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AN EVENING WITH LAUREL & HARDY
DOUBLE WHOOPEE
U.S.A., 1928 2 reels
production company: Hal Roach direction: Lewis Foster
CAST
Laurel and Hardy, with Jean Harlow in a small part.
After appearing in films as independent comics, Laurel and Hardy joined up in 1926 and made many silent two-reelers, of which this film is a good example. There is little or no plot, Laurel and Hardy being initially mistaken for visiting royalty in a large hotel lobby, but ultimately having to resume their correct status as doormen. All the brilliant timing and by-play that they made famous is exploited to the full: Hardy's coy delight in moments of triumph and his pitiful direct appeal for audience sympathy when things go wrong; Laurel's child-like innocence and occasional, unexpected tantrums which result in a finger being jabbed in Mr. Hardy's eye. Most of all, more of those wonderfully controlled exhibitions of civilized sadism are on view, the hapless victims patiently taking the worst that the boys can dish out before responding in kind. Two additional elements make Double Whoopee unique among Laurel and Hardy films. There is a glorious, unrestrained take-off of the Von Stroheim of Foolish Wives and a startling appearance by Jean Harlow, exuding glamour and sex-appeal in one short but delicious comedy sequence.
LAUGHING GRAVY
U.S.A., 1931 2 reels
PRODUCTION COMPANY : M . G . M .
direction: James W. Home
CAST
Laurel and Hardy.
Laughing Gravy is the name of a dog befriended by the pair, who have to fight off the unwelcome attentions of a singularly pugnacious landlord in order to retain him. The action is faster than in many of their films and the knockabout is more aggressive than usual, leaving the audience in a state of mental and physical exhaustion. Typical of the tricks learnt during an apprenticeship with Mack Sennett is the great final crash into the barrel of frozen rainwater.
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