The Hoose-Gow (1929)

Stanley and Oliver protest that they were only bystanders to the raid, but are hauled off to a prison labor camp anyway. They procede with their usual mayhem, Stanley getting his pick stuck... See full summary »

Director:

James Parrott

Writer:

H.M. Walker (story)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Chet Brandenburg

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie

Storyline

Stanley and Oliver protest that they were only bystanders to the raid, but are hauled off to a prison labor camp anyway. They procede with their usual mayhem, Stanley getting his pick stuck in Oliver's coat, Oliver chopping down a tree which just happens to contain the guard lookout post. When the Governor's party happens by, Oliver accidentally pokes a hole in his car's radiator, then attempts to stop the leak by filling the radiator with rice. The result is melee with all involved throwing clumps of soggy rice at each other.

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Plot Keywords:

radiator | rice | prison | governor | apple | 

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Taglines:

Neither Mr. Laurel nor Mr. Hardy had any thoughts of doing wrong. As a matter of fact, they had no thoughts of any kind.

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Genres:

Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

En la prisión

Filming Locations:

Arnaz Ranch - Robertson Blvd between Beverlywood St. & David Avenue, Rincon de Los Bueyes, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

18 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oliver Hardy was injured during the filming of the scene in which Stan Laurel keeps nicking him with a pickaxe. A rubber pickaxe was originally to have been used for the scene, but it was decided that it looked too fake, in action, so a real one was substituted. Hardy moved a little too close to Laurel during the latter's backswing and received a very real cut from the pickaxe on his rear.

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Goofs

At the end of the film the car backs into the truck, just before the impact two barrels of whitewash tip over.

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Connections

Featured in The Crazy World of Laurel and Hardy (1967)

User Reviews

They were only watching the raid.

An early Laurel & Hardy talkie, `The Hoose-Gow' is strongest in its first half…the pathetic attempts at escape, the sheer terror on Stan's face as he tries to dislodge the apple from his mouth, the absolute fear and despondency of two child-souls set down amongst a hardened prison population. Also priceless: Ollie's guileless explanation to guard Tiny Sanford: "Honest, officer, we were only watching the raid." Somehow, coming from Stan and Ollie, the statement rings of truth. In the work camp, things settle into the traditional Stan and Ollie mealtime gags. When they chop down the lookout's post it's another of those gags of anticipation which was such an integral part of their humor. And it's to their credit that most of the film is shot on location, something uncommonly problematic for the early sound technology of the late 20s. There is also something wistfully nostalgic about those Arcadian, windswept eucalyptus-lined locations of southern California, so unpopulated in 1929. Once they get involved in the creamed rice fight at the end, it descends into rather standard fare.