"Thicker Than Water" with Laurel and Hardy (1935)

This was the last “two-reeler” made by Oliver and Hardy, the iconic comedy duo of the 1920’s and 30’s. During the 1950’s, when I was growing up, these films were shown on TV each afternoon, right after the Three Stooges. Then it was time to eat dinner. You can imagine the problems attendant to expecting your child to act civilized at the table after watching an hour of those two acts! Food fight comes to mind.

In this story, Ollie is in hot water with the wife over some money that was supposed to be used to make a payment on their furniture. He lent it to Stan, who in turn paid Mrs. Hardy for his room and board. Stan then convinces Ollie that it would be a much better idea if he were to simply use his savings account to pay for the furniture outright. This sets off a chain of events which leads to a very funny climax.

While watching the interplay between Stan and Ollie with Daphne Pollard as Mrs. Hardy, and James Finlayson as the furniture man, I couldn’t help but notice how much Abbott and Costello, as well as the Three Stooges, were influenced in some of their routines. “Who’s on First?” is just a variation on a theme first used by Laurel and Hardy. And the tedious tasks which always lead to slapstick comedy in the Three Stooges films can all be traced back to Laurel and Hardy as well.

In modern times; for me being the 1960’s; Stan Laurel’s influence on Dick Van Dyke could not be denied. He even received a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award at the Oscars in 1961, just 4 years before his death. Hey, in comedy, timing is everything.

Stan Laurel was Charlie Chaplin’s understudy in the British Comedy Troupe led by Fred Karno and appeared with him in “Fred Karno’s Army". He even came to America with Chaplin in 1916 when Fred Karno took the troupe to America. The two quickly became immersed in the silent films which were being turned out and both went on to become comic legends, with Laurel even winning an Academy Award in 1932 for his appearance in “The Music Box.” He remained a British citizen until his death.

Oliver Hardy was born in Harlem, Georgia which is the site of the Laurel and Hardy Museum. He attended the University of Georgia where he studied Law, sang, and danced ballroom style. For a man of his physical stature he is said to have been extremely graceful and light on his feet. Approached by the Lubin film Company to play the role of a large man in one of their silent films, he soon “caught the bug” and headed to California where he teamed up with Stan Laurel.

This film was directed by James W. Horne and produced by the Hal Roach Studios for Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The following link will take you to the Laurel and Hardy website and museum, which is based in Harlem, Georgia where Oliver Hardy was born.

http://www.harlemga.org/museum.htm

"You Nazty Spy" with The Three Stooges (1940)

Charlie Chaplin always gets the credit for satirizing Adolph Hitler in his film “The Great Dictator”, particularly the scene in which he does a ballet with a globe. We were on the verge of war with Germany when his film was released, but before the war even began, there were others who saw the insanity unfolding in Europe, and lampooned it for what it represented. There were very few who were willing to tackle the “elephant in the room” before the war began. Even the Marx Brothers; who were Jewish; didn’t tackle Hitler with “Duck Soup” until after the war began. No one did; except for the Three Stooges.

In this, one of the most outrageously funny anti-Nazi films, the 3 Stooges, who; just like the Marx Brothers, were Jewish; fight the battle for freedom with one of the best weapons known to mankind; ridicule. When seen in the light of humor, all bullies look small and foolish. When the spotlight of humanity is cast upon them, they shrink from the large ogres which they would have us believe them to be, becoming objects of mirth instead.

This is great political satire from the legendary Kings of Slapstick.

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New York City Police Officer Helps Homeless Man

Any words here would be superfluous.

"Limelight" with Charles Chaplin and Claire Bloom

This film is Charlie Chaplins "swan song." He plays Calvero,a has been vaudevillian who comes home inebriated one day to find Terry, a fellow lodger played by Claire Bloom, has attempted to commit suicide. The landlady wants her out, Calvero wants her to stay. He takes her in to his room and nurses her back to health and a career on stage as a dancer. But, predictably, Terry's career rises as Calvero's falls.

As Terry falls in love with him Calvero reasons with her that their ages must keep them apart. The past is gone now and the present and future must hold forth. But he still wants that old feeling of being on top, even just one more time. Terry becomes the vehicle for this success. Along the way you will see him imitating a rock, a tree, a flower, etc. The "Phyllis and Henry Circus of Fleas" is a wonderful number, performed with vocals by Mr. Chaplin. The use of his body to convey an image, even while speaking, is still remarkable today.

The most interesting thing about this movie is the sound. It exists where you least expect it, and at other times is lacking where it "normally" should be. For instance, the street scene at the beginning of the film is silent. There are children playing and horse carriages roaming the streets, yet the only sound heard is the organ grinder and some faint background "noises."

Brilliant support from Buster Keaton and Nigel Bruce, and absolutely flawless direction and writing by Mr. Chaplin, all come together to make this the definitive film of Mr. Chaplin's long career. During the scenes where he has gone back to being a street clown and passing the hat for tips, he remarks, "I don't really mind the streets. I suppose it's the tramp in me."

I haven't seen this film in over 35 years. I just wish I knew why.