Do Detectives Think? (1927)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Fred Guiol

Writers:

Hal Roach (writer)
H.M. Walker (titles)

Release Date:

20 November 1927 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Plot:

An escaped convict (Young) is out to kill the judge (Finlayson) who sentenced him. Two inept detectives (Laurel & Hardy) are hired to guard the judge.

Plot Keywords:

Laurel And Hardy | Silent | Two Reeler | Silent Film

Cast

Stan Laurel	...	Ferdinand Finkleberry
Oliver Hardy	...	Sherlock Pinkham
James Finlayson	...	Judge Foozle
Noah Young	...	The Tipton Slasher
Viola Richard	...	Mrs. Foozle
Frank Brownlee	...	Detective agency boss
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles A. Bachman	...	Officer
Will Stanton	...	Killer's pal
Charley Young	...	Juror

Runtime:

USA:19 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Australia:G | Germany:6 | UK:U

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

The role of the real butler was originally slated for Syd Crossley.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Going Bye-Bye! (1934)

Pretty Good Comedy

When Laurel and Hardy are on the case, you don't expect Sherlock Holmes-quality deductions, but you know there will be some laughs. This comedy is a bit uneven, but pretty good overall. Stanley and Oliver are detectives who are hired to protect a judge whose life has been threatened, and they get some reasonable mileage out of this simple situation. They are helped out by frequent supporting player James Finlayson as the judge, and by Noah Young, who is suitably menacing as an escaped convict. It's not among their best comedies, but it has some good moments, and is certainly worth watching for any fan of Laurel and Hardy.