Filmed: October 19th to October 26th, 1931 Released: January 23rd, 1932 Produced by Hal Roach Directed by James Parrott Photographed by Art Lloyd Dialogue by H.M. Walker Main Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Blanche Payson “When the cat's away - The mice start looking up telephone numbers” "The round Oliver Hardy and the… Continue reading 61. Helpmates (1932)
Filming began May 7th, 1931. Released September 19th, 1931. Two Reels Main Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Gertrude Astor, Linda Loredo, Charlie Hall Produced by Hal Roach, Directed by James W. Horne, Sound by H. M. Walker "Mr. Hardy holds that every husband should tell his wife the whole truth - - Mr. Laurel… Continue reading 56. Come Clean (1931)
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)
'Brats' is a really interesting film and I say this for several reasons. Firstly, it's one of the only films where Laurel and Hardy carry the whole film completely on their own, with no supporting cast. Second, its the first film where we see the boys playing dual roles. In 'Brats' the boys play both… Continue reading 45. Brats (1930)
'Blotto' is certainly a fan favourite, based on the amount of times I've seen clips posted on social media fan pages. This is mostly due to just one scene at the end of the film, where the boys are laughing uncontrollably, in the belief that they are drunk (or blotto). It's quite an interesting film… Continue reading 44. Blotto (1930)
Filming began October 30, 1929, to November 11, 1929 Released January 4, 1930, Two Reels Produced by Hal Roach, Directed by James Parrott, Photographed by George Stevens, Sound by Elmer Raguse Main Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, James Finlayson, Anders Randolf After their brief… Continue reading 43. Night Owls (1930)
Just like the silent short 'Hats Off' (1927), The Rogue Song has frustrated Laurel & Hardy fans for decades, as it is another 'lost' film. However, whereas 'Hats Off' is lost in its entirety, fragments of varying length and quality of 'The Rogue Song' have surfaced across the globe over the years, giving us tantalising glimpses… Continue reading 42. The Rogue Song (1930) (Lost Film)
As soon as 'They Go Boom' was in the can, the Roach Studios closed down for their annual month-long vacation. This was certainly a well-earned break for the boys who had already turned out twelve fantastic comedy shorts in the first seven months of that year alone, not including their cameo appearance in 'The Hollywood… Continue reading 41. The Hoose-Gow (1929)
Despite its title, 'They Go Boom!' is not an explosive Laurel & Hardy comedy - at least not compared with their own high standards anyway! Yet, to be fair, it does have its funny moments, as you would expect with Messrs. Laurel, Hardy, and Charlie Hall pitted once more against each other. Although I never like… Continue reading 40. They Go Boom! (1929)
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)
