Following 'Below Zero', 'Hog Wild' is a return to the gag-packed comedy format that merrily bounces along to a jaunty soundtrack, and I would say, is arguably one of Laurel and Hardy's best short subjects. It's such a simple plot - Ollie has to fix a radio aerial onto his roof, oh yes...and to handicap … Continue reading 47. Hog Wild (1930)
For Stan, Ollie, their wives and of course the gout-ridden Uncle Edgar Kennedy, this was far from a perfect day. Yet, all of the film's ingredients and especially the talent on display make the film almost the perfect comedy. Indeed Glenn Mitchell in his 'Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia' describes 'Perfect Day' as one of the … Continue reading 39. Perfect Day (1929)
Our last blog focused on the wonderful 1929 short 'Angora Love'. As well as being a typically funny Laurel & Hardy comedy, it's also a very significant film in Stan & Ollie's canon, as it has the distinction of being the very last silent film they ever made together (with the exception of 'The Tree … Continue reading Tipping the hat to Laurel & Hardy’s Silent Shorts (1921 – 1929)
What's the one thing a die-hard Laurel & Hardy fan wants more than anything? Well, arguably its to find a Hal Roach era film that they've never seen before. It's the Holy Grail. To most fans, finding a copy of 'Hat's Off' (1927) or the boys' remaining missing sequences from The Rogue Song (1930) are … Continue reading 33. Bacon Grabbers (1929)
"'Big Business' is regarded today as the greatest of all the Laurel & Hardy silent comedies", is the opening sentence to Randy Skretvedt's entry for this silent classic. Glenn Mitchell in his 'Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia' goes even further to say "Big Business is probably the greatest comedy ever filmed...(and) is by far the more consistently … Continue reading 31. Big Business (1929)
'Two Tars' is a spectacular return to form for Laurel & Hardy - and thank goodness for that! This is exactly what was required following the confusing and, without wanting to sound melodramatic, traumatic experience of watching the boys' previous film 'Early to Bed' (see the blog for details). What a relief to read the … Continue reading 25. Two Tars (1928)
The end of 1927 heralded a significant threat to Laurel & Hardy's careers, just as they were starting to take off. 'Leave 'Em Laughing' was released at the end of January 1928, but was written and filmed in October of the previous year - the very same month that saw the release, by Warner Bros., of … Continue reading 18. Leave ‘Em Laughing (1928)
