Brats (1930)

Laurel and Hardy's bid for a quiet evening of checkers and pool is constantly interrupted by their squabbling brats little Ollie and little Stanley.

Director:

James Parrott

Writers:

Nat Hoffberg (titles), Leo McCarey (story),

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan Sr. / Stanley Jr.
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie Sr. / Oliver Jr.

Storyline

Stanley and Oliver are trying to spend a relaxing night at home playing checkers, but the antics of their mischievous sons keep interrupting their recreation. Exasperated, the fathers send their misbehaving offspring to bed and start in on a furniture-destroying game of billiards. Upstairs, the kids continue to cause a ruckus and leave the bathtub faucet running full force. Finally, Oliver asks if they'll go to sleep if he gives them each a drink of water, then heads for the bathroom door.

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Plot Keywords:

checkers | pool | brat | laurel and hardy | billiards | 

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Taglines:

Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy remained at home to take care of the children -- Their wives had gone out to target practice.

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Genres:

Comedy | Short | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Kind in der Wanne

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The framed photograph next to the clock on the mantelpiece is of Jean Harlow.

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Goofs

The moves in the checkers games don't make any sense.

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Quotes

Stan Sr.: If you must make a noise, make it quietly.
Ollie Sr.: Make a noise quietly. Hmph!

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Connections

Version of Glückliche Kindheit (1931)

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Soundtracks

"Go to Sleep, My Baby"
(uncredited)
Sung by Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel
Traditional

User Reviews

Laurel and Hardy as their own kids

The 'Brats' of the title are mini-Laurel and mini-Hardy, working with over-sized props to give the impression of kids into everything from a bathtub to a wooden chest of drawers.

We find their dads playing a game of draughts (with suitable cheating) while the sons cause havoc and noise. After they are banished upstairs, the kids manage to half-wreck the place and set up a predictable, but still funny, pay-off.

For the facial reactions, the clever set-ups, and Mr Hardy's singing (trying in vain to get the tots to sleep), 'Brats' scores high on the comedy list. There's genuinely good stuff in this short.