The Second 100 Years (1927)

Two convicts (Laurel & Hardy), in an escape attempt, tunnel into the warden's office, instead. They then disguise themselves as painters and walk out the front gate. Needing new clothes, ... See full summary »

Director:

Fred Guiol

Writers:

Leo McCarey (story), H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charlie Hall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stan Laurel	...	Little Goofy
Oliver Hardy	...	Big Goofy
Charlie Hall	...	Convict
James Finlayson	...	Gov. Browne Van Dyke
Otto Fries	...	Lecoque
Rosemary Theby	...	Dinner Guest
Ellinor Vanderveer	...	Countess de Cognac (as Ellinor Van der Veer)
Dorothy Coburn	...	Flapper
Tiny Sandford	...	Guard
William Gillespie	...	Extra
Frank Brownlee	...	Prison Warden
Edgar Dearing	...	Officer
Charles A. Bachman	...	Officer
Bob O'Connor	...	Voitrex (as Bob O'Conor)
Eugene Pallette	...	Dinner Guest

Storyline

Two convicts (Laurel & Hardy), in an escape attempt, tunnel into the warden's office, instead. They then disguise themselves as painters and walk out the front gate. Needing new clothes, they steal suits from visiting dignitaries, take their places in a limousine, and are delivered back to the same prison for a tour.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | painting | time in title | cherry | two reeler | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dick und Doof: Dem Henker entronnen

Filming Locations:

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first Laurel and Hardy film to be released by MGM.

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Connections

Edited into The Golden Age of Comedy (1957)

User Reviews

Stan 'n' Ollie cause chaos in jail!

THE SECOND HUNDRED YEARS

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Sound format: Silent

(Black and white - Short film)

Two jail birds (Laurel and Hardy) escape from custody and assume the identities of French dignitaries who turn out to be prison inspectors (Otto Fries and Bob O'Conor) on their way to the very jail from which L&H have just escaped! Havoc ensues.

One of the best of L&H's silent comedies, and certainly their best collaboration with director Fred Guiol. This one features a full range of amusing set-pieces, including an inspired sequence in which The Boys elude a nosey cop by pretending to be painters (only to end up painting everything in sight, including someone's car!), and the lengthy scene in which they're mistaken for visiting VIP's and received at the prison as guests of honor by warden James Finlayson, only to cause chaos at the dinner table. The escalation of comic incidents is entirely believable throughout. However, the film also contains an offensive sight gag, when L&H accidentally slap white paint all over the face of an African-American passer-by.