Habeas Corpus (1928)

Loony scientist (Carle) hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.

Directors:

James Parrott, Leo McCarey

Writers:

Leo McCarey, H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Richard Carle

Cast

Cast overview:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie
Richard Carle	...	Professor Padilla
Charley Rogers	...	Ledoux - the Butler (as Charlie Rogers)

Storyline

Loony scientist (Carle) hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.

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Plot Keywords:

cemetery | bat | falling wall | two reeler | pratfall | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paura al cimitero

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (music and effects) Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Vitaphone soundtrack with the original music and sound effects are no longer lost. Interestingly, one of the music pieces used is what we all know as the "Alfred Hitchcock theme"!

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Connections

Edited into Laurel und Hardy auf der Jagd nach dem Mammon (1973)

User Reviews

Original 1928 Vitaphone music and effects disks improve this short.

Habeas Corpus has been described as a routine slapstick not typical Laurel and Hardy comedy. With the dawn of sound, the Hal Roach team must have put some thought on creating a Vitaphone music and effects disks to accompany this 1928 short. When viewed this way, it brings the film new life and is far from typical. The spooky hand clapping scene in the graveyard is a prime example geared toward the novel experimental sound medium. I have seen this film three different ways: Silent, new track added for the British DVD, and the original Vitaphone soundtrack on an out of print US DVD. In my opinion, the Vitaphone version is the best way to see this short. NOTE: One of the music cues "Dance of the Marionettes" later became Alfred Hitchcock's TV theme.