{"id":30140,"date":"2019-01-11T11:37:20","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T16:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=30140"},"modified":"2019-01-11T11:37:20","modified_gmt":"2019-01-11T16:37:20","slug":"the-laurel-hardy-comedy-collection-dvd-digital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/11\/the-laurel-hardy-comedy-collection-dvd-digital\/","title":{"rendered":"The Laurel & Hardy Comedy Collection (DVD\/Digital)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>With \u201cStan & Ollie\u201d now in theaters, fans might find the newest release from Mill Creek of some interest, as it gathers a lot of interesting relics from Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. While it by no means features some of their best shorts and features, it definitely will spark some conversation by hardcore movie buffs, as it includes a list of movies that feature both comedic actors, and their shorts and films that they worked on as solo performers. It\u2019s not the best collection but it\u2019s a fascinating release that will help fans of the comedy team dissect a lot of the work that both men did outside of their team as well as what worked, and what just didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

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Among the two disc set are Laurel and Hardy Shorts and Features including the silent \u201cThe Lucky Dog\u201d from 1921, the pair\u2019s first on-screen appearance together, the Stan Laurel directed \u201cYes, Yes, Nanette\u201d from 1925, and \u201cThe Stolen Jools\u201d from 1931. There are two public domain features including 1939\u2019s \u201cThe Flying Deuces,\u201d the 1943 WWII propaganda film \u201cThe Tree in the Test Tube,\u201d the second public domain feature is 1951\u2019s \u201cUtopia,\u201d the team\u2019s last film together where both men show their considerable age and don\u2019t quite hit their highs as they used to. Disc Two includes three silent solo Stan Laurel films including 1922\u2019s \u201cMud & Sand,\u201d 1924\u2019s \u201cWest of Hot Dog,\u201d and some entertaining Stan Laurel home movies. These include clips of the pair playing with children, fishing, and engaging in general activities with what we can assume is their family and friends.<\/p>\n

There are three silent Stan Laurel films pre-Laurel & Hardy including 1923\u2019s \u201cOrange and Lemons,\u201d 1923\u2019s \u201cThe Soilers\u201d which is a spoof of the gold rush film \u201cThe Spoilers,\u201d and 1923\u2019s \u201cWhite Wings.\u201d There\u2019s a slew of Oliver Hardy solo acting silent films including 1917\u2019s \u201cThe Hobo,\u201d 1919\u2019s \u201cHop To It, Bellhop,\u201d 1922\u2019s \u201cThe Saw Mill,\u201d 1922\u2019s \u201cThe Show,\u201d 1924\u2019s \u201cKid Speed,\u201d and 1925\u2019s \u201cThe Paperhanger\u2019s Helper,\u201d also known as \u201cStick Around.\u201d Finally there are Hal Roach Studios Oliver Hardy silent shorts before he \u201cLaurel and Hardy.\u201d Featured is 1925\u2019s \u201cShould Sailors Marry?\u201d, 1926\u2019s \u201cAlong Came Auntie,\u201d 1926\u2019s \u201cBromo & Juliet,\u201d 1926\u2019s \u201cCrazy Like a Fox,\u201d 1926\u2019s \u201cCrazy Like a Fox,\u201d 1926\u2019s \u201cEnough to Do\u201d also known as \u201cWandering Papas,\u201d and finally 1926\u2019s \u201cThundering Fleas,\u201d an \u201cOur Gang\u201d short where Oliver Hardy plays a police man trying to foil the group\u2019s antics.<\/p>\n

The DVD release includes a Digital Copy, the caveat being that many of these films aren\u2019t restored, so your experience with the titles may vary. Many of the films have cracking and hissing, while there are noticeable specks and blemishes on some of the older films, including 1923\u2019s \u201cWhite Wings\u201d which is also of pretty crummy quality. That said, the set while imperfect, might make a great addition to completists of classic comedy, silent films, and \u201cLaurel & Hardy.\u201d I had a good time mining the material, as I love the comedy duo.<\/p>\n