Classic Laurel & Hardy

Apr 10th
Manifest Theatre, Manningtree

On the theme of matrimonial harmony, starting with an amusing silent with many gags that popped up in their later sound shorts (the soda fountain sequence in particular), and finishing off with the brilliant Helpmates.

Should Married Men Go Home?**
(US 1928. 20m. bw. silent; Stan pesters the Hardys so that he can go golfing with Ollie, where a mud riot ensues.; w: Leo McCarey, James Parrott; d: James Parrott; s: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, Kay Deslys, Edna Marion, Viola Richard.)

Thicker Than Water*
(US 1935. 20m. bw; Ollie spends his wife's money on a grandfather clock. The wife takes then knocks him out cold and Stan helps Ollie with a blood transplant which mixes the two of them up.; w: Stan Laurel; d: James Horne; s: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Daphne Pollard, James Finlayson.)
+ their last comedy short


Hog Wild***
(US 1930. 20m. bw; Oliver fixes the radio aerial on top of the house, and Stan offers to help...; w: H.M. Walker, Leo McCarey; d: James Parrott; s: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Fay Holderness.)

+ STAN: "Do you mind if I help you?"

OLLIE: "I don't mind, that is if you'll help me!"


Twice Two*
(US 1933. 20m. bw; Stan and Ollie are married to each others' twin sister and and spend a chaotic anniversary dinner.; d: James Parrott; s: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy; ph: Art Lloyd.)

Helpmates***
(US 1931. 20m. bw; Ollie has a wild party and Stan tries to help him clean up before the wife comes home.; w: H.M. Walker; d: James Parrott; s: Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel, Blanche Payson.)

+ see also 100 Favourite Films