The Sleuth (1925)

Directors:

Joe Rock, Harry Sweet

Writer:

Tay Garnett (titles)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Glen Cavender, Alberta Vaughn

Cast

Cast overview:
Stan Laurel	...	Webster Dingle
Glen Cavender	...	The husband
Alberta Vaughn	...	The wife
Anita Garvin	...	The other woman

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

joe rock | drag | detective | pipe

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1925 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joe Rock Comedies (I), Standard Photoplay Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Even amateur detectives should find this funny

Here's a fast, fun, and very disjointed Stan Laurel comedy. The setup is well-worn and basic: woman hires detective Stan Laurel to catch her philandering and criminal husband. Craziness follows immediately. You might think you've seen the film before when the sleuth's first idea is to catch the husband by dressing in drag, but Stan Laurel, playing a very different character than the one that would bring him fame next to Oliver Hardy, adds a lot of panache to the performance and makes it very funny instead of tired. His comic mind works the same magic with a great vase-over-head sequence, and the gag that follows after Stan steps in some spilt powder is hilarious and memorable. Glen Cavender as the husband gives Stan-in-drag some disturbing leers.