly routed to the professor's residence, causing the entire comic disaster.

Foreshadowing: The address was shared with the store manager at the beginning, establishing the destination.

• address
• delivery
• walnut avenue
• mistake
• surprise

After multiple failed attempts with the stairs and being told a simpler route exists, they manage to push the instrument into the living room, though not before creating a mess of chaos in their wake.

Foreshadowing: The suggestion of a simpler route leads to the piano being carried back down and brought up again.

• piano
• inside
• house
• living room
• delivery

During one of the piano's slides back down the stairs, it knocks into a nursemaid, causing one of the cascade of farcical interruptions that adds another layer of chaos to the already delicate operation.

Foreshadowing: The nursemaid encounter occurs as part of the escalating misfortune during the first ascent attempt.

• nursemaid
• collision
• stairs
• chaos

As the chaos continues with the piano sliding and tumbling, a passing cop gets swept into the fray when the piano slips, leading to further trouble and adding to the escalating comic mishaps.

Foreshadowing: The cop's involvement follows the nursemaid collision, further complicating the delivery.

• cop
• police
• chaos
• involvement
• stairs