The Devil's Brother (1933)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Hal Roach
Charley Rogers

Writer:

Jeanie Macpherson (adaptation)

Release Date:

5 May 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

In the early eighteenth century, Northern Italy was terrorized by bandits. Boldest among the robber-chieftains was Fra Diavolo (The Devil's Brother), who masqueraded as the elegant Marquis de San Marco in order to mingle with the rich. Great lords lost their gold to him-great ladies their hearts.

Plot:

Two wannabe bandits join the service of a dashing nobleman, who secretly masquerades as Fra Diavolo, a notorious outlaw>

Plot Keywords:

Firing Squad | Innkeeper | Wine | Finger Wiggle | Well

Cast

Stan Laurel	...	Stanlio
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollio
Dennis King	...	Fra Diavolo / Marquis de San Marco
Thelma Todd	...	Lady Pamela Rocburg
James Finlayson	...	Lord Rocburg
Lucile Browne	...	Zerlina
Arthur Pierson	...	Lorenzo
Henry Armetta	...	Matteo
Matt McHugh	...	Francesco
Lane Chandler	...	Lieutenant
Nina Quartero	...	Rita (as Nena Quartaro)
Wilfred Lucas	...	Alessandro (scenes deleted)
James C. Morton	...	Woodchopper

Also Known As:

Bogus Bandits (USA) (reissue title)
Fra Diavolo (UK)
The Virtuous Tramps (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G (TV rating) | Australia:PG | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

In this movie, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are named respectively "Stanlio" and "Ollio". These are the names by which they are still known in Italy.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of the noose during the hanging sequence.

Quotes:

Ollio: I'm not afraid of poverty.
Stanlio: But I am.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Babes in Toyland (1934)

Mr. Laurel & Mr. Hardy Fall In Among Thieves

Two hapless misfits find themselves working for Fra Diavolo (THE DEVIL'S BROTHER), the notorious singing bandit of the early 18th century.

Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy are at the top of their form - high praise indeed - in this lavish, but rather obscure, rendition of Daniel-François Auber's popular operetta. Laurel's frightened squeak & Ollie's pout of wounded dignity are on display, as is the easy camaraderie and genuine affection of these two gentle souls. Here they are simply allowed to do what they did best: amuse. One hilarious sequence follows another: Stan attempting to hang Ollie (really!); their slapstick endeavor to capture the bandit; the Boys helpless in an uncontrollable fit of laughter. Director Hal Roach understood their comedic style better than anyone, and he lets them make the most of their time before the cameras. Their every moment captured on film is precious; each minute they are missing so that subplots may develop is decried as an intolerable waste.

In the title role, British opera star Dennis King monopolizes much of the screen time. A good deal of his vocalizing is unintelligible, but he plays the charming rogue well. However, it is important to notice that despite his charm, he is one of the most dangerous villains the Boys encounter in any of their films. Beneath the thin veneer of civility, he is little more than a murderous, thieving rapscallion. He has nothing but his handsome face & dulcet tones to separate him from a Karloff or a Lugosi.

Peppery James Finlayson & lovely, tragic Thelma Todd play silly, vain aristocrats who have more jewels than common sense. Both of these wonderful performers were always welcome in roles large or small - his bristling mustache and popping eyes & her classic beauty so often the focal point of great humor. But here they have very little contact with the Boys and so much of their comedic talent is rather dissipated in mildly adulterous scenes with the Bandit Chief. Pity...

There is a subplot involving the Innkeeper's daughter and her forbidden love of a young military officer, but fortunately it is not allowed to intrude too much. Henry Armetta as the Innkeeper, however, is given some very funny moments as he tries without success to duplicate Stan's intricate hand games.